Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline
Purpose: The aims of this study were: (1) to profile anthropometric, physical fitness, and specific throwing strength characteristics among 14–18 years boys and girls throwers; (2) to evaluate which factors vary with age, and which correlate with specific throwing strength; (3) to identify the measu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10118 |
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| author | Yifan Zhao Kewei Zhao |
| author_facet | Yifan Zhao Kewei Zhao |
| author_sort | Yifan Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: The aims of this study were: (1) to profile anthropometric, physical fitness, and specific throwing strength characteristics among 14–18 years boys and girls throwers; (2) to evaluate which factors vary with age, and which correlate with specific throwing strength; (3) to identify the measured variables that best predict specific throwing strength. Methods: Anthropometric, physical fitness, and specific throwing strength of 154 boys and 104 girls, who participated in track-and-field throw (Shot put, Javelin, Discus and Hammer throw) from four age categories (U15, U16, U17, U18), were measured in September 2022. The differences and correlations in parameters among different age, sex and throwing groups were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric testing. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the variables that best explain the specific throwing strength. Results: Disparities in height between boys and girls of the same age have consistently existed, however, the dissimilarity in weight tends to diminish as they grow older. Boys and girls of identical age groups exhibit noteworthy disparities in terms of speed, agility, and jumping prowess. These disparities tend to amplify as they advance in age. Significant differences were observed among boys of different ages in Height (<i>p</i> = 0.038), Body Mass (<i>p</i> = 0.02), BMI (<i>p</i> = 0.025), sit and reach test (<i>p</i> = 0.035), standing long jump (<i>p</i> = 0.012), standing triple jump (<i>p</i> < 0.01), forward overhead medicine ball throw (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and the hexagon agility test (<i>p</i> < 0.01). No differences were found in anthropometric measurements among girls, but differences were found in the hexagon agility test (<i>p</i> = 0.017) and plank test (<i>p</i> = 0.041). Specific throwing strength exhibits variations due to differences in events, age, and gender. Additionally, physical fitness performance, especially lower limb power, linear sprint speed, forward overhead medicine ball throw and backward overhead shot throw, have a high correlation with specific throwing strength. Conclusions: These findings broaden the existing knowledge base for coaches and practitioners, enabling them to discern the distinctive attributes of track and field throwers and capture the crucial physical markers that are pivotal for nurturing the progression of track-and-field throwers. The study suggests that throwers aged 14 to 18 should strive to comprehensively cultivate their athletic abilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:05:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86287dbc30bf40d9bb09b5799c6c9c9e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:05:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-86287dbc30bf40d9bb09b5799c6c9c9e2023-11-19T09:23:16ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-09-0113181011810.3390/app131810118Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport DisciplineYifan Zhao0Kewei Zhao1China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, ChinaChina Institute of Sport Science, Beijing 100061, ChinaPurpose: The aims of this study were: (1) to profile anthropometric, physical fitness, and specific throwing strength characteristics among 14–18 years boys and girls throwers; (2) to evaluate which factors vary with age, and which correlate with specific throwing strength; (3) to identify the measured variables that best predict specific throwing strength. Methods: Anthropometric, physical fitness, and specific throwing strength of 154 boys and 104 girls, who participated in track-and-field throw (Shot put, Javelin, Discus and Hammer throw) from four age categories (U15, U16, U17, U18), were measured in September 2022. The differences and correlations in parameters among different age, sex and throwing groups were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric testing. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the variables that best explain the specific throwing strength. Results: Disparities in height between boys and girls of the same age have consistently existed, however, the dissimilarity in weight tends to diminish as they grow older. Boys and girls of identical age groups exhibit noteworthy disparities in terms of speed, agility, and jumping prowess. These disparities tend to amplify as they advance in age. Significant differences were observed among boys of different ages in Height (<i>p</i> = 0.038), Body Mass (<i>p</i> = 0.02), BMI (<i>p</i> = 0.025), sit and reach test (<i>p</i> = 0.035), standing long jump (<i>p</i> = 0.012), standing triple jump (<i>p</i> < 0.01), forward overhead medicine ball throw (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and the hexagon agility test (<i>p</i> < 0.01). No differences were found in anthropometric measurements among girls, but differences were found in the hexagon agility test (<i>p</i> = 0.017) and plank test (<i>p</i> = 0.041). Specific throwing strength exhibits variations due to differences in events, age, and gender. Additionally, physical fitness performance, especially lower limb power, linear sprint speed, forward overhead medicine ball throw and backward overhead shot throw, have a high correlation with specific throwing strength. Conclusions: These findings broaden the existing knowledge base for coaches and practitioners, enabling them to discern the distinctive attributes of track and field throwers and capture the crucial physical markers that are pivotal for nurturing the progression of track-and-field throwers. The study suggests that throwers aged 14 to 18 should strive to comprehensively cultivate their athletic abilities.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10118athleticsadolescentthrowingphysical fitnessanthropometric |
| spellingShingle | Yifan Zhao Kewei Zhao Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline Applied Sciences athletics adolescent throwing physical fitness anthropometric |
| title | Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline |
| title_full | Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline |
| title_fullStr | Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline |
| title_short | Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline |
| title_sort | anthropometric measurements physical fitness performance and specific throwing strength in adolescent track and field throwers age sex and sport discipline |
| topic | athletics adolescent throwing physical fitness anthropometric |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10118 |
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