Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Institute of Scientific Researches for Sport Reserve Training Technologies, Kazan
Khakimullina D.R., e-mail: dinlynx@mail.ru; Kashevarov G.S., e-mail: kaschewarow@mail.ru; Ahmetov I.I., e-mail: genoterra@mail.ru
Specialized sport activity places special demands on anthropometric and morphological characteristics of an athlete, which are affecting functional capabilities and biomechanical parameters of motor activity. The purpose of the study was to determine model anthropometric characteristics of the most successful athletes of the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games and to compare them with each other. Anthropometric data on the athletes were obtained using internet searches (www.sochi2014.com, www.wikipedia.org, www.olympic.org). Comparative and correlation analyses of anthropometric and competitive indices of athletes participating in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics were performed. We analyzed height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of bobsleigh racers, skeleton racers, lugers, cross-country skiers, short-trackers, biathletes and alpine skiers (slalom), included in the top ten of medal standings of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi (N=215) and Vancouver (N=177). There were no statistically significant differences in the anthropometric data between 2010 and 2014 Olympic Game athletes (except for the slalom where in 2014 higher results were achieved by women with higher stature). There were differences in anthropometric parameters between athletes involved in luge, bobsleigh, skeleton, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, short-track and speed skating, as well as between athletes having different role specialization (according to the position in the crew or the distance). In particular, bobsleigh racers were heavier and taller than athletes involved in luge and skeleton, which is linked with the specificity of athletic activities, as well as with the weight of the sports equipment. Correlation analysis revealed association between total body height and weight of bobsleigh crew and competition results (two-person crew: r=0,83, p=0,003, four-person crew: r=0,64, p=0,04), indicating that crews with the tallest and heaviest athletes were most successful. We also found positive relationship between the weight of sports equipment and BMI of female bobsleigh athletes. Furthermore, statistically significant differences in height and weight were found between athletes in the crew (2-person and 4-person crews). Particularly, variance analysis of four-person bobsleigh crews revealed that brakemen were the tallest and the heaviest; they statistically differ by stature and weight from the pilots (p=0,006 and p=0,02, respectively) and the pushers (p=0,02 and p=0,002, respectively). Moreover, alpine skiers are taller and heavier than biathletes, short-trackers and cross-country skiers. The results of the current study confirmed the thesis that certain anthropometric characteristics were one of the success factors in the Winter Olympics. These findings can be used for the correction of the athletes’ training process.
sports anthropology, anthropometric data, Olympic Games, athletes, model characteristics, body length, body weight, body mass index
Цит.: Khakimullina D.R., Kashevarov G.S., Ahmetov I.I. Model anthropometric characteristics of participants of the Winter Olympic Games (years 2010 and 2014) // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2016; 2/2016; с. 85-91
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