Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Body composition of certain excellent athletes has been reported, however, few studies concerning the body composition of excellent long jumpers in China.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the body composition and distribution of excellent long jumpers in China through determining body composition using biological resistance method.
METHODS: A total of 67 long jumpers who participated in the 2005 National Athletics Championships and 2004 National University Athletics Meeting were included, 60 track-and-field specialized students and 30 university students were selected as controls. The body composition, including body fat rate, lean body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total water content were measured using “Bios pace” component analyzer with eight electrodes method. The age, gender, morphological index, and body composition were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The distribution features of excellent long jumpers in China were as follows: low body fat rates, body weight, and free fat body weight. The body fat rates were gradually decreased and lean body mass increased with increasing athletic levels. There were significant differences between the male and female long jumpers (P < 0.01). The lean body mass, lean body mass/height and vital capacity had positive correlation with standing long jump, standing triple jump, deep squat and special achievement, but were negatively related to 30-m running. Compared with female, the correlation coefficient of the male with lean weight was greater in male. The results are corresponding to special achievement, thus, it can provide basis for selecting and training of athletes.