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Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(10): 788-793
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1279722
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Physical Profile of Elite Young Motorcyclists

C. Sánchez-Muñoz1 , M. A. Rodríguez2 , A. J. Casimiro-Andújar2 , F. B. Ortega3 , M. Mateo-March4 , M. Zabala1
  • 1Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (University of Granada), Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Granada, Spain
  • 2University of Almería, Area of Physical Education and Sport, Almería, Spain
  • 3School of Medicine, University of Granada, Department of Physiology, Granada, Spain
  • 4University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision April 28, 2011

Publication Date:
12 September 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite young road-race motorcyclists (MC). 27 riders (15.6±1.1 years, 54.6±6.9 kg, 166.9±6.7 cm) competing at international elite level participated in this study. Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, and lower-body muscular strength were measured. Comparisons of the MC and a reference group of Spanish physically active adolescents (16.0±0.6 years) showed that the riders were significantly lighter (−12.5 kg), and smaller (−4.7 cm). Riders also had significantly lower values for almost all skinfolds, and for all the measured girths (except forearm) than the reference group. Motorcyclists showed significantly less percent body fat (%BF) and higher muscle mass, and differences were observed for somatotype components compared to the reference group, except for the ectomorphy. Somatotype could be defined as mesomorphic-ectomorph (2.5–4.4–3.7). Mean (±SD) values of all riders were 34.8±5.0 cm for vertical jump height, 402.1±74.5 N for the right hand and 370.7±77.5 N for the left hand strengths, and 120.6±19.3 kg for lumbar isometric strength, respectively. Results demonstrate that MC are small and light, with lower body mass index, skinfolds, girth and breadth dimensions, and %BF than a reference group and other athletes, with high values of hand grip and lumbar isometric strength.

Key words

motorsports - young - body composition - somatotype - strength

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Faculty of Physical Activity and

Sport Sciences (University of

Granada)

Department of Physical Activity

and Sport

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18011 Granada

Spain

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