Somatotype evaluation in different athletics modalities in high performance Peruvian athletes residing at altitude
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.109231Keywords:
Running, anthropometry, somatotypes, sports, altitudeAbstract
Introduction: The somatotype is a key factor in athletic performance, as it influences specialization and performance depending on the discipline. However, its characterization in athletes who train at high altitude remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to characterize the somatotype of track and field athletes who reside and train at high altitude in the city of Arequipa, Peru.
Methodology: A total of 52 athletes (23 women and 29 men) aged 17 to 30 years were included, representing the disciplines of long-distance, middle-distance, race walking, hurdles sprint, and decathlon. The athletes belonged to the Peruvian high-performance center based in Arequipa and to university teams registered with the Federación Deportiva Universitaria del Perú. Anthropometric assessment was conducted following ISAK standards, and somatotype was determined using the Heath and Carter method.
Results: Among men, the predominant somatotype was meso-ectomorphic across all disciplines, except for hurdles sprint, which showed a balanced mesomorphic somatotype. In women, greater variability was observed: meso-endomorphic for long-distance and decathlon, and central for middle-distance, race walking, and hurdles sprint.
Discussion: These findings highlight the importance of developing altitude-specific reference values for somatotype.
Conclusions: The somatotype of high-altitude athletes varies by discipline and sex, with greater uniformity in men and more variability in women.
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