PHYSIOLOGICAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE 100 METER SPRINTERS OF DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE LEVELS

The purpose of this study was to compare physiological characteristics of three different levels of 100 m female sprinters. The 30 subjects in this study (20 female track athletes and 10 recreationally trained females) were assigned, according to their 100 m running time, to one of three different groups: ''Fast'' (11.8 +/- 0.1 sec), ''Average'' (1 2.7 +/- 0.1) and ''Slow'' (14.2 +/- 0.1 sec). All subjects were tested for performance in the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), strength (squat exercise), fat % (hydrostatic weighing), reaction time, flexibility ( sit-and-reach test), aerobic power (peak VO2) and running skill. The d ata was analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Tukey test, which was performed on each variable to find differences between the groups. The ANOVA indicated significant differences among all three groups for performance in the Wingate Anaerobic Test and rel ative strength. Significant differences in fat % and running skill wer e found between the fast and the slow groups and between the average a nd the slow groups. However, no significant difference in fat % and ru nning skill existed between the fast and the average groups. The diffe rences in reaction time were significant only between the fast and the average groups. No two groups were significantly different from each other for flexibility and peak VO2. Pearson correlation coefficients ( r) were calculated to determine the relationships between the 100m run ning time and each of the variables tested. Significant and negative c orrelations were found between the 100m running time and skill, relati ve strength, and performance in the WAnT. Significant and positive cor relations were found between running time and fat %. No significant co rrelations were found between running time and peak VO2 reaction time and flexibility. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that the combi nation of performance in the WAnT and strength provided the most effic ient (R=0.92) prediction of 100 m run times. This study demonstrated t hat the main difference among female sprinters of different performanc e levels lies in their ability to produce muscular power, strength and running technique. Other physiological components, such as flexibilit y, peak VO2, and reaction time do not differ among female sprinters of different performance levels as represented in the tested groups.