PHYSIOLOGICAL PROFILES AND SPORT SPECIFIC FITNESS OF ASIAN ELITE SQUASH PLAYERS

There is a scarcity of descriptive data on the physiological character istics of elite Asian squash players. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological profile and sports specific fitness of Hon g Kong elite squash players. It was conducted before the selection of the Hong Kong national squash team for the 1992 Asian Squash Champions hip. Ten elite squash players were selected as subjects for the study. Maximum oxygen uptake was measured using a continuous treadmill runni ng test. A sports specific field test was performed in a squash court. The following means(s.d.) were observed: height 172.6(4.3) cm; weight 67.7(6.9) kg; body fat 7.4(3.4)%; forced vital capacity (FVC) 5.13(0. 26) litres; maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) 61.7(3.4) ml . kg(-1). min( -1); anaerobic threshold (AT) 80.2(3.3)% of VO2max; alactic power inde x 15.5(1.8) W . kg(-1); lactic work index 323.5(29.4)J . kg(-1), peak isokinetic dominant knee extensor and flexor strengths 3.11(0.29) Nm . kg(-1) and 1.87(0.18) Nm . kg(-1). The results show that the Hong Kon g squash players have relatively high cardiorespiratory sports specifi c fitness and muscle strength which may be one of the key factors that contributed to the success of the Hong Kong team in the Asian Champio nship.