The contribution of anthropometric characteristics to performance scores in elite female gymnasts

Background. Aims of this study were: a) to identify anthropometric variable s correlated with gymnastic performance, and b) to predict performance scor es from a combination of anthropometric dimensions. Methods. Experimental design: correlational analysis and a stepwise multipl e regression were used. Setting: Subjects were participants at the 24th Wor ld Championships Artistic Gymnastics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 1987, Participants: A total of 168 female gymnasts (mean age: 16.5+/-1.8 years) w ere investigated, Each gymnast participated in all events. Measures: An ext ensive battery of anthropometric dimensions was taken on each athlete, The somatotype was estimated. Skeletal maturation of the hand-wrist was assesse d. Competition scores for the four individual gymnastic events (balance bea m, floor exercise, vault, uneven bars) and a composite score for each gymna st were the dependent variables. Results. Moderately high, significant correlations (p<0.01) were observed b etween skinfolds and endomorphy, and gymnastics performance scores, r varyi ng from -0.38 to -0.60, for biceps skinfold and the score on balance beam, and for endomorphy and the total score, respectively. The correlations sugg est that gymnasts with more subcutaneous fat and higher endomorphy have low er performance scores. About 32 % to 45 % of the variance in gymnastic perf ormance scores could be explained by anthropometric dimensions and/or deriv ed variables, but endomorphy and chronological age are the most important p redictors. Conclusions. There is a relatively strong relationship between several anth ropometric variables and gymnastic performance in a sample of elite female gymnasts, but the associations are not sufficiently high to predict perform ance scores on an individual basis.