Measuring and Understanding the body type of a Player: Sports Anthropometry
What is Sports Anthropometry?
Sports Anthropometry is a science that studies human body measurements which incorporates the human body developments from time to time and the size of the body parts. Anthropometry measurements are the most fundamental and oldest aspect of the sport. From these measurements, one can recognize the body abilities from the body shape or body composition of a player.
Who is a Sports Anthropometrist?
Sports and exercise anthropometrists measure all the body parts that are used by players in their game. They also keep track of progress made by the body while training by keeping track of changes in the body’s shape and size of players. Also, they help players identify suitable sports for them by identifying their body type.
Application of Sports Anthropometry
- Body composition Analysis – This analysis helps in tracking the fat percentage, water levels, muscles, minerals, and vitamin levels of a player to plan the exercise and training in accordance with the requirements of the game.
- Weight- Maintaining ideal body weight is necessary for sports performance, sports anthropometrists keep a regular check on this aspect.
- Measurement of Body Parts- To predict the growth and development of young players body part measurements are done like arm length, calf length, etc.
- Around the Body Measurement- To keep track of training effectiveness chest measurement, waist measurement, hip measurement, etc are done in a timely.
- Somatotyping- After taking all the measurements, a somatotype of a player is identified to help them choose the most suitable sport for them.