SINGH, S.; SINGH, K.; SINGH, M. Anthropometric characteristics and body types of high performer and low
performer hammer throwers. Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity, v. 5, n. 2, p. 80-86, 2011. The purpose of this
study was to find out anthropometric measurements, body composition and somatotyping differences in high
performer and low performer hammer throwers. 20 male hammer throwers of age 18 to 25 years were
assessed for the study. Out of which 10 were high performers and 10 were low performers. All subjects
were assessed for height, weight, widths, girths and skinfold thicknesses. The independent samples t-test
revealed that high performer hammer throwers had significantly higher weight (p<0.01), sitting height
(p<0.05), BMI (p<0.01) and lower leg length (p<0.01) as compared to low performers. The high performer
hammer throwers were also found to have significantly greater all circumferences and skinfold
measurements. High performers hammer throwers also had significantly higher % body fat (p<0.01), total
body fat (p<0.01) and lean body mass (p<0.01) as compared to low performers. Endomorphy (p<0.01) and
mesomorphy (p<0.01) were significantly higher in high performer hammer throwers whereas ectomorphy
(p<0.01) was significantly greater among low performers. It is concluded that in most of the parameters there
were significant differences between high performer hammer throwers and low performer hammer throwers,
and the high performer athletes showed better anthropometric measurements and somatotyping scores.
