AIWA, N. & PIETER, W. Sexual dimorphism in body composition indices in
martial arts athletes. Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity. v. 1, n. 3, p. 56-64, 2007.
The purpose of this study was to assess differences in body composition
indices between adolescent male and female martial arts athletes. Subjects (11
girls, 18.09±1.69 years, 160.31±5.49 cm, 56.24±5.44 kg and 15 boys,
17.40±2.27 years, 168.13±6.96 cm, 58.93±10.23 kg) were recreationally active
taekwondo and karate practitioners recruited from local clubs in Northeast
Peninsular Malaysia. Body composition indices included reciprocal ponderal
index (cm.kg-0.333), percent fat, and lean body mass (LBM). A 1-way ANOVA
was used to determine the differences in body composition indices between
boys and girls. The boys were taller (p=0.004, eta2=0.292) and had more LBM (47.39±6.88 kg vs. 38.67±3.45 kg, p<0.001, eta2=0.420). The girls carried more
weight for height (41.95±1.24 cm.kg-0.333 vs. 43.46±1.86 cm.kg-0.333, p=0.029,
eta2=0.184), which was due to having more fat (31.17±2.18% vs. 19.21±2.84%,
p<0.001, eta2=0.850). Weight for height is comparable to that of martial arts
athletes competing at a similar level in other countries. It is of concern that
active adolescent girls seem to have more fat than commonly found in martial
arts athletes. Dietary advice may be sought in addition to more aerobic work as
part of the athletes’ conditioning program.
