Somatotype and body composition of water pole female athletes from Brazil

Abstract

Long lasting exertion induced stress can alter body homeostasis that can remain visible during several days and seem to be This study aim was to compare the somatotype of water pole Athletes according to their game position and final classification in the 2005 Brazilian Championship. Fifty athletes were evaluated and their somatotype was calculated through the anthropometric method. Both the descriptive analysis and the comparison between the groups were made through the t-test and the variance analysis for repeated measures (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni’s Post Hoc test (p < 0.05). The mean value of relative fat was of 22.9 ± 4.5%, thin body mass of 47.0 ± 4.1 kg, body mass 61.2 ± 6.1 kg. The mean somatotype values were 4.9-3.5-2.3 (endomorphic – mesomorphic). The Elite group had higher somatotype and body fat mass scores than the other athletes who were evaluated. When separated by their game position, the goal keeper athletes presented higher thin body mass scores than the athletes who were in other positions. We concluded that there are no significant differences in the mean somatotype between the athletes neither based on their final classification, nor due to the position in the game.