ABSTRACT:Background: The aim of the current study was to examine anthropometric and body composition differences in sprint and endurance cycling in Indian Junior cyclists.
Methods: Fifty Indian junior national cyclists, further the cyclists were divided in to two group Sprinters group (N=25) and endurance group (N=25) their aged from 16 to 19 years. Anthropometric measurements were assessed as per guidelines issued by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Body composition measurements were calculated by applying equations of Durnin and Womersley (1974).
Results: The results revealed a significant difference in height, weight, BMI. The sprinters were shorter and heavier. The sprinter showed shorter limbs (total leg length, lower leg length, total arm length, and lower arm length) than endurance cyclists have greater bicondylar humerus diameter, hip diameter and bicondylar femur diameter than endurance cyclists. The sprinters have more flexed arm circumference, upper arm circumference, lower arm circumference, chest circumference, thigh circumference and calf circumference than endurance cyclists. The sprinters have also more skinfold thickness on biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and calf than endurance cyclists. The sprinters have greater lean body mass and total body fat than endurance cyclists. In somatotype, sprinters were mesomorphic less ectomorphic and endurance cyclists were more ectomorphic.
Conclusion: There were differences in anthropometric and body type between sprinter and endurance cyclists. The coach must take considerations during the talent identification programme in a specific event. These findings might have practical implications for both training and talent identification in cycling.