Singh et al.

: Anthropometric measurements of field hockey players

Serb J Sports Sci 4(2): 47-52

Serbian Journal of Sports Sciences

ISSN 1820-6301 ID 175910156

Original article
Received: 27 Dec 2009 Accepted: 09 Apr 2010

2010, 4(2): 47-52

UDC 796.355.012(540) ; 796.355.012(549) ; 796.355.012(548.7)

MEASUREMENTS, COMPOSITION ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS, BODY COMPOSITION AND PAKISTANI LANKAN PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF INDIAN, PAKISTANI AND SRI LANKAN FIELD HOCKEY PLAYERS
Mandeep Singh, Kanwar Mandeep Singh & Kanwaljeet Singh
Department of Physical Education (AT), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, INDIA.

Abstract This comparative study was conducted to determine the anthropometric measurements and body composition of field hockey teams of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A total of 53 field hockey players from three teams were studied. The participants height was measured using the standard anthropometric rod, while their weight was measured with a portable weighing machine. Widths and diameters of body parts were measured using digital caliper. Girths and lengths were taken with a steel tape. Grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer. Skinfold thickness measurements were taken using the Harpenden caliper at 4 sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailliac). The percentage of fat was calculated from the sum of 4 measurements of skinfold thickness. It was found that there were no significant differences in height and weight among the three teams, with the Pakistani players recording a slightly higher weight. The Pakistan team had a significantly higher upper arm length (p<0.05) and bi-humerus diameter (p<0.05) as compared to the India and the Sri Lanka teams. The Sri Lanka team had significantly less wrist circumference (p<0.05), hand width (p<0.05) and lean body mass (p<0.05) as compared to the India and the Pakistan teams. The India team had significantly less % body fat (p<0.05) than the other two teams. More data would be of interest to document the changes in anthropometry and body composition during the season and out of season and also to attempt an analysis of characteristics specific to field positions.
Key words: Body composition, field hockey, % body fat

INTRODUCTION
Physical characteristics and body composition have been known to be fundamental to excellence in athletic performance [15]. Specific athletic events require different body types and weights for maximal performance [1]. Today it has been widely accepted by the experts that top performance in sports is achieved if an athlete possesses the basic anthropometric characteristics suitable for the event. Therefore, the athletes in a particular sport must possess such typical characteristics which are of advantage to their performance. Body composition also makes an important contribution to an individuals level of physical fitness for performance, particularly in such sports that require one to carry ones body weight over a distance, which is facilitated by a large proportion of active tissue (muscle) in relation to a small proportion of fat tissue [12]. As far as morphology of the field hockey players is concerned, very few references can be found in the literature. The present study, therefore, aims to evaluate the physical parameters, anthropometric measurements and body composition of hockey players in three diverse nations, viz: India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (hereafter mentioned as Indian subcontinent). A plethora of research work is available on the anthropometric measurements and body composition of players belonging to different sports in diverse nations [see e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]; however, scant literature is available on the same topic for hockey players of Indian subcontinent. The present study, thus, fills up the existing void of literature in Indian concern.

METHODS MATHERIALS AND METHODS

SAMPLES
Fifty three hockey players from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were investigated for the study. The data on the hockey players were collected during the First South Asia Universities Hockey Tournament which was conducted under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, from 13th to 16th March 2008 at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
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Singh et al.: Anthropometric measurements of field hockey players

Serb J Sports Sci 4(2): 47-52

INSTRUMENTATION AND PROCEDURE

Body weight of the subjects was measured with a portable weighing machine to the nearest 0.5 kg. Height measurements were taken using the standard anthropometric rod to the nearest 0.5 cm (HG-72, Nexgen ergonomics, Canada). Widths and diameters of body parts were measured using a digital caliper. Girths and lengths were taken with the steel tape to the nearest 0.5 cm. Grip strength of both hands was measured with the help of hand dynamometer (Fabrication enterprises Inc. NY, USA). Skinfold thickness measurements were taken with Harpenden Skinfold Caliper (British Indicators, UK) to the nearest 0.1 mm. Total body fat was estimated from the sum of four skinfold values taken at the biceps, triceps, sub-scapular and suprailiac as recommended by Durnin and Rahaman [8] and using Durnin and Womcrsley equation [9].

VARIABLES
Variables are presented at Table 1.
Table 1. Variables and measurement units.

Variables
Age Weight Total Arm Length Lower Arm Length Upper Arm Circumference (Rest) Chest Circumference(Rest) Hip Circumference Calf circumference Shoulder Width Bi-humerus Diameter Wrist Diameter Percentage Body Fat Lean Body Mass (LBM) Grip Strength (Left Hand)

Measurement Unit
Years Kilograms Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Millimeters Millimeters Millimeters % Kilograms Kilograms

Variables
Height Body Mass Index (BMI) Upper Arm Length Wrist Circumference Upper Arm Circumference (contracted) Chest Circumference (Elevated) Thigh Circumference Hand Width Hip Width Bi-femur Diameter Body Density (BD) Total Body Fat(TBF) Grip Strength (Right Hand)

Measurement Unit
Centimeters 2 (kg/m ) Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Centimeters Millimeters Millimeters Millimeters (gm/cc) Kilograms Kilograms

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Values are presented as mean values and SD. The results were compared between the teams using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Data were analyzed using Excel 2003 (Microsoft corporation) software. The significance level was established at p< 0.05.

DISCUSSION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The physical parameters of the three teams are presented in Table 2. Table 3 represents the length measurements and grip strength of the three teams, whereas Table 4 indicates the circumferences of the various body parts. The values of diameters and widths of different body parts are presented in Table 5 and values of different components of body build are presented in Table 6.

Table 2. Mean physical characteristics of the subjects. Team India Sri Lanka Pakistan N 24 18 11 Age (Yrs) 20.541.5 22.551.67 19.913.24 Height (cm) 172.626.29 171.055.91 172.187.54 Weight (kg) 66.587.25 65.4413.32 71.919.64 BMI (kg/m ) 22.311.75 22.334.19 24.212.62
2

Body Fat (%) 7.773.86 14.97.12 12.415.81

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Serb J Sports Sci 4(2): 47-52

Table 3. Length measurements and grip strength of subjects. Team India Sri Lanka Pakistan N 24 18 11 Total Arm Length Upper Arm Length Lower Arm Length (cm) (cm) (cm) 78.813.94 73.8313.65 80.002.83 31.711.92 31.442.69 34.182.04 46.542.52 45.333.69 45.451.75 Grip strength Right (kg) 49.967.28 43.284.39 47.188.65 Left (kg) 49.175.89 43.066.32 45.826.29

Table 4. Widths and diameters of different body parts of the subjects. Width Team India Sri Lanka Pakistan N Hand (mm) Shoulder (mm) 24 18 11 84.703.85 81.354.44 84.974.43 423.6917.83 425.0924.83 430.8917.12 Hip (mm) 316.1516.22 313.9322.46 338.3937.5 Bi humerus (mm) 68.374.32 65.285.92 71.884.49 Diameter Wrist (mm) 55.663.96 52.113.71 54.662.34 Bi femur (mm) 97.206.41 94.898.50 93.645.24

Table 5. Circumferences of body parts of the subjects. Upper Arm Rest (cm) 25.21 1.82 25.39 3.38 26.27 2.45 Chest Elevated (cm) 89.89 3.44 87.55 7.37 91.95 9.24

Team

Forearm (cm) 24.37 1.22 24.11 2.16 25.91 4.78

Wrist (cm) 16.25 0.74 15.08 1.14 16.36 0.92

Contracte Rest (cm) d (cm) 29.21 1.47 28.83 3.65 30.45 3.11 86.46 3.62 83.44 7.38 88.09 9.14

Hip (cm) 91.75 3.81 89.61 7.12 93.45 5.85

Thigh (cm) 49.08 6.48 54.39 8.74 51.64 4.39

Calf (cm) 32.83 3.24 32.92 3.38 34.91 2.88

India Sri Lanka Pakistan

24 18 11

Table 6. Different components of body build of the subjects. Team India Sri Lanka Pakistan n 24 18 11 BD (gm/cc) 1.0830.009 1.0650.017 1.0710.014 % Fat 7.773.86 14.907.12 12.415.81 TBF (kg) 5.262.96 10.537.03 9.155.02 LBM (kg) 61.326.23 54.916.98 62.757.39

The Sri Lanka team had a significantly lower hand width than the India and Pakistan teams. The Bihumerus diameter of the Pakistan team was found to be significantly higher than in the India and Sri Lanka teams. The wrist diameter of the India team was found to be significantly higher than that of Sri Lanka. The body fat percentage of the Indian team was found to be significantly lower than that of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Forbes [10] and Malina [14] have also compared the body composition of different ethnic groups and found that these differences may be a direct result of lifestyle factors, most notably diet as well as differences in activity and training levels. The lean body mass was found to be significantly lower in the Sri Lanka team than in the India and Pakistan teams.

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Serb J Sports Sci 4(2): 47-52

Table 7. F-ratio values of mean physical characteristics of the hockey players. Countries compared variables
India-Sri Lanka India-Pakistan Pakistan-Sri Lanka India-Sri LankaPakistan

Age (yrs) Height (cm) Weight (kg) Body Mass Index (kg/m ) Total Arm Length Upper Arm Length Lower Arm Length Forearm circumference Wrist circumference Upper Arm circum. (Rest) Upper Arm circum. (contracted) Chest circum. (Rest) Chest circum. (elevated) Hip circumference Thigh circumference Calf circumference Hand Width Shoulder Width Hip Width Bi-humerus Diameter Wrist Diameter Bi -femur Diameter Body density (gm/cc) % Fat Total body fat (kg) Lean body mass (kg) Grip strength (Right hand) Grip strength (Left hand)
2

17.31*, (1.40) 0.67, (1.40) 0.13, (1.40) 0.004, (1.40) 2.89, (1.40) 0.14, (1.40) 1.57, (1.40) 0.25, (1.40) 16.17*, (1.40) 0.05, (1.40) 0.21, (1.40) 3.05, (1.40) 1.88, (1.40) 1.56, (1.40) 5.11*, (1,40) 0.006, (1.40) 6.83*, (1.40) 0.04, (1.40) 1.56. (1.40) 3.83, (1.40) 8.69*, (1.40) 1.01, (1.40) 17.32*, (1.40) 17.39*, (1.40) 11.03*, (1.40) 9.82*, (1.40) 11.86*, (1.40) 10.39*, (1.40)

0.63, (1.33) 0.03, (1.33) 3.29, (1.33) 6.44*, (1.33) 0.80, (1.33) 12.03*, (1.33) 1.66, (1.33) 2.23, (1.33) 0.15, (1.33) 2.07, (1.33) 2.63, (1.33) 0.58, (1.33) 0.93, (1.33) 1.06, (1.33) 1.40, (1,33) 3.31, (1.33) 0.03, (1.33) 1.26, (1.33) 1.06, (1.33) 4.85*, (1.33) 0.59, (1.33) 2.59, (1.33) 7.77*, (1.33) 7.91*, (1.33) 8.43*, (1,33) 0.35, (1.33) 0.97, (1.33) 2.33, (1.33)

8.64*, (1.27) 0.20, (1.27) 1.95, (1.27) 1.77, (1.27) 2.16, (1.27) 8.39*, (1.27) 0.01, (1.27) 1.93, (1.27) 9.85*, (1.27) 0.56, (1.27) 1.49, (1.27) 2.26, (1.27) 2.01, (1.27) 2.26, (1.27) 0.93, (1,27) 2.64, (1.27) 4.54*, (1.27) 0.46, (1.27) 2.26, (1.27) 10.05*, (1.27) 4.15, (1.27) 0.19, (1.27) 0.93, (1.27) 0.95, (1.27) 0.32, (1.27) 8.24*, (1.27) 2.61, (1.27) 1.31, (1.27)

7.60*, (2.50) 0.31, (2.50) 1.49, (2.50) 1.78, (2.50) 2.43, (2.50) 5.91*, (2.50) 1.09, (2.50) 1.78, (2.50) 10.01*, (2.50) 0.67, (2.50) 1.25, (2.50) 2.04, (2.50) 1.68, (2.50) 1.73, (2.50) 2.95, (2,50) 1.75, (2.50) 4.03*, (2.50) 0.48, (2.50) 1.73, (2.50) 6.15*, (2.50) 5.07*, (2.50) 1.15, (2.50) 8.83*, (2.50) 8.84*, (2.50) 5.99*, (2.50) 6.33*, (2.50) 4.99*, (2.50) 5.18*, (2.50)

Notes: 1. Parentheses of type ( ) contain degrees of freedom v1, v2 respectively 2. * signifies that the value is significant at 5% of level of significance.

Table 7 with the F-ratio values shows significant difference between the players of the three teams in the body measurements and components of body build. The age of the Sri Lanka team was found to be significantly higher than that of the India and Pakistan teams. On examination, the players of the Pakistan team tended to be slightly taller and heavier although the difference is not statistically significant. The upper arm length of the Pakistan team was found to be significantly higher than in the India and Sri Lanka teams. In all the circumference measurements the Pakistan players had higher values but not statistically significant except for wrist circumference. The Sri Lanka team had significantly lower wrist circumference than the India and Pakistan teams. In handling the stick and ball in the game situation, optimal grip strength in both hands is required. The subjects in the present study had a mean grip strength of 46.8 kg for the right hand and 46.1 kg for the left hand (Table 3). The grip strength for both right and left hands of the India team was found to be significantly higher than the Sri Lanka team.
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Table 8. Comparison of mean physical characteristics of the hockey players with similar studies. Countries Malaysia China Poland Switzerland S. Australia India Sri Lanka Pakistan References Demuth et al. [7] Demuth et al. [7] Demuth et al. [7] Demuth et al. [7] Withers et al. [24] Present study Present study Present study Age (Yrs.) 25.31 26.44 26.36 25.20 / 20.54 22.55 19.90 Weight (kg) 70.4 70.9 73.6 75.0 73.2 66.6 65.4 71.9 Height (cm) 170.5 171.9 177.2 179.2 170.0 172.6 171.1 172.2 Body Fat (%) 18.81 16.91 18.04 18.28 16.70 7.77 14.90 12.40

Table 8 presents a comparison of the physical characteristics of the players in this study with those reported in earlier studies in selected countries. The Indian and the Sri Lankan hockey players in comparison with the players from other selected countries appeared to be lighter. The Pakistani players in comparison with the players in other studies appeared to be lighter than the players from Poland, Switzerland, South Africa, and South Australia. However, they were slightly heavier than Malaysian and Chinese players. The players in the present study were shorter than the players of Poland, Switzerland and South Africa. However, they appeared to be of comparable height with respect to other selected teams. Although the body composition estimation methods vary, the hockey players in the present study had a lower fat percentage as compared to the players in selected countries except for South Africa. Pakistani and Sri Lankan players had more fat percentage than South African players whereas Indian players had a lower fat percentage than South African players.

CONCLUSIONS
Generally, there were many differences in various variables among the players of the three teams. The age of Sri Lanka team was found to the significantly higher than in the India and the Pakistan teams. The upper arm length and Bi-humerus diameter of Pakistani players were found to be significantly higher than in the Indian and Sri Lankan players. The Indian players had significantly lower body fat when compared to the Pakistani and the Sri Lankan players. However the Sri Lankan players had significantly less lean body mass when compared to the other two teams. There are many factors that may account for these differences, notably climate, diet and differences in aerobic and hockey specific training sessions. It would be of interest to continue such a study to document the changes in anthropometry and body composition during the season and out of season and also to attempt an analysis of characteristics specific to field positions.

APPLICATION PRACTICAL APPLICATION

1. 2. 3. The findings of the study will help to understand the anthropometric characteristics and body composition of hockey players of the sub-continent. It will serve as reference data for physical education teachers and coaches for the selection of young players. This will help to understand the relationship among the variables under study.

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Address for correspondence:

Mandeep Singh Department of Physical Education (AT), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. Tel.: +91-9988576318 E-mail: mandeep_balz@yahoo.com

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