SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN BODY COMPOSITION INDICES IN MARTIAL ARTS ATHLETES

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.