2009, Number 2
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MEDICC Review 2009; 11 (2)
Body type and performance of elite cuban Baseball players
Carvajal W, Ríos A, Echevarría I, Martínez M, Miñoso J, Rodríguez D
Language: English
References: 39
Page: 15-20
PDF size: 161.64 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Appropriate stature and adequate somatotype are not the
only attributes determining athletic performance, but they are important
prerequisites for sports participation and success. However, there is
scant literature on baseball players’ kinanthropometric profiles and their
association with performance. Given that Cuban baseball players have
been among the world’s top performers in recent decades, characterization
of their morphological features linked to their performance may
contribute to developing the evidence base in this area.
Objective Describe the kinanthropometric profile related to sports performance
of elite Cuban baseball players, classified by playing position.
Methods Body composition, somatotype, proportionality, and performance
were measured in 100 elite baseball players grouped by playing
position and performance. Data from the 2002–2003 baseball season
was gathered for players participating in the 43
rd Cuban National Baseball
Series (November 2003–May 2004). Slugging percentage (SLG)
was used to measure performance of all players except pitchers, whose
performance was measured as end-of-season win-loss record. Mean
and standard deviation values were calculated for anthropometric and
performance results, presented in tables for comparison. ANOVA and
MANOVA analyses were applied to determine magnitudes of difference
between the variables studied, as well as statistical significance of the
differences established (p≤0.05 and p≤0.01).
Results Performance and body type varied by playing position, and
statistically significant differences were found in performance, body
composition and somatotype variables between some positions. No
significant differences in proportionality were found. First basemen
and outfielders (center, left, and right fielders) were the best offensive
players with the highest mean SLG, body weight and muscle mass
values. Infielders (second basemen, shortstops, and third basemen)
had the lowest mean body weight and adipose tissue mass values,
as well as the lowest mean SLG. Catchers had similar mean weight,
height, muscle mass, and adipose tissue mass values as first basemen,
outfielders and infielders, but a low mean SLG similar to that
of infielders. Pitchers were morphologically similar to players in all
positions, but significant morphological differences were found among
pitchers with different performance levels. Better-performing pitchers
(≥.600 winning percentage (Wpct)) were significantly heavier and
more mesomorphic than lower-performing pitchers (‹.600 Wpct). All
players were predominantly mesoendomorphic, but mean somatotype
values varied between players in different positions, and between
pitchers with different performance levels.
Conclusions The kinanthropometric profile of high-performance
baseball players described in this study generally coincides with
the available literature. Further research on comparative samples is
needed to validate the relationship between players’ body type and
performance. Nevertheless, the results of this study may be applied
to criteria for selection and training of high-performance baseball players
in Cuba.
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