Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characterization of Male Elite Karate Athletes Caracterización Antropométrica y Estado Físico de Atletas de Elite de Karate Masculino

SANCHEZ-PUCCINI, M. B.; ARGOTHY-BUCHELI, R. E.; MENESES-ECHAVEZ, J. F.; LOPEZ-ALBAN, C. A. & RAMIREZ-VELEZ, R. Anthropometric and physical fitness characterization of male elite karate athletes. Int. J. Morphol., 32(3) :1026-1031, 2014.SUMMARY: This study aimed to assess anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics of male elite karate athletes. Our studywas carried out on a sample of 19 male Karate Athletes from Colombia (mean age 31.6 ±8.8 years). Different anthropometric measurementswere taken (weight, height, diameters, circumferences, body composition) from which several anthropometric indices were calculated(body mass index, ponderal index, body index adiposity), and the somatotype was then determined. The performance tests carried out were:Astrand-Ryming protocol, vertical jump, anaerobic power and Wingate anaerobic test. The results (mean ±SD) showed a body mass (65.4 ±12.0kg), height (167.4 ±9.3 cm), percent body fat (13.6 ±3.0 %), ponderal index (41.0 ±1.8) and body adiposity index (25.1 ±3.6). The somatotypecomponent values according to the Heath-Carter method were (4.0-4.2-2.1) for the endomorphic, mesomorphic, and ectomorphic comp onentsrespectively. The aerobic capacity average was (44.8±7.1 ml•kg