The aim of the study was to examine the anthropometric
features and body composition of athletes practising karate at a
high and medium competitive level. Our study was carried out on
a sample of 35 subjects practising karate and aged from 16.0 to
32.5 years. This sample was divided into two groups: group 1
(n=14 elite athletes) and
group 2 (n=21 amateur
athletes). Various anthropometric measurements were taken
(weight, height both standing and sitting, diameters,
circumferences and skinfold thickness) from which different
anthropometric indices were calculated (body mass index, Scelic
and Grant indices, arm muscle circumference and area), and the
somatotype was then determined. The body composition of each
subject was assessed using the skinfold technique and the
Jackson-Pollock (J-P) and Sloan-Weir (S-W) equations. The two
groups of athletes showed very similar measurements regarding
anthropometric characteristics. Only the Scelix index presented
a significantly different value in the two groups (49.6±1.3 for
group 1 vs. 51.1±1.3 for group 2; p<0.01). Group 1 showed a
mesomorphic-ectomorphic somatotype, while the amateur athletes
presented a balanced mesomorphic type. Moreover, a lower
percentage of fat mass was more frequent in the first group
(J-P=8.1±2.4%; S-W=8.9±3.3%) than in the second one
(J-P=9.8±1.6%; S-W=11.2±3.7%), although the differences between
the two groups were not significant. We conclude that group 1 is
characterized by a slightly prominent vertical development of
the skeletal frame. This could be an anthropometric
characteristic that is best suited to meet the specific
functional requirements of this sport. Moreover, both groups of
athletes are characterized by a low percentage of fat mass,
particularly the elite group.