Body composition of male and female elite Polish sumo wrestlers in different weight category
Journal Title: Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts - Year 2013, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
[b]Introduction. [/b]Sumo wrestlers are considered the biggest individuals in the world but the characteristics of their body composition have not been investigated thus far. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the contents of adipose and muscular tissues, and fat-free mass of sumo athletes competing in various weight categories. We assumed that the athletes from the highest weight categories are characterized by an excessive amount of body fat and the lowest relative contents of muscle mass and fat-free body mass.[b]Material and methods.[/b] This study included 41 leading Polish sumo wrestlers, among them 15 women and 26 men. Standard measurements of body height and weight were taken in all participating athletes, and their body composition was determined by means of electric bio-impedance measurements. The wrestlers were divided into groups corresponding to the weight categories they have been competing during the 2009 Polish Cup competition; FA (<65 kg) and FB (≥65 kg) groups were distinguished amongst female wrestlers, along with MA, (<85 kg), MB (85-115 kg) and MC (≥115 kg) groups amongst males.[b]Results.[/b] Female wrestlers from the FB group were characterized by the highest relative content of adipose tissue and the lowest relative levels of fat-free mass, both significantly different as compared to parameters determined in the FA, MA, and MB groups. Also, MM content was the lowest in the FB group, and significantly different from the remaining groups. The MM value of women from the FA group was significantly lower compared to men from the MA group, being at the similar level as those determined in the MB and MC groups.[b]Conclusions.[/b] Sumo wrestlers from the highest weight categories were characterized by the highest contents of adipose tissue, suggesting obesity and potential health risk. Increasing body mass in sumo wrestlers requires close monitoring of body composition in order to distinguish between muscle mass gain and inadvertent increase in adipose tissue content.
Authors and Affiliations
Mateusz Rynkiewicz, Piotr Żurek, Henryk Kos, Włodzimierz Stronczyński, Tadeusz Rynkiewicz
Keywords
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