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Tests of anthropometry include measurements of body size, structure, and composition. There is a wide range of ideal body shapes and compositions, depending on the sports, the playing position and the fitness level. See the links to detailed information about anthropometric measurements each of these sports.

For many sports it is an advantage to be extreme in some aspect, whether it be short, tall, heavy or light. In terms of body composition, an athlete may wish to have anything from high muscularity to high fat levels. Sometimes this advantage is great, and other times very minimal.

Some Sporting Examples

Basketball: Height is a critical anthropometric component in basketball, as taller players typically have advantages in rebounding, shooting, and defending due to their reach.

Soccer: Endurance and aerobic capacity are essential in soccer as players cover vast distances throughout the game. Additionally, agility and sprinting speed play crucial roles.

Gymnastics: A favorable strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility are vital in gymnastics. Athletes with shorter limbs and lighter body weights often excel due to the ease of executing complex maneuvers.

Swimming: Anthropometric components like arm span, body length, and limb length are crucial in swimming, impacting stroke efficiency and overall speed in the water.

Track and Field: Sprinters often benefit from longer legs and a powerful lower body.

Boxing: Reach and arm length are important in boxing as they can determine the ability to strike from a distance or defend against opponents.

Weightlifting: Anthropometric factors such as limb length and muscle mass distribution are significant in weightlifting, influencing leverage and strength exertion.

Tennis: Arm length and shoulder width contribute to the effectiveness of serves and groundstrokes in tennis, while agility and speed are also crucial for on-court movement.

Volleyball: Height and jumping ability are critical in volleyball, allowing players to block shots, spike effectively, and cover more of the court.

Rugby Union: Strength, muscularity, and overall body mass are important in rugby to withstand physical collisions, tackle effectively, and generate power during gameplay.

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Related Pages

• Athlete Body Size Changes Over Time
• Anthropometry at the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games
• Anthropometry at the FIFA Football World Cup
• A discussion about Body Size Testing
• About Anthropometry for Sports
• Anthropometric Charts
• A discussion about Body Composition Testing
• Poll about methods for measuring body composition?
• Methods for measuring muscle mass
• Records for the extremes of height and weight.
• Body Composition and Fitness.