Abstract des Autors

Anthropometric measurements were taken on 34 male and 9 female Indian cyclists who attended a national coaching camp at Patialia with a view to evaluating their body composition, morphology and somatotype. The measurements were taken in the mornings to avoid any possible effects of fatigue on height and other body dimensions. Body fat was calculated from skinfolds using the formulae devised by Durnin and Womersley (1974) and somatotype was assessed using the Heath and Carter (1967) method. The male and female cyclists were significantly heavier and possessed greater limb girths and skeletal diameters than their control counterparts. The percentage of body fat was similar in female cyclists and controls. The cyclists showed a greater development of musculo-skeletal tissue of the lower extremity relative to height than controls. The somatotypes of male and female cyclists were 2.76-3.90-3.1 and 5.17-3.22-2.56, respectively. Compared to the control groups, the cyclists of both sexes were more mesomorphic and stocky. Since the maximum share of the power transfer to the pedals is that of the lower extremities, therefore, highly developed calf and thigh muscles and those of the buttocks and hips of the cyclists seem to have a definite advantage. Verf.-Referat