Body composition of athletes in Bahrain

Br J Sports Med. 1994 Sep;28(3):157-9. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.28.3.157.

Abstract

A total sample of 304 athletes was selected from first class clubs related to four common sports (football, handball, volleyball and basketball) and compared with 53 non-athlete adults. Weight, height, mid-arm circumference and skinfold thickness were measured to assess their body composition. The findings revealed that there were differences in body composition among athletes according to the type of sport. Basketballers and volleyballers were the tallest athletes, while handballers were the heaviest ones. Skinfold thickness measurements showed that basketball and handball players have more subcutaneous fat than other athletic groups. As compared with non-athletes, the Bahraini players had higher means for height, weight, subscapular, suprailliac thickness and mid-arm circumference.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / anatomy & histology
  • Adipose Tissue / anatomy & histology
  • Adult
  • Arm / anatomy & histology
  • Bahrain
  • Basketball / physiology
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Body Height / physiology
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Football / physiology
  • Humans
  • Humerus / anatomy & histology
  • Kuwait
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Skinfold Thickness
  • Sports / physiology*
  • Thorax / anatomy & histology