Aims of this study were to describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of male (M) and female (F) Italian junior badminton players and to determine differences between national team (NT) and regional level (RL). Methods: 154 (89M; 65F) athletes were divided into groups according to age (under 13-15 and under 17-19), gender and level. Height (H), body weight (BW), skinfolds, circumferences and diameters were recorded to determine body mass index (BMI), % fat mass (%FM) and somatotype. Results: In U13-15: anthropometric characteristics and body composition were not significantly different between M-NT and M-RL; F-NT had lower BMI (18.0±2.0 vs 20.1±2.5 kg/m2; p=0.047) and %FM (14.3±6.5 vs 19.5±6.7 %; p=0.049) compared to F-RL. In U17-19: H was significantly higher (181±3.2 vs 176±6.0 cm; p=0.048) in M-NT, respect to M-RL and %FM was very low, but similar, in both group (6.6±1.5 vs 7.6±4.4 %); BW was higher (66.1±10.3 vs 58.0±5.9 kg; p=0.025) in F-NT than F-RL, without significant differences in %FM (21.3±9.3 vs 21.0±4.7 % p=0.89). As for somatotype, there were no significant differences between NT and RL in both U13-15 and U17-19. The mean somatotype of M players could be defined as ectomesomorphic and the mean somatotype of F players could be defined as ectomorphic for U13-15 and endomorphic for U17-19. Conclusions: The data suggest that anthropometric and body composition parameters are not able to discriminate Italian national and regional level male U13-15 badminton players. On the other hand, these parameters can be considered for selection of female U13-15, female U17-19 and male U17-19 in national team. Somatotype confirmed differences between M and F, but was not able to distinguish the national level.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Veröffentlicht von Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. / Übersetzt mit https://www.DeepL.com/Translator