A comparative analysis of selected anthropometric variables and somatotyping components of Ethiopian female jumpers

Abstract

This study was aimed at the comparative study of some selected anthropometric measurements and somatotyping components of Ethiopian female jumpers. The sample of the study was total 30 female high, long and triple jumper athletes, who participated in Ethiopian first division clubs. The stratified sampling technique was employed to select the athletes. The age of athletes was between 17-26 years. The selected anthropometric variables taken for the study were (Height, weight, BMI, thigh, calf, chest, triceps, subscapular and supraspinal skinfold, femur, humerus and arm and calf girth). The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 version. The result of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences among jumpers across selected anthropometric characteristics and ‘F’ ratio showed significant differences. The Tukey’s Post-hoc test was used to investigate the mean differences and 0.05 confidence level was set. The results of the study revealed that, the mean scores for the Endomorph, thigh and calf skinfold for high jumpers was significantly different for long jumpers. In addition, the mean scores for the sum of 7 fat skinfold, body fat percent, body fat weight and body density of long jumpers were statistically significant varied for high jumper and triple jumper athletes. However, the mean scores of mesomorph, ectomorph, and lean body weight for high jump, long jump and triple jump were not statistically significant varied. The study also revealed that the high jumpers had the highest lean body weight in comparison with other jumpers. Besides, high jumpers had the highest ectomorph component while long and triple jumpers were found to have higher mesomorph component.