Prediction of performance of university hockey players in relation to their anthropometric and physical fitness variables

Abstract

Anthropometry is the science that deals with measurements of size, weight and proportions of human body. It provides scientific methods and observations on the living humans. Anthropometric techniques (skinfold fat, circumference and diameter measurements) are popular for predicting body composition because they are not much expensive, require little space and can be performed easily (Behenke and Willmore, 1974 and Pollock and Willmore, 1990). Anthropometry is oftenly used in physical education, sports science, physical activity and biomedical sciences. Anthropomtric measurements can be divided into height, weight and lengths, breadth or width, circumferences or girths, depths and skinfolds. All measurements of individual are external dimensions of the body. Reid (1978) investigated the relationship of anthropometric measurements, strength and flexibility of lower limbs to the skating speed of 17 university hockey players. The tests conducted were leg strength, grip strength, lower limb flexibility, skating speed test and anthropometry of legs. The results revealed that the flexibility was considered a necessary factor to each and a general skating body type. Flexibility was found to be correlated with strength but anthropometry and flexibility were not related to skating speed. Kansal et al. (1980) investigated the national football and hockey players with regard to their aerobic power and body composition according to their field positions. It was found that the players of different positions were quite similar in body mass, body weight and aerobic power. Kansal et al. (1980) further suggested that the body proportions of defenders and offenders did not differ much. The two groups showed significant difference in body size and other body measurements.Selection of Subjects The subjects for the present study consisted of hockey players who participated at university level. 200 subjects from the various universities who participated in the north zone inter-university level competitions were selected