Acceso usuarios
Santiago, Chile
Introduction: The body composition and anthropometric characteristics of the players are factors that can influence sports performance. Additionally, body shape and size can provide a mechanical advantage during play. Furthermore, sports performance is negatively affected by de hydration, being responsible for the deterioration of the technical skills of athletes.Objective: To characterize the body composition and hydration status in adolescent tennis and basketball players from Santiago de Chile.
Materials and Methods: Descriptive study, in 20 ath-letes, of which 9 were table tennis players and 11 male bas-ketball players from Santiago, Chile. Body composition was determined using the proposed Kerr and Ross method, body mass index, muscle/bone index and hydration status by Urine Specific Gravity. Each participant signed an informed consent. For statistical analysis, the p value was calculated using the Student t test at 5% significance.
Results: The body composition of the players evaluated was: Adipose tissue: 28.25%; muscle tissue: 46.08%; bone tissue:10.25%; residual tissue: 9.65% and skin tissue: 5.75%. Bone tissue (p=0.000) and residual tissue (p=0.004) were greater inbasketball players and adipose tissue was greater in table tennis players (p=0.040), presenting significant differences. The Urine Specific Gravity was 1.024 g*mL-1 ± 0.007 g*mL-1 and70% of those evaluated were dehydrated.
Conclusion: The athletes evaluated were characterized bya high percentage of adipose tissue and a low level of hydration, a situation that affects sports performance. The work ofthe nutritionist is vital to promote adequate nutrition and hydration during training and competitions.
