Kinanthropometric attributes of elite male Judo, Karate and Taekwondo athletes Características cineantropométricas de atletas do sexo masculino de Judô, Karatê e Taekwondo Características cineantropométricas de atletas del sexo masculino de Yudo, Karate, y Taekwondo

Introduction: It is well known that the body composition of an athlete plays a critical role in sports performance. However, although many studies exist concerning the kinanthropometric attributes of mainstream sports, few studies are forthcoming on individual martial arts disciplines, especially in elite athletes. Objective: This study aimed at establishing the kinanthropometric attributes of Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo athletes. Methods: Thirty-eight elite male Judo (n=42, mean age: 21.7±2.9 years), Taekwondo (n=46, mean age: 21.1±2.6 years) and Karate (n=50, mean age: 21.3±3.0 years) athletes were chosen randomly. The study determined and compared stature, body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), body surface area (BSA), sum of skinfolds (ΣSK3), percentage body fat (%BF), and somatotype. Results: The findings of the present study demonstrate that although within normal levels, the sampled Judo athletes have significantly (p<0.05) higher FM, ΣSK3 (particularly at the triceps and subscapular skinfold sites), %BF and lower percentage LBM that either the Taekwondo and Karate athletes. In addition, the sampled Judo athletes displayed a more significant (p<0.05) endomorphic somatotype when compared to the Taekwondo and Karate athletes. Conclusions: These findings are essential in determining the optimal kinanthropometric attributes of elite male Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo athletes and may assist in the context of talent identification.