Body composition techniques in health and disease: The role of body physique assessment in sports science

Introduction Physique is comprised of three distinct, yet interrelated components, namely, body size, structure and composition (Boileau & Lohman, 1977). The elements of physique thus defined have been adopted for this text. Body size refers to the physical magnitude of the body and its segments (e.g. length, mass, volume, surface area). Body structure alludes to the distribution or body parts expressed as ratios (e.g. inverse ponderal index). Body composition adverts to the amount of the various constituents in the body (e.g. fat, water, mineral, protein). Interest in the influence of body physique on physical performance dates back to antiquity (Gunther, 1975). Contrast the physique of a sumo wrestler with that of a marathon runner, or the physique of a volleyball player with that of a gymnast. Two striking observations become immediately apparent. Within a particular sport and position, the physiques of elite athletes appear similar. In contrast, body size, structure and composition differ markedly among athletes of different sports. Why is the assessment of physique important? The assessment of physique can be used to ascertain an individual's readiness for sport participation in terms of injury prevention. A chemically immature skeleton is less able to withstand the trauma and shearing stresses incurred in contact sports (e.g. football) or in sports with repeated internal trauma (e.g. long distance running, pitching) than a mature skeleton, thus rendering the athlete more prone to fractures and avulsions. The assessment of physique can also be utilised to characterise the profiles of athletes in different sports. An individual with a particular profile can be encouraged to participate in the sport for which he or she is physically best suited.