Functional capacity and body composition in top weight-lifters,swimmers, runners and skiers

Summary Groups of top weight lifters, swimmers, runners and skiers were examined as regards functional capacity (maximal oxygen consumption measured during graded work load on a horizontal tread-mill), body build and composition (densitometry). Significant differences in mean ages (highest in skiers, lowest in swimmers) and body dimensions, attributable to natural selection, were found (highest length dimensions in swimmers, lowest in weight lifters). According to the specificity of training in individual disciplines studied, runners had lowest body weight and highest lean body mass proportion, and weight-lifters (who had highest relative weight) had lowest lean body mass proportion. Highest values of ventilation, breathing frequency, maximal oxygen consumption and oxygen pulse in skiers simultaneously with lowest pulse frequency were found; the reverse applies for weight lifters. Mutual relationships between somatic and functional characteristics in individual groups were evaluated.