The Relationship between Posture and Somatotype with Performance of Iran National Dragon Boat Women

Abstract

Success in a specific sport field requires not only good physical condition but also knowledge of body structure and somatotype suitable for that sport. The aim of the present study was to study the relationship between posture and somatotype with biomechanical performance of Iran national dragon boat women. All 20 dragon boat rowers of Iran national team participated in this study as the sample. Postural parameters (kyphosis, lordosis, dorsal and lumbar scoliosis, and uneven shoulders) and biomechanical parameters (speed, strength, and anaerobic capacity) were the variables of the research. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics including one-sample t test, multivariate regressions, and one-way ANOVA were used for data analysis at P?0.05. The findings showed that most rowers suffered from postural deviations to some extent. Comparing the average postural parameters of the rowers and the control group revealed that rowers had higher levels of lordosis, lumbar scoliosis, and uneven shoulders. A significant relationship was observed between speed and strength with postural parameters while there was no significant relationship between anaerobic capacity and postural parameters. Moreover, in terms of somatotype, there was a significant relationship between mesomorphy and anaerobic capacity. The results indicated a relationship between a percentage of spinal deviation and somatotype of dragon boat women and rowers. In order to have a clearer interpretation of the results of the present research, more studies, especially longitudinal, are suggested in this regard.