Physical Characteristics and Somotatype of Myanmar National Hockey Players

Abstract

Introduction: Performance in Field Hockey depends on different factors. Physical characteristics along with the Body shape and size of the players are one of them. The present study was aimed to find out the physical characteristics as well as Somatotypes of Myanmar National Field Hockey players. Methods:  Twenty national Field Hockey players were measured for their height, weight, and Somatotype during their visit to a neighbuor country for a friendship tour. Health-Carter method (1967) was followed to calculate the Somatotype components. Results: The average Age, Height, and Weight of the Myanmar Hockey players of the present study were 21.7 (±1.1) yr, 164.8 (±4.6) cm, and 56.5 (±5.1) kg respectively. An average Somatotype of 1.7(±0.5)-3.8(±0.9)-2.9(±0.8) was observed for the present study. Conclusions: Most of the players (55 % ) were with Ectomorphic mesomorph body type, whereas  30 % of players were with Mesomorphic ectomorph body type. Rest were with Balanced mesomorph, Endomorphic mesomorph, and Mesomorph ectomorph body type. Compared to other countries, Myanmar Hockey players were shorter than their international counterparts. Thus, the height of the players should be considered during the selection of players at an early stage of Talent identification for good performance in Field Hockey.