Comparison of body fat percentage and physical performance of male national senior and junior karate athletes

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the body fat percentage and physical performance of male national senior and junior karate athletes. Sixteen male karate kumite competitors of the national karate team (senior n = 8; junior n = 8) participated in this study. The tests included both assessment of selected anthropometric variables (body height, weight and body fat percentage) and the following physical performance namely strength, power of lower extremity, agility, flexibility and maximal oxygen consumption. Senior athletes revealed a significant on lower body fat percentage, greater strength and leg power, lesser time in agility and higher in oxygen consumption (p < 0.05) but no significant difference in flexibility compared to junior team (p > 0.05). It can be concluded that senior karate athletes’ physical performance are superior compared to the junior athletes.

Keywords: body fat percentage; physical performance; senior and junior karate athletes