Version 2 2024-06-13, 12:29Version 2 2024-06-13, 12:29
Version 1 2018-10-05, 13:29Version 1 2018-10-05, 13:29
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-13, 12:29authored byD Hoffman, S Robertson, P Bourdon, A Douglas, P Gastin
Background: The increasing focus on international sporting success has led to many countries introducing sport schools and academies. Limited empirical evidence exists that directly compares student-athletes from different continents. This study investigated whether male Australian and Qatari student-athletes differ in anthropometry, physical fitness and biological maturity. Methods: 150 male student-athletes (72 Qatari, 78 Australian; age = 11.8-18.6 y) completed a fitness testing session involving anthropometric (standing height, sitting height, leg length, body mass, peak height velocity (PHV) measures) and physical capacity (40 m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) tests. Differences were assessed using a one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), effect size (Cohen’s d) and regression coefficients. Results: The Australian student-athletes possessed a greater standing height and body mass (P < 0.01) at their age at PHV (APHV) and had an increased rate of leg length development (P < 0.05) in contrast to the sitting height of the Qataris (P < 0.01). The Qatari student-athletes had significantly (P < 0.01) faster 40 m sprint times (mean±SD: 5.88±0.53 vs 6.19±0.44 s) and greater CMJ heights (36.9 ± 7.2 vs 34.0 ± 6.0 cm) than their Australian counterparts. Although not statistically different, the Qatari student-athletes also matured earlier (APHV: d = 0.35) and had greater aerobic power results (predicted VO2max: d = 0.22). Conclusions: Despite lower stature and body mass values, Qatari student-athletes exhibited physical fitness ascendancy over their Australian counterparts.