ANTHROPOMETRIC, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN WOMEN BOXERS

Abstract

Boxing is an intermittent sport characterized by short duration, high intensity bursts of activity. It requires significant anaerobic fitness, and operates within a well-developed aerobic system. The performance during competition depends largely on the status of the different physiological mechanisms, apart from the technique, tactics and skill. The present work focused on the anthropometric, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Indian elite women boxers. Fifty (50) women boxers (age range: 17-23 yrs) of Indian National Camp volunteered for this study. Height, body mass, body fat, lean body mass (LBM), VO2max, anaerobic power, strength, haemoglobin (Hb), serum urea, uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured in the laboratory. Optimum levels of body fat, VO2max, Anaerobic capacity, back and grip strength, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLC were noted. In addition, VO2max showed negative correlation with body fat and body mass. It can be suggested that with increase in body mass and fat content VO2max of the athletes decreased. The studies of women boxers are scanty in India. The data of the present study may be used as reference to develop training schedule for women boxers. Government and NGOs should take initiatives to ensure the participations of women in boxing.