ABSTRACT
The physical composition of the body is relevant in the preparation of games players for competitive performance. Lean tissue such as skeletal muscle contributes to the production of power output during exercise of high intensity. Extra fat mass constitutes an added load to be lifted against gravity when running and jumping. For participants at a recreational level excessive fat deposits lead to becoming overweight and a continuation of this trend leads towards obesity. Appropriate training programmes, together with a controlled diet and favourable genetics, can contribute to the optimal body composition of participants in competitive games. Therefore, measurement of lean and fat tissues, representing a breakdown of the body into two compartments, is of interest to games players, their coaches and scientific support staff. This interest remains even if body composition is not strictly
Introduction 170
Anthropometric measures 172
Levels of organisation 176
The skinfold: myth and reality 186
Mass 189
Conclusion 194
References 196
CHAPTER CONTENTS
a fitness measure, although its components are influenced by physical training and the balance between energy intake and expenditure.
