Body Composition and Somatotype of Premenarchael and Menarchael Ballet School Female Dancers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the morphological characteristic taking into account somatotype and body composition in order to compare premenarcheal and menarcheal ballet school female dancers.

The research material consisted of 24 female students from Ballet School in Poland aged 10-19. They were qualified to particular groups due to occurrence of menstruation. Twelve ballet dancers aged 12.13±1.9 years before menarche were included in group one (premenarcheal dancers). Group two consisted of 12 dancers aged 16.70±2.12 years who already menstruate (menarcheal dancers). To evaluate the body built type the Heath-Carter method based on Sheldon's classical concept of three body built components was employed. Body composition was assessed by BIA using the Tanita BC-418MA Segmental Body Composition Analyser. The main findings of this research are that premenarcheal ballet school students had balanced ectomorph somatotype profile and menarcheal ballet dancers had central somatotype profile. From these data it could be observed that there are no statistically significant differences between the group of premenarcheal and menarcheal ballet dancers for the following variables: supraspinale skinfold, endomorphy and ectomorphy components, somatotype and FAT%. Percentage value of the fat tissue in the body falls with age among the testees. Premenarcheal and menarcheal ballet dancers had slim body built and low content of fat tissue in the body but it doesn't threaten their health. Despite a big number of training hours and great pressure by the teachers to keep low body weight the tested ballet dancers develop correctly, what is shown by the BMI and FAT%.