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Sport Sciences for Health

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Open Access 01-06-2020 | Obesity | Original Article

Secular trends in adiposity and musculoskeletal dimensions of elite heavyweight boxers between 1889 and 2019

Authors: Thang S. Han, Tracy G. Callis, Pankaj Sharma, Michael E. J. Lean

Published in: Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

Purpose

With improving nutrition and health, athletes have grown taller and heavier over the past century. Since there is no weight restriction in the heavyweight class, secular changes in anthropometric measurements of heavyweight boxers may mirror those of contemporary general populations.

Objectives

We aimed to (1) examine secular trends in adiposity and musculoskeletal measurements in heavyweight boxers, (2) determine anthropometric differences between champions and unsuccessful challengers.

Methods

Detailed demographics taken at time of contest (first official World Championship to current contest: 1889–2019) were collected from media archives.

Results

All 237 boxers (83 champions, 154 challengers) contesting a recognised heavyweight World Championships were identified. They had mean (± SD) age = 28.9 ± 4.1 years, height = 187.3 ± 6.5 cm, reach = 195.2 ± 9.4 cm, weight = 97.5 ± 11.5 kg, BMI = 27.8 ± 2.4 kg/m² and waist = 87.9 ± 6.2 cm. Contest years explained 25.9% (p < 0.001) of the variance in BMI for champions and 30.9% (p < 0.001) for challengers, 9.1% (p < 0.071) in WC for champions and 19.9% (p < 0.001) for challengers. Contest years correlated with height (r = 0.531, p < 0.001), reach (r = 0.341, p < 0.001), weight (r = 0.603, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.370, p = 0.001) among all documented boxers, and with waist only in challengers (r = 0.349, p < 0.001) but not in champions (r = 0.078, p = 0.509). Compared with challengers, champions had greater stature by + 3.4 cm (p < 0.001), reach + 3.6 cm (p = 0.005) and weight + 3.7 kg (p = 0.017), with similar BMI and waist. Champions had larger biceps and forearms but did not differ from challengers in other musculoskeletal dimensions.

Conclusions

Over 130 years elite heavyweight boxers have increased in size (BMI) and reach but waists in champions have remained static. Being heavier, taller with longer and bigger arms, but with similar in BMI and waist, appear to be differentiating factors between champions and challengers.

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Title: Secular trends in adiposity and musculoskeletal dimensions of elite heavyweight boxers between 1889 and 2019
Authors: Thang S. Han
Tracy G. Callis
Pankaj Sharma
Michael E. J. Lean
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer Milan
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Published in: Sport Sciences for Health / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1824-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1825-1234
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00598-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Secular trends in adiposity and musculoskeletal dimensions of elite heavyweight boxers between 1889 and 2019

Abstract

Purpose

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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