THE INFLUENCE OF THE TYPE OF TRAINING ON ANTHROPOMETRIC AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE POPULATION OF COMPETITIVE ATHLETES.

Introduction: The basic measurement of aerobic capability of an organism is the quantity of oxygen uptake (VO2 ml/min/kg). Aerobic power or the maximum aerobic capacity is determined by the maximum value of oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the maximal oxygen uptake between two groups of athletes involved with different training regimes. . Materials and Methods: There were 204 top male athletes from a variety of disciplines participating in our research, aged between 18 and 35. The participants were divided into two groups corresponding to the characteristics of their training: skill sports group (n = 86) and endurance sports group (n = 118). Results: Subjects in the group of skills sports were significantly older than those in the endurance sport group (25 ± 5, 23 ± 4, respectively; p < 0.05). The body height values were significantly higher in the endurance sports group compared to skills sports (185.54 ± 7.24, 183.41 ± 7.79, respectively; p < 0.05). Body weight values did not significantly differ among groups. The body mass index was statistically significantly lower in the endurance sports group when compared to the skill sports group (23,32 ± 1,88 kg/ m2 and 24,80 ± 3,37 kg/m2, respectively; p < 0,001). Testing showed that the body fat percentage statistically significantly higher for the skill sports group when compared to the endurance sports group (13,52 ± 6,45% and 8,39 ± 3,62%, respectively; p < 0,001). The participants part of the skill sports group had a statistically significantly lower oxygen consumption at rest when compare to the endurance sports group (5,87 ± 1,20 ml/min/ kg and 6,54 ± 1,26 ml/min/kg, respectively; p < 0.05). Within the endurance sports group a statistically significantly higher maximum oxygen consumption when compared to the skill sports group (55,35 ± 8,44 ml/ min and 45,50 ± 7,49 ml/min respectively; p < 0,001). Conclusion: The results of our study pointed to the existence of a significant difference in the anthropometric and functional characteristics between the two examined groups of athletes who are in different training regimes. Higher values of maximum oxygen consumption in a group of athletes involved in endurance sport points to a better physical fitness in comparison with the group of skills sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]