Differences in the level of anthropometric measures and body composition between different age categories of taekwondo players in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Doing sports or any physical activity nowadays really has great advantages and positive sides compared to being physically inactive. First of all, it affects the improvement and preservation of health, but also the improvement and increase of the level of anthropological characteristics, which is achieved by implementing adequate procedures for planning, implementing, and controlling exercise. The main goal of this research is to determine the importance of certain anthropometric characteristics and the differences between them in success in sports such as taekwondo. The research was conducted on a sample of 52 members of the taekwondo national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, among three age groups: cadets, juniors, and seniors. For this research, 23 anthropometric points were measured in taekwondo players, as well as fat, muscle mass, water, and visceral fat based on which differences between cadets, juniors, and seniors can be indicated. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used for data processing. The test results are divided into three categories: cadets-juniors, cadets-seniors, and juniors-seniors. After looking at the results of the first category, the conclusion is that there are very significant statistical differences between cadets and juniors in most of the measurements where n was in most cases less than 0.05 (n<0.05). The following parameters did not show significant statistical differences: bicondylar femoral width, arm length, upper arm length, forearm length, upper arm, back and abdominal skinfold, fat, and water. Furthermore, similar results were obtained for the relationship between cadets and seniors. Significant statistical differences are also evident in the mentioned case, except for the following parameters: bicondylar femoral width, width of the ankle joint, arm length, upper arm length, leg length, skin fold of the upper arm, back and abdomen, fat, and water. The only category in which it is visible that there are no significant statistical differences is juniors-seniors. Differences between anthropometric characteristics were established, which in most segments show significant statistical differences. To achieve top results and success in taekwondo, it is necessary to achieve several factors. In addition to regular and persistent training and exercise, it is necessary to pay attention to the lifestyle that is led in addition to training. Nutrition is certainly one of the most important factors, both for successful training and exercise and for achieving top results. Of course, leading a healthy life and adapting the athlete to the living conditions required of a taekwondo player are connected to nutrition. What is certainly important for every taekwondo player is the structure and composition of the body. It is desirable, considering the type and characteristics of this sport, that such athletes have an ectomorphic physique: without a lot of muscle mass and deposits, a high level of endurance, and a fast metabolism. An indispensable aspect of a successful taekwondo player is the percentage of subcutaneous fat. The percentage of subcutaneous fat tissue should be significantly lower compared to other athletes.