Morphological features as a criteria for sports selection in combat sports

Aim. The aim of this study is a rapid assessment of morphological characteristics and differential diagnostics of anthropometric characteristics that contribute to better athletic performance in combat sports. Materials and methods. The morphofunctional measurements were obtained in three groups of men (n = 247) aged from 18 to 31 years: professional athletes (n = 48, Master of Sport and above); non-athletic students (n = 97) and physically fit cadets (n = 102). The one-way ANOVA and multiple discriminant analyses were used in the Statistica 10.0 package. Results. Constant morphological characteristics were found that contributed to athletic performance in combat sports: a well-developed chest; broad shoulders; a low leg to body ratio; a high arm to body ratio; minimal subcutaneous fat (body and limbs). Conclusion. An original mathematical model of differential diagnostics has been developed, which can be used for the objective assessment of both athletes and non-athletes according to a set of morphological characteristics. The results obtained show that the proposed model of rapid assessment should be verified at earlier age groups as an additional formalized criterion for sports selection.