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Track & Field Anthropometric Testing

Anthropometry is the measurement of body size, structure, and composition. With the wide range of disciplines within the sport of track and field, there is an equally wide range of body types that are suitable for the events.

There are many anthropometry tests that are appropriate for all track and field athletes, such as: skinfolds, height and body mass. There may to other specific tests depending on the athletic discipline that you are interested in.

We have also compared the anthropometric measurements of Olympic champions in the 100m and the marathon, showing how body size and shape has changed in elite sport over the last century.

start of a track distance running event

Anthropometry and Olympic Athletes

London 2012 Olympic Games

Here is some information from the analysis of the anthropometric data (height, weight and age) from the athletics participants at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Out of all the Olympic sports, track and field probably has the greatest range of body types, from the tall and skinny high jumpers to the bulky throwers. The averages listed below do not fully represent the variability in the sport.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Here is average data from the analysis of the anthropometric data of the athletics participants at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Related Pages

• Olympic Games Anthropometry for other sports in 2012
• Anthropometry of Olympic 100m sprinters and marathon runners
• anthropometry testing
• Fitness testing for Track and Field
• eTID testing for athletics
• Fitness Testing for Sprinters
• Fitness Testing for other Sports including sport-specific tests
• Complete List of Fitness Tests

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