The Study of The Somatotypes of the Turkish National Rafting Team

Aim: In the study, it was aimed to determine the somatotype characteristics of the male athletes of the Turkish National Rafting Team. 8 male rafting athletes from the Turkish National Rafting Team voluntarily participated in the study during the national team camp in Rize before 2015 World Rafting Champs-Indonesia. Material and Methods: The age, height, weight, skinfold thickness, circumference, and width measurements of the athletes participated in the study were taken at the Performance Lab of Physical Education and Sports Academy, Karadeniz Technical University. Heath-Carter method was used to determine their somatotypes. The statistical analyses of the measurements were carried out by using SPSS 13. Results: The mean values of the participant male rafting athletes of the Turkish National Rafting Team (n=8) were found as follows; mean age 21 years old; mean height 175.68±3.32 cm; mean body weight 76.00±7.96kg. The mean values of the somatotype components of the athletes were found as endomorphy 2.23±0.88, mesomorphy 5.04±0.91, ectomorphy 1.92±0.94. Although there are various studies on determining somatotype characteristics in Sports Science, those related to rafting are limited in number.  Conclusion: We are of the opinion that our study, in addition to determining the somatotype characteristics of the male rafting athletes of the Turkish National Rafting Team, will also contribute to the studies carried out in this field.


INTRODUCTION
Anthropometry in general: is a systematic technique which sizes the objective characteristics of the human body with principles and classifies the certain methods of measuring according to the structure (Maud & Foster, 2006;Ozer, 1993). In other words, Anthropometry is a metric evaluation of individual's body features (Ackland, Ong, Kerr & Ridge, 2003;Akin & Sagir, 2000).
The research based on anthropometric features, it has been aimed to find out which body profile suits which branch and thus the selection of the athletes suitable for these profiles are made during the talent selection process (De Garay, Levine & Carter, 1974;Sogut, Muniroglu & Deliceoglu, 2004). The ratio of the length, width and circumference of the body parts determine who will be more advantageous in terms of mechanics during sportive activities (Fry & Morton, 1991;Tahillioglu, Sevim, Pulur & Alpkaya, 2000).
For many years, the appropriate body type has been considered to play an important role in sport performance. The studies reveal significant differences between the body types of the athletes engaged in different sport branches. However, body size, proportion, body composition are important factors that affect physical performance (Carter, 1984;Maud & Foster, 1995).
Anthropometric data are useful because some anthropometric variables are correlated with performance (Fry & Morton, 1991;Van Someren & Palmer, 2003). Somatotype is the identification of the human body in terms of ectomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy by using scientific methods. (Maud & Foster, 1995;Ozer, 1993).
Somatic classification or determining the body type is the concern of somatotype. When the literature was examined, no research was found on rafting sport and somatotype. The determination of somatotype structures of athletes at the national team level may play a decisive role in talent selection and training programs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the somatotype characteristics of the Turkish National Rafting Team.

METHOD
Participants 8 male rafting athletes from the Turkish National Rafting Team (mean age 21) voluntarily participated in the study during the national team camp in Rize before 2015 World Rafting Champs-Indonesia. Ethical Considerations: Participants were taken from the general health check in an appropriate health facility before the measurements. Participants were informed about the aim and content of the study, and written informed consent was obtained from each subject before initiating any research procedures. The participants were assured of their right to refuse to participate or to withdraw from the study at any time. Anonymity and confidentiality of patient data were guaranteed.

Inclusion Criteria
• Be a national team sportsman • Have participated in at least 10 competitions in the national team.
• No acute or chronic illness in terms of general health status. Design and protocol: The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the somatotype characteristics of the Turkish National Rafting Team.
In our study body weight, height, skin fold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapula, suprailiac, calf) measurements, the circumference (biceps, calf) and width measurements (elbow, knee) were taken. In our study Heath-Carter method was used to determine the somatotypes of the athletes (Carter & Heath, 1990). The following equations were uses for calculating somatotype.

Data Collection
The anthropometric measurements of the athletes in the sample group were taken in accordance with the accredited techniques by "International Biological Programme (IBP)" (Carter & Heath, 1990;Lohman, Roche & Martorel, 1988) and "International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)" (Diafas, Dimakopoulou, Diamanti, Zelioti, Kaloupsis, 2011;Ross & Marfell-Jones 1991). These measurements were carried out by one-trained investigators using standardized procedures. The person responsible for assessment had 3 years experience in this type of procedure. Instruments were calibrated prior to use and all variables except body mass and height measurements were taken on the subject's right side. Every measurement was taken three times by the same person, and the mean value was used for calculation. All anthropometric measurements were taken in the morning (08:00-11:00 hours). Weight was measured to the nearest 0.1kg in light clothes without footwear using a digital scale (Seca, Birmingham, UK). Height was measured with as stadiometer to the nearest 1mm. Widths and diameters of body parts were measured by using sliding calliper. Circumferences were measured with a non-elastic tape to the nearest 1mm. lengths were taken with the steel tape to the nearest 0.5cm. Skinfold thickness measurements were taken with a Lafayette calliper (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN, USA). Body density (BD) was estimated using the method of Jackson and Pollock (Jackson & Pollock, 1978). BD was transformed to %BF by the Brozek's equation (Brozek, Grande, Anderson & Keys, 1963). Height-adjusted endomorph values were used and the somatotypes were plotted on a two-dimensional grid system somato-chart using the appropriate software (Somatotype 1.2 software).

Statistical Analysis
Arithmetic mean and the standard deviations of all measurements taken were calculated. SPSS 13,0 program was used for the statistical analysis of the measurements. Using the following equations (with standard formulations) somatotype values were calculated.

RESULTS
In our study, the Turkish National Rafting Team athletes' (n=8) mean weight and height were found as 76.00±7.96kg and 175.68±3.32cm respectively. When the triceps-one of the measurements used to determine body fat amount-was examined, triceps skinfold thickness was found as 6.75±3.05mm. When the values of suprailiac and subscapular skinfold thicknesses (these sites are located in the center of the body and reflect the amount of fat in the centre) were examined, the former was found as 6.65±3.25mm and the latter was found as 10.22±2.24mm. In our study, the value of Calf skinfold thickness was found as 11.51±8.41mm. Of the examined anthropometric variables, biceps and calf circumference were found as 32.50±2.12cm, and 35.40±2.11cm respectively. The elbow and knee width values-of the anthropometric measurements carried out in our study-were as 6.95±0.29cm and as 10.15±0.42cm respectively (Table 1). Individual somatotype values of the male rafting athletes of the Turkish National Rafting Team participated in our study are given in Table 2.

DISCUSSION
The goal in all branches of sports achieves success. The scientific researches which are increasing more in our country, have a positive influence on success. It has been shown that the structural characteristics of the body have a tendency to differentiate in various sport branches and different categories of the same sport branches. The data obtained is important in terms of; being a guidance to the sport branches for athletes; education of the young athletes; the training and improvement of performance of the elite level athletes. Therefore, the determinations of the morphological and physiological structures of the athletes are crucial (Akin & Sagir, 2000;Alacid, Marfell-Jones, López-Miñarro, Martínez & Muyor, 2011;Diafas et al., 2011;Ridge, Broad, Kerr & Ackland, 2007;Carter &Heath 1990;Ross & Marfell-Jones, 1991;Heyward & Stolarczy, 1996;Zorba & Ziyagil, 1995).
Therefore, the anthropometric measurements taken in early periods of the athlete's sport training (height, body weight, length measurements etc.) are important.
Our study carried out in accordance with this objective recruited the Turkish National Male Rafting Team Paddlers' and determined their somatotypes.
Anthropometric data available for male and female, elite sprint canoe/kayak paddlers suggest a homogenous shape and size (Ackland et al., 2003). Ackland et al. noted that sprint kayak paddlers possess unique characteristics, which not commonly observed in the general population. These include a lean body composition with proportionately large upper body girths and narrow hips (for males). The mean somatotype recorded for males by Ackland et al. was 1.6 -5.7 -2.2 and demonstrated that canoe paddlers are best described as mesomorphs. Ackland et al. 50 males and 20 females sprint canoeists/skiers were assessed in Sydney Olympic Games, which represented 9 countries.
Sydney Olympic paddlers compared to paddlers represented at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, were approximately five kilograms heavier on average. However, with comparable skin fold values for the two groups, it was suggested by Ackland et al. (2003) that the subjects in the present sample have a higher proportion of lean body mass. Therefore, it was speculated by Ackland et al. that the morphology of elite paddlers has altered during the past 25 years and shifted toward a heavier but more lean physique. Alacid et al. (2011) in their studies found the mean somatotype for 13-year-old male paddlers as 2.7-4.8-3.1 and 14-year-old male paddlers as 2.6-4.6-3.1 and described them as balanced mesomorphs.
When the canoe and somatotype studies in literature are examined, canoe athletes have mesomorphic or endomorphic mesomorphic structure; In the study of Diafas et al. (2011) men skiers who participated in their study are best described as endomorphic-mesomorph. Carter, Ross, Aubry, Hebbelink & Borms. (1982) found the somatotype of the male canoeists paddlers who participated in the Montreal Oliympics as 1.5-5.2-3.1. De Garay et al. (1974) in their studies found the mean somatotype of the canoe paddlers who participated in 1968 Mexico City Olympics as 1.9-5.5-2.5. Stepnicka, Chytrackova, Kasalicka & Kubrychtova (1979) in his study found the mean somatotype of the Czechoslovakian speed canoe paddlers as 2.0-5.8-2.1. Stepnicka et al. in their studies found the mean somatotype of the slalom canoe paddlers as 2.1-5.7-2.3. Meszaros & Mohacsi (1982) in their studies found the mean somatotype of the Hungarian canoe paddlers as 2.2-5.5-2.5.  in their studies found the mean somatotype of the American (the USA) slalom canoe paddlers as 2.9-5.2-2.4.
Even though there are researches on different paddlers branches and somatotype structure, no research has been found on rafting branch and somatotype structure in the literature. For this reason, the determination of somatotype structures of rafting athletes at the elite level is important in terms of literature and practitioners.
In our study the Turkish National Male Rafting Team Paddlers' mean age was 19.10±2.68 years old, mean height was 176.20±5.69cm, mean body weight was 74.54±10.71kg and values of the mean somatotype were 2.2-5.4-1.9 and they were determined as endomorphic mesomorph.
With the results obtained, somatotype structures of elite rafting athletes were revealed. On the other hand, it has been found that the somatotype structures of different paddlers and rafting athletes are similar.

CONCLUSION
As a result, it is considered that the studies on somatotypes of the rafting paddlers, who are scarce in our country, will contribute to the literature, and we believe that performing such studies on larger study groups and on athletes from different branches will bring better results as well.
On the other hand, knowing the somatotype structure of national team athletes will help trainers determine talent selection criteria and training programs.
Working with a single national team and one age group in the study is the limitation of this research.