Introduction: Sepaktakraw requires the player to master a variety of performance skills like jumping, blocking, diving or spiking that are related to the needs of strength, power, agility, and speed during the duration of the game.
Aim: The present study was undertaken with the objective to compare the various anthropometric, body composition and physical fitness parameters for the young Indian female Sepaktakraw players of state and national level.
Methods: Total 44 (20 national and 24 state level) female Sepaktakraw athletes from Sports Authority of India, were chosen for the study. Data were collected on various anthropometric and physiological parameters. % of body fat, % muscle mass, Somatotyping, VO2 Max, Maximum Power, Average Power were calculated following standard protocol.
Results: Mean height, weight, trochantorian height, BMI & Muscle mass were found to be higher in national level female Sepak athletes except percentage of body fat but significant differences were found only in Muscle Mass (P < 0.05). In somatotyping significant (P < 0.01) differences in mesomorph and ectomorph (P < 0.01) were found when compared between the groups. In case of physiological parameters like back strength, aerobic power, anaerobic power, Standing Broad jump and vertical jump found to be higher in National level female Sepak players except trunk flexibility. VO2 Max (P < 0.01) and Average Power (P < 0.05) showed significant difference between two groups.
Conclusion: From the present study it can be concluded that the most key parameters of national level female Sepaktakraw players were higher muscle mass, aerobic power, average power. This study can be used as a reference for selecting athletes of Sepaktakraw and athlete’s performance development purpose.
