Physique of female track and field athletes

Abstract
A series of anthropometric dimensions were taken on 66 college age female track and field athletes and on 30 non-athlete college age (range: 17.6–25.0 years) females. The athletes were classified into five categories: sprinters; distance runners; junipers (including hurdlers); discus and javelin throwers; and shot-putters. The sprinters are short-legged and muscular, with especially muscular arms. The jumpers and hurdlers are longer-legged, muscular and linear in build, while the throwers are tallest and heaviest, with broad shoulders and hips, large muscles and more body fat. The distance runners are small, with narrow shoulders and hips, and slight in muscularity. The non-athletes are most like the distance runners in overall size. The controls, however, have more body fat and are slightly broader in build.