Optimising physique for sports performance

Abstract

Physical morphology or physique, including body mass or composition, size and shape, is important to optimise athletic performance in many sports. Routine monitoring of body composition amongst athletic populations remains a common practice and provides insight into growth, diet and training adaptations not otherwise available. Examples provided include weightlifting and bodybuilding, sprinting, combat and aesthetic sports. Characteristics such as body mass, lean mass and fat mass are plastic and are able to be manipulated.