Body Profile of Olympic-Class Sailors

In brief: This study related physiological characteristics of 30 Olympic-class sailors to their class of vessel and their coach's ranking of performance to see if there is an optimal body type. Successful competitors in general have above-average height and body mass, well-developed abdominal and wrist muscles, 18% ± 4% body fat, and a predicted aerobic power of only 45 ± 8 ml· kg (1)· min(-1) However, optimal requirements differ between categories of vessel and between skipper and crew. The authors suggest that the emphasis on heavy and moderately fat crew members with a low aerobic capacity may have adverse long-term consequences on health. They say height may provide a competitive advantage (particularly if linked to a high center of gravity), whereas mass increases frictional resistance of the vessel. But there is no strong evidence that individuals who match a perfect profile are being selected for national teams.