The anthropometric and performance characteristics of high-performance junior life savers

To date, limited research has reported the physical attributes of adult life savers, and no such data exist for junior life savers. The purpose of the present investigation was to describe the anthropometric and performance characteristics of junior high-performance life savers and identify any gender differences. Thirty-three male ((Mean ± SD) age: 13.8±1.5 yrs; stature: 164.3±9.4 cm; mass: 54.5±11.2 kg) and 30 female (age:13.5±1.6 yrs; stature: 157.7±9.1 cm; mass: 49.5±9.6 kg) high-performance life savers had anthropometric measures taken and completed a battery of performance tests. Anthropometric measurements included stature, mass and arm span, whilst the performance measures taken were vertical jump height, 5 m and 20 m sprint times, maximal velocity, hamstring flexibility, agility, maximal aerobic capacity, and chest, back and leg strength. Unpaired t-tests revealed significant (p<0.05) gender differences for stature, arm span, vertical jump height, 20m sprint time, hamstring flexibility, agility, maximal aerobic capacity and back and leg strength. The present results provide normal values for junior high-performance life savers and indicate that male competitors are physically advanced at this level.