Programmed training effects on body composition indicators of female karate athletes from 12 to 14 years of age

Background & Study Aim: Karate is sport who has high demands for energy consumption due to constant dynamic movements in training and fights. Transformation process in sport is ability to change body physiology using training methods. The aim of this research are the effects of a three month programmed training on body composition indicators in female karate athletes from 12 to 14 years of age. Material & Methods: Twenty-two female karate athletes from 12 to 14 years of age have been submitted to a three month programmed training. Measuring the body composition indicators was conducted by Tanita BC420SMA – bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), scale specifically used for the analysis of seven indicators relevant for karate sport, differentiated by weight classes. For determining the programmed training effects, paired sample T-test was used at the level of statistical significance of p<0.05. Results: Three month programmed training resulted in changes regarding weight (p = 0.020), FM% (p = 0.012), FMkg (p = 0.01) and BMI (p = 0.002), and statistically significant increase in variables TBW% (p = 0.007). Concerning the variables FFM, MMSS and TBWkg, there were no statistically significant changes noted. Conclusions: The results of this research have indicated that under the influence of programmed training in karate, positive transformations can be expected within the indicators of body composition in girls between 12 and 14 years of age. Transformation is most certainly a result of natural growth and development occurring in girls, but likewise a combination of programmed training and adequate nutrition.