Antropometric characteristics and aerobic fitness of blind athletes of 5-a-side football

Abstract

Objective:  The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics and aerobic fitness of blind athletes of 5-a-side football.

Methodology: Five blind Brazilian male athletes (32.6 ± 8.0 years) from a national level team participated in this research. The athletes underwent an anthropometric evaluation to obtain the following measurements: skinfold thickness, body perimeters, bone diameters, height and body mass. From these measures, the parameters were calculated: body fat percentage, lean mass percentage, bone weight percentage, ? of the 9 skin folds and body mass index. For the assessment of aerobic fitness, the 20m Shuttle run test was chosen, using the equation VO_2max. = - 24.4 + 6.0 x V, to estimate the maximum VO₂ in adults.

Results: The anthropometric characteristics described for the athletes were compatible with the specificities of the modality and elite level. However, the average values ??of VO_2max (36.3 ± 4.7 ml.-1 Kg.-1^min.) are below those presented by elite athletes of the modality, suggesting the need for greater aerobic training for better performance in responses to functional, motor, technical and tactical requirements at stake, consistent with high performance.

Conclusion: The knowledge of the physical and functional conditions of these blind athletes of 5-a-side football may contribute to guidance and monitoring of training, optimizing sports performance.