배드민턴 청소년대표 선수들의 형태학적 특성

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of Korean youth national badminton players and to compare anthropometric variables and somatotype differences according to school level (middle vs. high school). A total of 100 athletes (40 middle school and 60 high school) officially selected by the Korea Badminton Association participated in this study. Twenty-one anthropometric variables, including height, weight, seven skinfolds, four circumferences, four breadths, and four lengths, were measured following the standardized procedures of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), and somatotypes were determined using the Heath-Carter method. Descriptive statistics and independent-sample t-tests were conducted, with the significance level set at α = .05. The results showed that male high school players had significantly greater height, weight, limb lengths, and muscle-related circumferences compared with middle school players, while skinfolds at several sites were lower; however, both groups shared the same somatotype, Ectomorphic Mesomorph (2-4-3). Female high school players demonstrated significantly greater height, weight, limb lengths, and circumferences, with an average somatotype of Central type (3-3-3), whereas middle school players were classified as Endomorphic Mesomorph (3-4-2). These findings indicate that Korean youth badminton players generally exhibit mesomorph-oriented body types with low body fat, while developmental differences are more distinct in female athletes. The results provide useful evidence for talent identification and long-term athlete development strategies in youth badminton.