# Anthropometric Profiles in Table Tennis Players: Analysis of Sex, Age, and Ranking
## 4 Discussion  
The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in anthropometric attributes of high-level table tennis players according to sex, age, and ranking. The main results showed that: (i) Table tennis players presented differences in body mass composition, anthropometry, and somatotype according to sex, age, and ranking position; (ii) somatotype was predominantly mesomorphic in men and endomorphic in women; (iii) fat mass was <12-15% in men, with some particular differences among categories while women remained constantly <22-25%; (iv) better ranking positions were associated with higher lean mass in boys Under-15 and Under-18, lower fat mass in boys Under-18, and higher lean mass and bone in girls Under-13; (v) greater upper arm girth slightly accounted for a better ranking position, especially in girls Under-11 and Under-13; and (vi) endomorphic somatotype was highly associated with worse ranking positions in boys Under-18, while better players presented a more ectomorphic somatotype. These data provide useful information for coaches about how body type differs throughout formative stages in table tennis and its influence on performance. It seems confirmed that regular table tennis practice during the childhood is associated with a healthy body composition status, that appears to be maintained across older ages if keeping the practice. These results are in line with previous studies [17; 22] and lead to suggest that regular table tennis practice would likely contribute to diminish the excess of fat mass across children. This is relevant considering that insufficient physical activity has raised the levels of unhealthy body composition, overweight, and obesity among children in recent years [33]. Furthermore, physically active children will be more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the adulthood [34]. Thus, our results suggest that table tennis could be an effective strategy to encourage children and adolescents undertaking regular physical activity for optimal health [35]. Another interesting finding is that higher lean mass in the upper-limbs and non-endomorphic somatotype seem to be associated with better performance. These improvements seem to be a consequence of the high-intensity demands during a table tennis at a high level of competition [36; 37]. However, in order to reach this intensity, children are required to have an optimal and enjoyable learning process focused on engagement to avoid early abandonment [35]. Future longitudinal studies would be required to observe the evolution on body composition from young to older ages and confirm whether high muscle mass for young players could lead to future success in their future stages. Senior table tennis players presented a percentage of fat mass below 20% and a muscle mass \(\sim\)45% in men and \(\sim\)37% in women. These results are in line previous studies examining smaller samples [16; 38] and confirm that regular table tennis practice led to a healthy body composition in the adulthood, in terms or low fat mass (12% to 20% in men and 20% to 30% in women) and muscle mass \(>\)33-35% in women and \(>\)36-39% in men [39; 40; 41]. Overall, fat mass values were lower than those observed in other sport disciplines [42]. Compared to other racket sports, high-level table tennis players showed lower fat mass than elite senior padel [3; 43], and closer to elite badminton [44; 45; 46], squash [47; 48], and tennis players [49; 50]. Furthermore, table tennis players presented a shorter stature than other racket sports disciplines [3; 46; 51; 52]. This particular profile can be attributable to the explosive nature of the table tennis competition, characterized by rapid and constant movements [20]. Table tennis players required considerable lower-limb muscles activity [53] to be able to perform brief explosive movements, change direction rapidly, and effectively hit the ball during decisive strokes such as forehand smash and forehand top in repeated occasions during a game [14].