Determination of body composition and physical fitness norms for young and adult elite weightlifters

Determination of national norms of body composition and physical fitness in different sports and compare it with other societies'' norms may be present practicable guidelines and promote sport in country. The aim of this study was to codify of the physical fitness norms of young and adult elite weightlifters. Twenty one young (age = 14. 9 ± 1. 18 years) and 29 adult (age = 20. 38 ± 2. 43 years) elite weightlifters were selected as subjects. Data were collected by the means of the body composition and physical fitness tests including % body fat، lean body mass (LBM)، trunk and shoulder flexibility، lower and upper body explosive power. The results showed that LBM، lower and upper body explosive power in adult subjects، and shoulder flexibility in young subjects was higher (p ≤ 0. 01). There was significant correlation between LBM with trunk flexibility (r=0. 29)، lower (r=0. 45) and upper body explosive power (r=0. 60)، and trunk flexibility with lower body explosive power (r=0. 52)، (p ≤ 0. 05). The present study codify national norms of body composition and physical fitness by elite weightlifters، and also revealed explosive power in adult was higher than young weightlifters that can a part of this result related at least to lower % body fat، and higher LBM and trunk flexibility in adult weightlifters.