Artigos

Physiological profiles and sport specific fitness of Asian elite squash players

There is a scarcity of descriptive data on the physiological
characteristics of elite Asian squash players. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate the physiological profile and
sports specific fitness of Hong Kong elite squash players. It
was conducted before the selection of the Hong Kong
national squash team for the 1992 Asian Squash Championship.

Ten elite squash players were selected as subjects
for the study. Maximum oxygen uptake was measured
using a continuous treadmill running test. A sports specific
field test was performed in a squash court. The following
means(s.d.) were observed: height 172.6(4.3) cm; weight
67.7(6.9) kg; body fat 7.4(3.4)%; forced vital capacity
(FVC) 5.13(0.26) litres; maximum oxygen uptake (VOm.)
61.7(3.4) ml kg-l min1; anaerobic threshold (AT)
80.2(3.3)% of V02.D; alactic power index 15.5(1.8)
W kg-1; lactic work index 323.5(29.4)JJkg-', peak isokinetic dominant knee extensor and flexor strengths
3.11(0.29) Nm kg-' and 1.87(0.18) Nm kg-'. The results
show that the Hong Kong squash players have relatively
high cardiorespiratory sports specific fitness and muscle
strength which may be one of the key factors that
contributed to the success of the Hong Kong team in the
Asian Championship.