An Investigation of Selected Variables of Indian Track & Field Athletes – A Factor Analysis Approach

Exploring the factors affecting performance in Indian track & field athletes

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the selected anthropometric and physical fitness parameters as the selection criteria of Indian track field athletes through the factorial analysis approach. For this purpose (N=75) male track fields athletes were randomly selected from five different universities of central region of India. The age of those subjects was ranging from 18 to 23 years. Seven anthropometric parameters were measured namely, Standing Height, Body Weight, Arm Length, Chest Circumference, Leg Length, Thigh Circumference, Calf Circumference. Principal component factor analysis was used for extracting factor scores from the above mentioned selected variables, which would be adopted as an indicator of the performance capability in track Fields events. Findings revealed two extracted factors, according to the content of their respective items, and were named Anthropometric factor and Girth factor.