Anthropometry, body composition, somatotype and asymmetry of canoe sprint world champion: A case study.

This article focuses on the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, somatotype, and asymmetries of the 2023 women's world champion in the C1-1000 sprint canoeing event. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry, the athlete was found to have a balanced mesomorph somatotype with low fat mass (approximately 16–19%) and high lean muscle mass, factors associated with elite sports performance. The study also identified mild bilateral asymmetries favoring the athlete's dominant (right) side, particularly in trunk muscle and bone mass, which are typical in canoeing due to the sport's unilateral demands. Although limited by a single participant and non-competition timing, the findings underscore the relevance of detailed body composition and asymmetry assessments for optimizing training, performance, and talent identification in sprint canoeing.