Anthropometric Characteristics of Young Bocce Athletes in the Raffa Specialty: An Analysis of Physical Parameters in Junior Players of National Level

Background. The sport of bocce, and in particular the specialty of Raffa, has seen significant competitive development in recent decades, but the scientific literature on the anthropometric characteristics of athletes, especially among young people, is still limited. Objectives. This study aimed to analyze the physical characteristics of Raffa’s junior players at national level, focusing on anthropometric variables such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Materials and methods. A sample of twenty athletes, divided into a research group consisting of ten athletes of national interest and a control group of ten non-competitive practitioners, was subjected to baseline measurements during regional events. Results. The findings showed an average height of 170.5 cm and an average weight of 65.8 kg for the research team, with an average BMI of 22.63, indicating a condition of normal weight. However, 33.3% of the athletes in the research group were overweight or class I obese, suggesting the need for greater attention to physical preparation. The data were compared with those of the control group, which had an average height of 173.5 cm, an average weight of 74.5 kg and a BMI distribution with 50% of the athletes classified as overweight. The results were discussed in relation to the initial hypotheses and the existing literature. Conclusions. This study offers important insights for the development of personalized training programs and for the selection of young talents, highlighting the importance of adequate physical preparation. Future prospects include deepening the analysis of the somatotype and the use of larger and more diverse samples.