DOCUMENTATION FOR THE PONDEX SITE (C)2008 The Reader All rights reserved OVERVIEW PONDEX aims to give the user a list of possible sports where he/she may be successful after he/she enters various parameters. PONDEX also aims for ease of use and minimal equipment. METHOD USED: PONDEX makes use of the method developed by Dr. Kin-Itsu Hirata known as PONderal inDEX (Now you know where the name came from!). Note that PONDEX is based primarily on his findings. His recommendations were taken into consideration: 1) He recommends a selection period of two (2) years before the Olympics. This hopefully, gives enough time for the athletes to prepare for the olympics. All the values used in PONDEX were based on his findings, except where noted). 2) He exclusively used HEIGHT, WEIGHT and AGE as a selection criteria. While other methods can be used (e.g. Sargent Jump test, VO2 Max testing, Shuttle runs, Somatotyping etc.), this is the easiest and can be used by anybody with a web-enabled computer. This method was designed for Phys. Ed. teachers, coaches and other people who may not have access to such equipment. (Based on my experience, the Phys. Ed. department in any school, receives one of the smallest budgets. Please let me know of your experience) 3) Other methods such as Somatotyping (Carter et al) can be used too. However, as mentioned above, Skinfold calipers and other measuring equipment are needed. These are not readily available as compared to height, weight, age & sex. Note that Pondex (as well as somatotyping) is not a prognosticator of performance because other structural or functional characteristics may be operative, as well as opportunities to practice a sport. Further testing may be required. However, think of this method as the first step towards the selection and identification of talented athletes. Further extensive testing of the athlete's physical, mental and emotional make-up is very much recommended. SPORTS COVERED: PONDEX covers sports which were in the Olympics as of 1976: ATHLETICS Men Women 100m 100m 200m 200m 400m 400m 800m 800m 1,500m 1,500m 5,000m 100m hurdles 10,000m High Jump Marathon Long Jump 20km Walk Shotput 110m Hurdles Discus throw 400m Hurdles Javelin throw Steeplechase Pentathlon High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shotput Discus throw Javelin throw Hammer throw Decathlon AQUATICS Men Women 100m freestyle 100m freestyle 200m free 200m free 400m free 400m free 1500 free 800m free 100m backstroke 100m backstroke 200m back 200m back 100m breaststroke 100m breaststroke 200m breast 200m breast 100m butterfly 100m butterfly 200m butterfly 200m butterfly 400m Indiv'l Medley 400m Indiv'l Medley Springboard Diving Springboard Diving Platform Diving Platform Diving Waterpolo ROWING Men Women Single Sculls Single Sculls Double Sculls Double Sculls 4 scull w/o cox 4 Scull w/ cox Sculls pair w/o cox Sculls pair w/o cox Sculls Pair w/ cox Sculls four w/ cox 4 People w/o cox Sculls 8 w/ cox 4 People w/ cox 500m Kayak-1 8 People w/ cox 500m Kayak-2 500m Kayak-1 500m Kayak-2 1,000 Kayak-1 1,000 Kayak-2 1,000 Kayak-4 500m Canoe-1 500m Canoe-2 1,000 Canoe-1 1,000 Canoe-2 YATCHING Men Soling Flying Dutchman Tempest Finn Tornado 470 BALLGAMES Men Women Basketball Basketball Volleyball Volleyball Handball Handball Football (Soccer) Field Hockey GYMNASTICS Men Women ARCHERY Men Women MODERN PENTATHLON Men EQUESTRIAN Men Women Cheveux Cheveux Horses Three Day Event Three Day Event Grand Prix Jumping SHOOTING Men Free Pistol Rifle Prone Rifle Three Rapid Fire Pistol Olympic Trap Skeet Running Game Target CYCLING Men 1,000m cycling Vitesse Individual 4,000 Pursuit Indiv. 4,000 Team Pursuit Road Race 100k Team WEIGHTLIFTING Men ***** Women ** 54kg. 46kg. 59kg. 50kg. 64kg. 54kg. 70kg. 59kg. 76kg. 64kg. 83kg. 70kg. 91kg. 76kg. 99kg. 83kg. 108kg. 83kg.+ 108kg.+ WRESTLING Men 48kg. 52kg. 57kg. 62kg. 68kg. 74kg. 82kg. 90kg. 100kg. over 100kg. JUDO Men 63kg. 70kg. 80kg. 93kg. over 93kg. open BOXING * Men 48kg. 51kg. 54kg. 57kg. 60kg. 63.5kg. 67kg. 71kg. 75kg. 81kg. over 81kg. WINTER SPORTS Men Women Alpine Skiing Alpine Skiing Ski Jumping Cross Country Combined Skiing Luge Tobogganing Cross Country Skiing Speed Skating Biathlon Figure Skating Luge Tobogganing Bobsleigh Speed Skating Figure Skating Ice Hockey POWERLIFTING *** Men Women 52 44 56 48 60 52 67.5 56 75 60 82.5 67.5 90 75 100 82.5 110 90 125 90+ 125+ BODYBUILDING **** Men 65 70 80 90 90+ * Boxing was missing data from Dr. Hirata's book. I tried my best to remedy the situation. ** There is no available data for women's weightlifting. I just made use of the existing bodyweight classes. Age was based on the men's division while height was not used as a criteria for selection. *** I was once coach of a team which went to Kaoshiung, Taipei for an Asian-level competition. Data was gathered there and used in determining the criteria. Only weight and ponderal index are used here for selection as age was not available and thus not used as a criteria. Remember the level for powerlifting used in this program is only ASIAN level. **** Men's bodybuilding is included here. The data was based from another researcher's work which was similar to Dr. Hirata's work. Unfortunately, I've forgotten the details of this study. ***** The original calculations for Men's weightlifting used the old (pre-1992) bodyweight categories. I used the same values for ponderal index and age. Note that the recommended performances have been updated. They are based on the results of the 1993 World Weightlifting championships. (Thanks to the IWF for furnishing me copies of the results.) Also women's weightlifting already has recommended performances. F.A.Q. (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) Q. What are the recommendations written after the sports? A. Sometimes, there are recommendations indicated after certain sports. (Time, Weight, Score etc.) Check with your local sports expert on how this is obtained. These recommendations were suggested by Dr. Hirata as it indicates a very good performance in the Olympics. Q. Why are the recommended performances so high? A. The recommendations are for OLYMPIC CLASS performances (except where noted). I share the belief of Dr. Hirata that we should concentrate on preparing athletes for Olympic-level competition. However, not everybody can be Olympians. But as Baron Pierre de Coubertin said, "The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Q. Why is my sport not included? A. This was based on Dr. Hirata's 1976 work on OLYMPIC athletes. Sports that were part of the Olympic program in 1976 were covered (as well as some selected sports.) If you have information on similar studies or other sports studies, please inform me as soon as possible. Q. How do you include a sport that you like yet PONDEX does not list it down? A. Simple! You may lose or gain weight as the case may be. Note that height and age are not readily changeable variables. Or you may be too old or too young for that sport (Note we can all become older, but getting younger is very difficult). To be sure, check the book of Dr. Hirata in the 'recommended' reading section. Always bear in mind, this is for Olympic (or world) class sports. If your sport/s was/were not listed yet is/are covered by PONDEX, it means you did not make the criteria as set by Dr. Hirata. Q. Okay, okay. Now I know what sport I'm suited to. Now what do I do? A. Simple. You can check the yellow pages for sports organizations which can help you out. Good luck with your training! I hope you become a successful athlete. Q. I have a suggestion/comment etc..... A. Not a problem! Email info below. SUGGESTED READING: Dr. Kin-Itsu Hirata, Selection of Olympic Champions, 1976 Talent Identification and Selection in Sport http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/ysi/Spotlight1997/talent.html NOTES: Note that the athletic world is constantly changing. The author tries his best to keep up with rule changes. e.g. not allowing athletes less than 14 years old to participate in Powerlifting competition. But sometimes this cannot be done due to lack of information. DEDICATION: I DEDICATE THIS WORK TO: My Mom & Dad+: Without them I wouldn't be here! All the athletes & coaches in the world: Without you as inspirations, mentors and students, I wouldn't think of writing this software. ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF PONDEX The Reader Chicago IL U.S.A. Email: reader at the-reader dot webhop dot net Bachelor in Physical Education Master of Education in Special Education, major in Psychomotor gifted, minor in Behavioral Problems