Body Composition, Somatotype, and Phantom Strategy (Z-Score) in Elite Combat Sports Athletes: A Comparative and Correlational Study

Background: Body composition (BC) and anthropometric characteristics are critical for optimizing performance in combat sports, yet comparative analyses across Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Taekwondo remain limited. This study aimed to analyze BC, anthropometric measures, and Phantom z-score in elite male athletes to identify sport-specific differences and their relationship with performance. Methods: Sixty-eight elite male athletes (Jiu-Jitsu: n=19; Muay Thai: n=15; Wrestling: n=19; Taekwondo: n=17) from Brazil and Colombia were assessed using International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocols. Anthropometric measurements (skinfolds, circumferences, bone diameters) were used to evaluate BC and somatotype via the Heath-Carter method, with z-scores calculated using the Phantom strategy. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Tukey post hoc tests, and Pearson correlations (p