Current Issues
No.40
January 2004
 
    

Kinanthropometry in Nepal
Dr. Diwakar Lal Amatya, Nepal


The scientific specialisation area of sports anthropometry (Kinanthropometry) was vigorously developed during the 1970’s. This science is useful for sports, health, physical education, fitness business, physical anthropology and many other related fields, and is very popular in the western world. In this part of the world, Southern Asia, it is of particular interest in India, where it is taught in many colleges and Universities. In contrast to India, within Nepal there are Sociology and Anthropology departments in universities and colleges, that at present just deal with social, economical and ethnical aspects. Knowledge of Kinanthropometry, however, is flourishing and spreading in Nepal. Three years ago, when the new course for a Masters Degree program in Physical Education was launched, I was successful in introducing one unit of anthropometry. Back in 1992, at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala, India, when I was studying for a Master of Sports Coaching, I did my thesis on kinanthropometry. At that time, I studied 237 Nepalese Track & Field athletes in Kathmandu. This was the first study of its kind in Nepal. Since then, I have been engaged in a few studies in Kathmandu, concentrating on National and International teams. There are now data profiles of 36 sports, with male and female, national and international athletes. In 2001, with the help of the Australian Sports Commission and Prof. Kevin Norton of the University of South Australia, I completed the Anthropometry Level 3 course. This gave me the skills and desire to conduct the Level 1 course in Nepal. Considerable time and effort was spent in preparing lectures and translating the course into the Nepali language. With approval granted by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), the first anthropometry Level 1 course was launched in Lalitpur (Patan) and conducted at the Tri Padma High School from 13 to 23 May 2001. It is a matter of great privilege to acknowledge the support of Prof. Michael J. Marfell-Jones, ISAK President, Prof. Hans De Ridder, ISAK Secretary General, Prof. Kevin Norton of University of South Australia, Prof. Lindsay Carter,Past President of ISAK, Prof. Jan Borms of Brussels, and Dr. Tim Old of University of South Australia. I am also endebted to Prof. William D. Ross of Canada for providing the anthropometrical equipment from Ross Craft company. It was a great morale boost to be in this field of science for the development of kinanthropometry and other sports sciences in Nepal.
Modern games began being played in Nepal around 50 years ago. As the literacy of this nation was very low at that time, as it is now, the knowledge of sports coaching and teaching science can also be regarded as very low. Nepalese coaches and athletes are still working in the dark and expecting good results by depending on their faith. But Nepalese youth enjoy most of the modern games that are popular around the world. The most popular games include football (soccer), track and field athletics, martial arts, taekwondo, judo, cricket, volleyball, bodybuilding and basketball. Nearly 2 million youth and more than two thousand coaches and sports teachers are actively involved in various games in Nepal.
As mentioned above, the level of science knowledge in sports and other related fields is quite low. This made it difficult to make understood, the various scientific terms and words of kinanthropometry, but this is just the beginning and after a few years the situation will be different. I also believe I have the vitality to sustain the difficulties to come, especially as the feedback from participants has been amazing. Participants were excited and some of them are now requesting to start the Level 2 course. I am also extremely happy and lucky to have had three female participants in the course. It is very difficult to take measurements on females in Nepal, but by having trained female practitioners, this may become easier.
First Anthropometry Course in Lalitpur 13th to 23rd May 2001 Tri Padma High School

 

Here are some comments made by participants:
1. Shanta Bahadur Shrestha
Department Head – Physical Education, Mahendra Ratna Campus, Kathmandu
Students in our University and Campuses go through the theoretical lessons and practical sessions. Although anthropometry is not part of graduate program, it is there in the master degree. After joining the anthropometric Level 1 course, I came to realise that the University should take the initiative to introduce this kind of practical and appropriate approach to make the academic system more practically oriented in our University and which will make the students more competitive in their working field in future.
2. Bidya Prasad Marshani
Chief Coach-Boxing
This is the new sports science for Nepalese sports, which most of the coaches should learn and is useful in training, coaching and evaluation of the athletes’ progress. I am extremely happy to join this Anthropometry level 1 course. Thanks to Mr. Diwakar and ISAK for offering this course in Nepal. 3. H. Sadanand Singh University Degree Student, Nepal I’m very much excited that the knowledge I got in this course will be valuable in my future study. I’m planning to do master degree thesis in anthropometry. Let’s see how my Physical Education Department will respond next year. I must thank ISAK and Sir. Diwakar Lal Amatya for giving me this opportunity.
4. Miss Sushila Rai
University degree Student, Nepal
Government in Nepal is trying to make the degree program more practical. Although anthropometry in there in the syllabus, our department doesn’t have the equipment. I’m extremely happy to join the course because we went through theory as well as practical sessions in this course, which is worthy.

Second Anthropometry Course in Kathmandu 15 th to 23rd September 2003 Galaxy Public School

 

One issue in Nepal, that can impact on any sporting activity is Security. During the Second Anthropometry Course in Kathmandu, there was danger due to a three day general strike by the Maoist Revolutionary Party. In spite of the situation, and with the help and initiative of Madam Geeta Rana, Founding Principle of Galaxy Public School, this course could continue. It was also a great problem for the participants to join the classes, having to walking all the way from their home to the School. Certainly, from a security point of view, it was not safe to walk along the roads in Kathmandu and all credit goes to Galaxy Public School and its principal for the success of this course

Anthropometry in Assistance
Coaches Training Syllabus Most of the assistance coaches working in Nepal under the National Sports Council have no formal professional coaching training. They are in the positions due to their participation experiences and as international medalists. Now, the National Sports Council has launched a three month coaching course. There are more than 350 coaches involve in that training, which began in November 2003 and will conclude in January 2004. In that course, various sports sciences syllabus are included and there, with my initiation, is one unit on Kinanthropometry, covering an Introduction of Kinanthropometry- Somatotype, Body Composition and Kinanthropometry and Sports Performance. Dr Diwakar Lal Amatya MSC-Athletics & Sports Sciences President-National Association for Sports Health and Fitness Email: mlamatya@ntc.net.np


Dr Diwakar Lal Amatya
MSC-Athletics & Sports Sciences
President-National Association for Sports Health and Fitness
Email: mlamatya@ntc.net.np




http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2004.htm