Investigation of physical, physiological and neuromuscular performance parameters of elite sailing athletes

BACKGROUND: Elite sailing performance depends on the interaction of anthropometric features, strength–power capacities, postural control, and physiological fitness. However, sex-specific neuromuscular and physiological profiles in competitive sailing remain insufficiently characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to examine sex-related differences in the physical, physiological, and neuromuscular attributes of elite sailors using an integrated laboratory-based test battery. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 26 national- and international-level sailing athletes (14 men, 12 women). Participants completed standardized assessments of anthropometry and body composition, isometric strength, static and dynamic balance, bimanual visual reaction time, anaerobic power (30-s upper- and lower-limb Wingate tests), and maximal aerobic capacity (treadmill VO₂max, Bruce protocol). Sex differences were analyzed using multivariate general linear models (MANOVA/MANCOVA), with fat-free mass (FFM) included as a covariate. Pearson correlations were calculated separately for men and women. RESULTS: A significant multivariate effect of sex was observed. Male athletes demonstrated higher VO₂max, greater lower-limb peak power, stronger handgrip and trunk extension strength, and greater sitting height and arm length (p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.18–0.81). No significant sex differences were found for Wingate fatigue indices, upper-limb peak power, reaction time, or static/dynamic balance measures. After adjustment for FFM, sex differences in handgrip and trunk strength remained significant, whereas the difference in lower-limb peak power became borderline, indicating that muscle mass partly, but not fully, explained the performance gap. Correlation analyses further suggested sex-specific relationships between body composition and performance variables. CONCLUSIONS: Elite sailing performance appears to reflect the combined contribution of anthropometric characteristics, body composition, strength–power output, and postural control rather than a single dominant factor. These findings support the importance of sex-specific profiling and may help inform individualized, role- and class-specific training strategies in competitive sailing.