Introduction: The aim of the present study was to establish longitudinal anthropometric profile of two gymnasts from infantile category to senior category, and determining the effects of both growth and maturation as well as of high intensity training. Material and methods: We have carried out a retrospective longitudinal study of two caucasian males that competed at international level in artistic gymnastics. The protocol included 32 variables: weight, height, sitting height, arm span, nine breadths, eleven girths and eight skinfolds. The procedures followed the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry guidelines. Their general anthropometric characteristics, body composition (percentage of body fat according to the equation of Withers) and proportionality (z-score applying Ross and Wilson Phantom-strategy) of anthropometric variables were determined from nine medical check-ups from age 14 years to 22 years. Results: Adult height is not affected by training intensity, with the athletes remaining in their percentile growth curve throughout the study. The gains of body mass in the gymnasts were 22.9 and 15.7 kg, with increase in lean tissue mass in relation to height (kg/m2), between the first and the last control, of 28% and 19%, respectively. The evolution of the skinfold profile reflects a change in the subcutaneous fat patterning with loss in lower limbs and increase in subscapular zone of trunk. The great adaptation of the musculoskeletal structure occurred primarily in the upper body (shoulders, chest and arms) and was more pronounced up to ages 17 to 18, although each athlete differed somewhat in their own biological rhythms. Conclusions: At the end of the infantile category, the gymnast had the anthropometric profile which characterized the early gymnastic specialization and this continues to be accentuated up to the senior category.
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