Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players. Method: Twenty five national level volleyball players (mean (SD) age 17.5 (0.5) years) were assessed on a number of physiological and anthropometric variables. Somatotype was assessed using the Heath-Carter method, body composition (% body fat, % muscle mass) was assessed using surface anthropometry, leg strength was assessed using a leg and back dynamometer, low back and hamstring flexibility was assessed using the sit and reach test, and the vertical jump was used as a measure of lower body power. Maximal oxygen uptake was predicted using the 20 m multistage fitness test. Results: Setters were more ectomorphic (p,0.05) and less mesomorphic (p,0.01) than centres. Mean (SD) of somatotype (endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy) for setters and centres was 2.6 (0.9), 1.9 (1.1), 5.3 (1.2) and 2.2 (0.8), 3.9 (1.1), 3.6 (0.7) respectively. Hitters had significantly greater low back and hamstring flexibility than opposites. Mean (SD) for sit and reach was 19.3 (8.3) cm for opposites and 37 (10.7) cm for hitters. There were no other significant differences in physiological and anthropometric variables across playing positions (all p.0.05). Conclusion: Setters tend to be endomorphic ectomorphs, hitters and opposites tend to be balanced ectomorphs, whereas centres tend to be ectomorphic mesomorphs. These results indicate the need for sports scientists and conditioning professionals to take the body type of volleyball players into account when designing individualised position specific training programmes.

Anthropometric and psychophysiological characteristics of top female volleyballers in relation to the players’ position on the court

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Perfil dermatoglífico e qualidades físicas básicas de jovens atletas de voleibol

“…Em um estudo realizado no Reino Unido com jovens atletas de Voleibol com média de idade de 17,5 + 0,5 dp anos, foram pesquisadas algumas variáveis intervenientes na performance deste esporte comparando os resultados entre os atletas que jogam em diferentes posições (DUNCAN et al, 2006). As …”

Anthropometric characteristics of Indian volleyball players in relation to their performance level

“…In other words, successful participation in volleyball games, next to the high level of technical and tactical skills, also requires from each player's suitable anthropometric characteristics. Anthropometric characteristics are almost exclusively genetically determined therefore length and breadth measurements cannot be changed with training (11).Therefore, many previous studies have evaluated anthropometric profile of volleyball player (1,2,3,6,7,8,12,15). Moreover, to our knowledge, there were no study has compared the anthropometric characteristics of Indian volleyball players at inter-university and inter-college performance level.…”