Physical Characteristics and Physiological Attributes of Female Volleyball Players—The Need for Individual Data

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to profile physical characteristics and physiological attributes of adolescent and adult Greek female volleyball players (n = 61) who were members of the A (the best league for female volleyball players) and B (the second-best league for female volleyball players) Series clubs in Greece and (b) to examine the intraindividual variability among these players in all physical and physiological measurements that were undertaken in the study. The participants were divided into 3 age groups--under 14, 14-18, and over 18 years. They underwent a series of physical (e.g., height, body mass, and percentage of body fat) and physiological (e.g., aerobic profile, flexibility, and vertical jumping ability) tests. Three main findings emerged from the data analysis: (a) differences in physical characteristics and physiological attributes existed between the 3 age groups. For example, fat-free mass was lower in players under the age of 14 years (41.57 ± 6.06 kg) compared with that in players between the ages of 14-18 years (50.24 ± 6.96 kg) and players over the age of 18 years (52.03 ± 3.39 kg). In addition, the relative peak power as measured in the Wingate Anaerobic Test was the highest in the over-18 group (9.72 ± 0.65 W·kg), lower in the 14-18 group (8.95 ± 0.7), and the lowest in the under-14 group (8.32 ± 0.78 W·kg), (b) large intraindividual variability existed in most physical characteristics and physiological attributes measured in the study, and (c) the intraindividual variability was observed in all the 3 groups. These findings emphasize the need for coaches to examine the intraindividual variability within the players on their teams and to use this information when designing training programs and strength and conditioning programs.

Estimating maximal heart rate with the ‘220-age’ formula in adolescent female volleyball players: a preliminary study

“…spiking and blocking), volleyball players need to possess adequate cardiorespiratory power in order to cope with fatigue during match-play and training. This is supported by relevant research which has revealed high levels of cardiorespiratory power in adolescent and adult volleyball players [21,22,24] and by the findings of the present study. Therefore, achieving or maintaining an adequate level of cardiorespiratory power should be a concern of those involved in the training process.…”

“…The participants in the present study had analogous anthropometric characteristics and body composition with other samples of Greek volleyball players [21,22]. Compared with 15.2-year-old volleyball players [22], the participants weighed less and were shorter, and had lower bMI and bF.…”

“…Compared with 15.2-year-old volleyball players [22], the participants weighed less and were shorter, and had lower bMI and bF. However, compared with 12.5-yearold volleyball players [21], they weighed less and were taller, and also had lower bMI and bF. The mean time in the shuttle run test (4 min 51 s) corresponded to a maximal running speed 10.5 km · h -1 .…”

Physical and physiological attributes of soccer goalkeepers - Should we rely only on means and standard deviations?

“…For example, in a recent study on female volleyball players (Nikolaidis et al, 2012), it was observed that large individual variability existed in most of the physical characteristics (e.g., body mass and height) and physiological attributes (e.g., aerobic capacity and anaerobic power) measured among the players, as well as that the intra-individual variability was observed in all age groups classified in this study (under 14, 14-18, and over 18 years of age). Intra-individual variability was also discussed in studies on elite pistol shooting performers (Ball et al, 2003) and elite golfers (Hassmen et al, 2004).…”

Specific warm-up exercise is the best for vertical countermovement jump in young volleyball players

“…Vertical countermovement jumps (VCMJs) are considered essential to success in volleyball, as they are used in both defensive (blocking) and offensive (attacking, passing, and serving) motions 1,2 VCMJs are performed frequently by volleyball players during training and competitions, and several studies have focused on how athletes can enable themselves to jump most effectively 3,4 Volleyball players must jump frequently in matches, making good jumping technique crucial. An analysis of two matches showed that the average player executed about 45 jumps and subsequent landings, and that the players' overall performance depended heavily on these actions 5 .…”