ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NOVICE AND TRAINED VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

• Published in: Hrvatski športskomedicinski vjesnik 2010-07, Vol.25 (1), p.23-27
• Main Authors: Marelic, N, Matkovic, B R, Antekolovic, L
• Format: Article
• Language: hrv ; eng
• ISSN: 0354-0766

Several studies investigated anthropological characteristics of senior volleyball players, while young players were studied rarely. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the anthropological profile of volleyball players aged 15 to 18 years with special attention to differences between novice players and those who were involved in volleyball training for three or more years. The sample consisted of 24 volleyball players from ASK Mladost, Zagreb, 12 of them novice and 12 who were training three or more years. The examinees underwent measurement of standard anthropometric variables (body mass and height, percent of fat), spirometry, spiroergometry, lower body muscular strength and arm strength, and heart volumetry. Standard statistical procedures were used to calculate descriptive statistical parameters and t-test was used to analyze differences between two groups. The average body measures of young volleyball players, as expected, greatly exceeded those reported for nonathletic population of the same age in Croatia. On the other hand, these measures were lower than in senior volleyball players in Croatia or in the world. Their functional abilities were on high level and similar to those of elite players. It can be concluded that the anthropological profile of novice and trained volleyball players of the same age is similar. But volleyball training after only three years made some differences and they were present in body mass, leg and body strength and heart volume.