Anthropometric and physical characteristics allow differentiation of young female volleyball players according to playing position and level of expertise

The aim of our study was to determine the differences in some anthropometric and physical performance variables of young Croatian female volleyball players (aged 13 to 15) in relation to playing position (i.e., independent variable) and performance level within each position (i.e., independent variable). Players were categorized according to playing position (i.e., role) as middle blockers (n=28), opposite hitters (n=41), passer-hitters (n=54), setters (n=30), and liberos (n=28). Within each position, players were divided into a more successful group and a less successful group according to team ranking in the latest regional championship and player quality within the team. Height and body mass, somatotype by the Heath-Carter method, and four tests of lower body power, speed, agility and upper body power (i.e., dependent variables) were assessed. Players in different positions differed significantly in height and all three somatotype components, but no significant differences were found in body mass, body mass index or measured physical performance variables. Players of different performance level differed significantly in both anthropometric and physical performance variables. Generally, middle blockers were taller, more ectomorphic, less mesomorphic and endomorphic, whereas liberos were shorter, less ectomorphic, more mesomorphic and endomorphic than players in other positions. More successful players in all positions had a lower body mass index, were less mesomorphic and endomorphic, and more ectomorphic than less successful players. Furthermore, more successful players showed better lower body power, speed, agility and upper body power. The results of this study can potentially provide coaches with useful indications about the use of somatotype selection and physical performance assessment for talent identification and development

Intra-positional and inter-positional differences in somatotype components and proportions of particular somatotype categories in youth volleyball players

Objective(s). Main aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse intra-positional, inter-positional differences in proportions of particular somatotype categories in youth volleyball players. Methods. Heath-Carter method was used to determine somatotype characteristics of 181 young female volleyball players (age 14.05\ub10.93, height 170.03\ub17.61 cm, mass 57.80\ub18.59 kg, body mass index 19.99\ub12.37 kg/m2, somatotype 4.33-2.79-3.73\ub11.02-1.02-1.25). Dependent variables were playing position, player efficacy. Only 7 somatotype categories (of possible 13) were obtained. Results. By analysing intra-positional differences, a significantly higher frequency of somatotype categories dominated by the ectomorph component was established in a subsample of more successful players, and a significantly higher frequency of somatotype categories dominated by the endomorph component was found in a subsample of less efficient players. The most frequent somatotype category in all player positions in a sample of more efficient volleyball players is the balanced ectomorph. The smallest number of somatotype categories (only three) was obtained in the subsample of more efficient middle hitters. It indirectly indicates that the most stringent requirements for selection according to the body build are for that position. Similar small inter-positional differences were obtained in both subsamples. Ectomorph somatotype component was most pronounced in young middle-hitters, and endomorph in liberos. Small inter-positional differences in both subsamples are probably consequences of previous selection processes within the clubs. Conclusion. Results obtained in this study provide a clearer insight into inter-positional, intra-positional differences in somatotype categories of young female volleyball players

Anthropometric and physical characteristics allow differentiation of young female volleyball players according to playing position and level of expertise

The aim of our study was to determine the differences in some anthropometric and physical performance variables of young Croatian female volleyball players (aged 13 to 15) in relation to playing position (i.e., independent variable) and performance level within each position (i.e., independent variable). Players were categorized according to playing position (i.e., role) as middle blockers (n=28), opposite hitters (n=41), passer-hitters (n=54), setters (n=30), and liberos (n=28). Within each position, players were divided into a more successful group and a less successful group according to team ranking in the latest regional championship and player quality within the team. Height and body mass, somatotype by the Heath-Carter method, and four tests of lower body power, speed, agility and upper body power (i.e., dependent variables) were assessed. Players in different positions differed significantly in height and all three somatotype components, but no significant differences were found in body mass, body mass index or measured physical performance variables. Players of different performance level differed significantly in both anthropometric and physical performance variables. Generally, middle blockers were taller, more ectomorphic, less mesomorphic and endomorphic, whereas liberos were shorter, less ectomorphic, more mesomorphic and endomorphic than players in other positions. More successful players in all positions had a lower body mass index, were less mesomorphic and endomorphic, and more ectomorphic than less successful players. Furthermore, more successful players showed better lower body power, speed, agility and upper body power. The results of this study can potentially provide coaches with useful indications about the use of somatotype selection and physical performance assessment for talent identification and development

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Abstract With the aim of determining age and positional differences in psychological coping skills, 180 youth and junior female volleyball players, whose mean age was 15.91+1.78, filled out the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (Smith, Schutz, Smoll & Ptacek, 199

Metric characteristics of the step hop test in young female volleyball players [Metrijske karakteristike step hop testa kod mladih odbojkašica]

The main goal of the study was to analyse the metric characteristics of a specific volleyball agility test (SHT: Step-hop test) on a sample of 204 youth Croatian female volleyball players whose mean chronological age was 14.11\ub10.84 years with a training experience of 42.14\ub116.76 months. High values of the Cronbach\u2019s alpha coefficient (0.93) and low values (0.97 \u2013 0.87 to include the values) of the coefficient of variation (0.004) confirmed good reliability of the step-hop test. Significant differences were found between the measured items by using the F-test,i.e.,there was a noticeable trend of result improvement over the three consecutive test performances. The obtained value of the KS test and the values of coefficients of distribution Skewness (Skew) and Kurtosis (Kurt) indicated good sensitivity of the step-hop test. It was determined by factor analysis (principal components analysis) and correlation analysis that the step-hop test had the same object of measurement as the two tests for assessing agility in volleyball (side steps and 9-3-6-3-9) with validated metric characteristics. Univariate analysis of variance showed no significant inter-positional differences in the SHT performance. By applying an independent samples t-test significant differences were found between more successful and less successful young volleyball players at passer-hitter position. Based on the obtained results,the SHT can be recommended in the process of identification and selection of young female volleyball players at passer-hitter position. To improve the homogeneity of the test,subjects should be allowed more trials and the test should be modified so that every change of movement direction is initiated by the foot opposite from that which was last put on the floor in the previous movement

The Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Performance in an Italian Elementary School: Insights From a Pilot Study Using Structural Equation Modeling

When compared to the previous generations, younger generations have become sedentary on a global level. Physical activity positively contributes to human growth and development, causing, indeed, both physiological and psychological benefits. The aim of the current study was examining the relationship between physical activity and school achievement in a sample of 80 Italian elementary (viz. primary) school last year responding children (11.0 \ub1 0.3 years, 1.46 \ub1 0.09 m, 39.5 \ub1 7.9 kg). Such an aim was fulfilled by investigating eventual correlations between physical tests results and school marks and by disclosing eventual mutual relationships between socio-demographics, family context, lifestyle (including physical activity), and school performance information using a structural modeling approach. Children were assessed for lower/upper limbs muscle strength and running/agility performance. Pearson's correlation between physical tests and school performance was studied. We found that agility correlated with English, Italian, mathematics, music, and sport marks, whereas jump correlated with English, mathematics, sport, and technologies marks. Sprint correlated with mathematics, sport, and technologies marks. All correlation coefficients were moderate, except for correlations between sport marks and physical tests (strong correlation). From the structural model, we found that socio-demographics and lifestyle significantly impacted on school achievement. In particular, lifestyle was found to fully moderate the impact of the family context on school achievement. Schools and households represent important settings for improving children physical and psychological-cognitive health and status, offering physical activities opportunities

Intra-positional and inter-positional differences in somatotype components and proportions of particular somatotype categories in youth volleyball players

Objective(s). Main aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse intra-positional, inter-positional differences in proportions of particular somatotype categories in youth volleyball players. Methods. Heath-Carter method was used to determine somatotype characteristics of 181 young female volleyball players (age 14.05 +/- 0.93, height 170.03 +/- 7.61 cm, mass 57.80 +/- 8.59 kg, body mass index 19.99 +/- 2.37 kg/m(2), somatotype 4.33-2.79-3.73 +/- 1.02-1.02-1.25). Dependent variables were playing position, player efficacy. Only 7 somatotype categories (of possible 13) were obtained. Results. By analysing intra-positional differences, a significantly higher frequency of somatotype categories dominated by the ectomorph component was established in a subsample of more successful players, and a significantly higher frequency of somatotype categories dominated by the endomorph component was found in a subsample of less efficient players. The most frequent somatotype category in all player positions in a sample of more efficient volleyball players is the balanced ectomorph. The smallest number of somatotype categories (only three) was obtained in the subsample of more efficient middle hitters. It indirectly indicates that the most stringent requirements for selection according to the body build are for that position. Similar small inter-positional differences were obtained in both subsamples. Ectomorph somatotype component was most pronounced in young middle-hitters, and endomorph in liberos. Small inter-positional differences in both subsamples are probably consequences of previous selection processes within the clubs. Conclusion. Results obtained in this study provide a clearer insight into inter-positional, intra-positional differences in somatotype categories of young female volleyball players