Anthropometric Characteristics, Body Composition and Physical Performance of Female Cadet Volleyball Players

IntroductionCurrently, volleyball game seems to be in an intense transformation process. The game phases dynamics and the player preparation process is in a constant change. [1] These changes are primarily due to a more rigorous selection. The volleyball player profile has undergone substantial changes recently. In order to face the high demands of the game, the players should be well prepared not only technical and tactical but also physically. Volleyball player performance may be influenced by factors, such as anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness, reaction time and muscle strength. [2] To improve these factors, the trainers need information regarding the physical and functional abilities of athletes in order to establish proper training objectives. These objectives are designed to bring players closer to existing international standards for professional volleyball game. These standards are established from the analysis of the top team players profile in the world. [3]To our knowledge, for volleyball cadets (14-16 years), there is no comparative data between our region and international norms regarding body mass, explosive power and reaction time. Therefore, it is impossible to create a player profile in terms of these parameters.The aim of this paper was to standardise a female cadet volleyball player profile that includes anthropometric characteristics, body composition and physical performance parameters.Material & methodsWe tested twelve female junior volleyball players, who are members of an elite volleyball team from Romania. The girls (14 to 16 years old), underwent a body composition evaluation, visual reaction time test, a vertical jump height test and an explosive power test. For the body composition analysis the players were asked to have a 3 hour fasting period before evaluation. For motric abilities evaluation the players used their usual game outfit (volleyball sneakers and game clothing) and the testing sessions took place on a volleyball training court. The evaluation sequence was: Body composition evaluation, visual reaction test and jump tests (Drop jump, Squat jump on one leg). The body composition was analysed using a multi-frequency bioimpedance analyser (InBody 720, South Korea). We recorded total body water, total skeletal muscle mass, total body fat, percentage of body fat, segmental muscle and fat mass.All players performed a Squat Jump test (SJT) and a modified version of "Drop Jump" test (DJT) in order to measure explosive power and vertical jump height. For this evaluation we used Optojump Next system (Italy). For the SJT, subjects started inside the testing area, in a one leg position with hands on hips and knee bent at 90°. The test consists in a vertical jump and landing on both feet. We recorded the maximum, minimum and mean value of five consecutive jumps.The DJT starts with the subject outside the testing area. The subject performed a volleyball attack action with the last two steps of the take-off and the landing phase inside the testing area (between the Optojump rails). The visual reaction test (VRT) recorded the reaction time after receiving a visual stimulus. The subject starts in a slightly bent position of both knees and had to raise the foot from the floor (as quick as he can) after receiving the visual stimulus.ResultsData were analyzed using the statistical program GraphPad Prism 6 and the results are presented in the tables below as descriptive statistics. Anthropometric and body composition evaluation data are presented in detail in Table 1.The physical performance parameters (jump hight, explosive power and reaction time after a visual stimulus) obtained using the Optojump Next testing system are presented in Tabel 2.DiscussionFor the volleyball game, players' height is considered the most important physical parameter, representing a great advantage in competition. As presented in the Table 1, the average height of the team we studied was 176. …