A Study of Physical Performance and Characteristics of Adolescent Athletes at Distinctive Achievement Levels | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

There are very few studies concerning anthropometric characteristics and body composition of female athletes, especially the ones related to volleyball athletes. The purpose of this study is to compare anthropometric characteristics and physical performance of girl volleyball players who are adolescent girls aged around 14 years old, and participated in national championships with different success levels. The subjects of the study consisted of 60 volunteering girl volleyball players. Anthropometric measures were used for anthropometric and somatotype characteristics. Hand strength test, leg and back strength test, flexibility, knee-bend sit-up, vertical jump test, 20,-meter sprint test and bruce test for maximal oxygen consumption were used for measuring physical performance. As a result, the endomorphy values of the 2nd group’s players were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the 1st group’s volleyball players. The new regression formula developed from this study is as follows: % fat=0.126(thight skf.) + 0.626(triceps skf.) – 0.637(biceps skf.) + 0.955(BMI) – 13.144 (R=0.836 and SEE=1.33%). Successful girl volleyball players had a dominant somatotype profile, ectomorph structure, and lower ratio of body fat.