Dependence of young female volleyballers' performance on their body build, physical abilities, and psycho-physiological properties.

AIM: The aim of the study was to establish which anthropometric characteristics, physical abilities and psycho-physiological properties determine the success of adolescent female volleyballers at competitions. METHODS: For this purpose we studied 32 female volleyballers aged 13-16 years. The anthropometric examination included 43 measurements, 7 tests of physical fitness, and 4 series of computerised psycho-physiological tests (n=21). The performance of game elements was measured empirically during championship games using the original computer program "Game". RESULTS: The proficiency of performing volleyball elements - serve, reception, feint, block and spike - was calculated by regression models from the 14 anthropometric measurements, 4 physical fitness and 7 psychophysiological test results, which showed significant correlation with proficiency in the game. The predictive power of the models was at least 32% and in average 56%. The anthropometric factor was significant in the performance of all the elements of the game, being most essential (71-83%) for attack, block and feint. Good results in physical ability tests granted success in serve, attack and reception. CONCLUSION: It was possible to predict the efficiency of reception (44%) by endurance, flexibility and speed measuring tests. Medicine ball throwing test was essential for attack (22%). Psycho-physiological tests were significant for the performance of block (98%), attack (80%), feint (60%) and reception (39%).

[Features of body structure of Estonian young girls and boys]. / Osobennosti teloslozheniia u Estonskikh devushek i iunoshei.

Anthropometric investigation of 670 female students (aged 18-22), 1114 schoolgirls (aged 15-18) and 253 schoolboys (aged 17-18) has demonstrated that the body structure in these samples formed a distinctive system of significantly intercorrelated variables with the body mass and length being the major characteristics. By means of a mass-length (height-weight) classification it is possible to systematize all the single parameters, indices and body composition characteristics. Body mass and length are also assumed as a basis for the formation of extreme pure somatotypes--pycnic and leptosomatic females.

A possibility of systematisation of anthropometric data of girls aged 12-15.

The article describes an anthropometric cross-sectional study of 374 healthy schoolgirls aged 12-15 years from secondary schools of Tartu (Estonia). 29 body measurements and 9 skinfolds were measured. Mean skinfolds and 6 indices and ratios (including body mass index) were calculated. In each age group the data were systematized into 5 height-weight SD-classes according to the correspondence between body height and weight. The medium class lies between -0.5 SD and +0.5 SD of the respective age group mean (M +/- 0.5 SD); the other classes contain the respective outer values. All the subjects were assigned into one of the following five categories: three height/weight-concordant categories: I = small (small height-small weight), II = medium (medium height-medium weight), III = large (big height-big weight) and two height/weight-disconcordant categories: IV = so-called pyknomorphous, V = so-called leptomorphous. Categories IV and V thus contained three height/weight subclasses each. The body build categories differ significantly from each other within both groups (I-III and IV-V) in all age groups in all measured variables, except sternum length, abdomen length, trunk length, biacromial breadth, biiliocrystal breadth, femur breadth, ankle breadth, humerus breadth, wrist breadth, and head circumference for which no significant differences between pyknomorphous and leptomorphous categories were found. A multidimensional statistical model of body build might be used in girls going through puberty to systematize and compare morphological variables with other assessed characteristics in different applied studies, for example physiological, sociological, psychological, or nutritional.