Abstract
Background: Differences in kinanthropometric and physical fitness performance between boys and girls usually start during adolescence, as a result of the changes in the hormonal environment that occur with the advance of age and biological maturation; Methods: A total of 96 1st Regional Division players adolescent volleyball players, 48 males, (age = 14.17 ± 1.00 years-old) and 48 females (age = 14.41 ± 1.21 years-old) underwent a kinanthropometric assessment, were asked to perform different physical fitness test and to complete a questionnaire. Chronological age, maturity offset, age at peak height velocity (APHV), and birth quartile were calculated; Results: Statistical differences were observed between male and female players in the APHV (p < 0.001). Male players showed higher values in the bone and muscle-related variables (p < 0.001–0.040), as well as in the strength and power production-related physical tests (p < 0.001–0.012), while the female showed higher values in the fat-related variables (p = 0.003–0.013), and performed better in the flexibility tests. Age, maturity offset, and birth quartile showed to have statistical influence in the differences found between sex groups; Conclusions: There is a clear influence of age and biological maturation on the differences found between sexes in adolescent volleyball players that could be taken into account regarding grouping in early stages.
Highlights
Volleyball is a highly demanding sport due to the rules of the game, characterized by constant explosive actions [1,2], which means that both physical condition and kinanthropometric variables are of great importance in performance [3]
Analysis of interactions between sex and birth quartile showed a significant influence of birth quartile on all kinanthropometric variables (p < 0.001–0.015), except for biiliocrestal breadth, mesomorphy, fat mass, and body mass index (BMI)
The interaction between variables showed that the three covariables had significant influence in the differences observed between groups in long jump, medicine ball throw, countermovement jump (CMJ) height and power (p < 0.001–0.026), and in sprint and agility tests in the case of birth quartile (p < 0.001–0.009) (Table 2)
Summary
Volleyball is a highly demanding sport due to the rules of the game, characterized by constant explosive actions [1,2], which means that both physical condition and kinanthropometric variables are of great importance in performance [3] This is why sport sciences have tried to characterize the morphological and physical requirements of elite athletes and their relationship with sporting performance [4]. Previous studies on adolescent volleyball players have found that height, arm span, and upper and lower body power are key factors for performance in both boys and girls [5,6] This characterization of the requirements of athletes during puberty must be undertaken with caution due to the effect that biological maturation has been shown to have on kinanthropometric and physical fitness variables [7,8]. There are studies that show that as the maturation process continues, these characteristics could become equalized, which could mean that early recruitment is not a guarantee of future sporting success, since it is not until approximately 14 years of age that successful players show differences with respect to their peers in physical abilities [7,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
