Comparison of anthropometric profile and handgrip strength between inter-university volleyball players and a reference group

Abstract

SummaryStudy aim: In a volleyball game, multiple elements can influence competitive success, e.g. height, arm span and other anthropometric variables. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to find out whether any differences exist between Indian inter-university male and female volleyball players as well as between players and a reference group in terms of anthropometry and handgrip strength.Materials and methods: The present cross-sectional research was conducted on 114 randomly selected Indian inter-university male (n = 50) and female (n = 64) volleyball players aged 18–25 years. An equal number of reference group individuals who did not participate in any exercise or training programme were also taken. Height, body weight, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), hand length, hand breadth, second digit length, fourth digit length, second and fourth digit ratio (2D/4D ratio), upper arm length, forearm length, total arm length, upper arm circumference, hip circumference; humerus and femur biepicondylar diameters, handgrip strength (dominant/non-dominant), arm muscle area, arm area, arm fat area, arm fat index, % body fat, and % lean body mass were measured with equipment including an anthropometer, sliding caliper, handgrip dynamometer and skinfold caliper using standard techniques. The data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Student’s t-test was applied for the comparison of data between players and the reference group. Differences between the groups were analysed using the oneway ANOVA test. Bonferroni post hoc test was applied after application of the ANOVA test. Effect size was also calculated. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was indicated using a 5% level of probability.Results: Male volleyball players had higher mean values in height, body weight, hand length, hand breadth, second and fourth digit length, dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength, humerus and femur biepicondylar diameter, upper arm length, forearm length and total arm length, arm muscle area, arm area and percent lean body mass than the reference group. Similar findings were observed between female players and the reference group also. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05–0.001) were also observed between male and female players except BMI, 2D/4D ratio, and arm fat area. These findings were supported by the effect size (η) calculations.Conclusion: Volleyball players had better height, weight, hand and arm anthropometrics, handgrip strength and % lean body mass as compared to the reference group. Significant differences were found in anthropometry and handgrip strength between players and reference group individuals, suggesting that these findings could be very useful for player selection and talent identification in sports.

Population-specific equations of age-related maximum handgrip force: a comprehensive review

“…Among those studies, the highest number of publications was affiliated to the United States ( Bemben & Langdon, 2002 ; Blackwell, Kornatz & Heath, 1999 ; Dale et al, 2014 ; Dunn-Lewis et al, 2011 ; Forrest, Zmuda & Cauley, 2005 ; Forrest, Zmuda & Cauley, 2007 ; Garg et al, 2002 ; Hanten et al, 1999 ; Kallman, Plato & Tobin, 1990 ; Kaiser, 2000 ; Mathiowetz et al, 1985 ; Mehta & Cavuoto, 2015 ; Meyers, 2006 ; Nicolay & Walker, 2005 ; Sella, 2001 ; Stewart et al, 2009 ; Taaffe & Marcus, 2004 ; Wang et al, 2019 ; Weinstock-Zlotnick, Bear-Lehman & Yu, 2011 ) and Japan ( Abe, Thiebaud & Loenneke, 2016 ; Hioka et al, 2021 ; Kubota, Demura & Kawabata, 2012 ; Kwon et al, 2017 ; Murata et al, 2010 ; Osei-Hyiaman et al, 1999 ; Rantanen et al, 1998 ; Seino et al, 2014 ; Shimizu et al, 2021 ; Shimizu et al, 2018 ; Sugiura et al, 2013 ; Sun et al, 2010 ; Yamagata & Sako, 2020 ; Yoshimura et al, 2011 ). A lower number was attributed to Brazil ( Gallo et al, 2019 ; Heberle et al, 2021 ; Vilaça et al, 2014 ; Aguiar et al, 2018 ; de Branco et al, 2020 ; Dias et al, 2012 ; Lopes et al, 2018 ; Prata & Scheicher, 2015 ; Schettino et al, 2014 ; Silva et al, 2013 ), India ( Chatterjee & Chowdhuri, 1991 ; Choudhary et al, 2016 ; Gunasekaran et al, 2016 ; Kaur, 2009 ; Khanna & Koley, 2020 ; Koley & Kaur, 2011 ; Kulkarni et al, 2...…”

Body fat of competitive volleyball players: a systematic review with meta-analysis

“…(The average body weight and height ranged from 50 to 76 kg and from 160 to 189 cm, respectively.) Three studies involved both female and male players [ 22–24 ]. In total, there were 643 players categorized as “regional level” (220 male and 423 female), 1698 as “national level” (676 male and 1022 female) and 266 as “international” (80 male and 186 female), with five studies directly comparing two or more competitive levels [ 9 , 10 , 15–17 ].…”

Investigation of Differences Between Upper Extremity Flexibility, Strength, Endurance, Speed, Balance and Quality of Life in Adolescent Volleyball Players and Sedentaries

“…bu farklılığın voleybolcu grup lehine olduğunu ve fiziksel egzersiz ve düzenli voleybol antrenmanın el pençe kuvvetini artırdığını göstermiştir (33). Çalışmalarında adölesan voleybolcuların referans grubuna göre daha yüksek el kavrama gücüne sahip olduğunu gösteren Khanna ve Koley, erken dönemde başlanan ve düzenli şekilde yapılan antrenmanların kas hacmi, kas kuvveti, boy ve kilo kazanımıyla beraber daha iyi el pençe kuvveti ortaya çıkardığını ifade etmişlerdir (34). Literatür ile karşılaştırıldığında çalışmamıza El Pençe Kuvvet Testi sonuçlarına göre iki grup arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık bulunmamıştır.…”