Anthropometric features of limbs in volleyball players of different somatotypes

Abstract

The relevance of determining the anthropometric dimensions of the limbs, which determine the external structure of the human body and have close relationships with the technical and tactical activities of volleyball players, is that morphological characteristics can be the basis for qualified sports selection. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the value of anthropometric limb dimensions between volleyball players and girls who did not play sports within the general group and a separate constitutional type. A study was conducted of 108 volleyball players with an average sports experience of 6.361 ± 2.866 years of youthful age (mean age – 18.05 ± 1.39 years). 130 practically healthy girls who did not play sports, of adolescent age (mean age – 17.91 ± 1.49 years) made up the control group. Anthropometry was carried out with certified equipment according to the recommendations of P.P. Shaparenko, somatotyping – by the Carter-Heath method. After determining the constitutional affiliation, volleyball players and non-athletes were divided into four groups: ectomorphic, mesomorphic, ecto-mesomorphic and middle intermediate somatotypes. It was found that all the girth dimensions of the upper and lower extremities and the width of the distal epiphyses of the thigh, lower leg, shoulder, and forearm were significantly larger in female athletes than in girls of the control group. The somatotypological approach modified the nature of the previous results: in volleyball players of all somatotypes compared to girls of control groups of the corresponding type of constitution only the widths of epiphyses of the shoulder and forearm were statistically significantly larger; the width of the distal epiphysis of the lower leg was bigger only in sportswomen of the average intermediate somatotype, and the width of the distal epiphysis of the thigh was bigger in sportswomen of the ecto-mesomorphic and average intermediate types; most of the girth dimensions of the limbs were bigger only in sportswomen of the ectomorphic and average intermediate somatotypes. Thus, volleyball players of each constitutional type have their peculiarities of the structure of limbs, which should be taken into account when creating a morphometric profile of volleyball players and taken into account in sports orientation and prognostication