An Investigation of Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics of Junior Volleyball Players for Talent Identification Based on Playing Positions

The aim of this study was to investigate anthropometric and physiological characteristics in junior volleyball players for talent identification according to their volleyball playing positions. 15 junior national volleyball players (mean age 17.7±0.3 years) participated in this study. Players were classified to five groups according to their playing positions: setters, liberoes, middle blockers, receiver attackers and opposite hitter. Then their physiological variables, anthropometric factors and somatotype characteristics were calculated. Results showed significant differences in the anthropometric profile of the players especially in height, weight, length of lower extremity, arm span, arm length, upper arm length, hand span, width shoulder, skeletal muscle mass, WHR and somatotype among different volleyball positions (P<0.05). Liberoes were thinner and shorter than other players (P<0.05). Opposite hitters and receiver attackers were more mesomorph than other players while middle blockers were more ectomorph (P<0.05). Receiver attackers had better vertical jump performance than other groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in other physiological and anthropometric variables among playing positions. These results suggested that more anthropometric differences exist among volleyball players in different positions and player's anthropometric characteristics, somatotype and explosive power should be taken into account during talent selection and talent identification.