A study of anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and body composition of adolescent Iranian female volleyball players

Physical fitness and physical structure has an important role in the success of athletes. To have knowledge of body characteristics and to know the physiological aspects of the body is important in every sport and for every athlete. This study was conducted to explore the anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and body composition of adolescent Iranian girls’ volleyball players and provide a model using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). 172 female volleyball players from many provinces of the country participated in the study with the age range of (15.33 ± 1.5) years.The body composition factors which were measured were weight, body mass index, fat, WHR, fat-free mass and anthropometric parameters: height, arm length and leg length. Physiological variables and physical fitness including power (vertical jump), agility, flexibility, shoulder rotation, grip strength, sit-up and aerobic capacity were also measured. Pearson correlation coefficient, Descriptive Statistics and mathematical methods (DEA) was used for data analysis (P≤0/05). Data showed that there were significant differences between jumping leg length, body fat percentage, body mass index and fat percentage and flexibility. Compared to some previous studies, the participants had more strength and shoulder rotation and had lower aerobic capacity, Sit-up, power (vertical jump), height, weight and body fat percentage.According to the DE results, 84% of the participants were diagnosed as efficient. The results of this study could be a suitable model for talent identification and selection of volleyball players.