Association of anthropometric qualities with vertical jump performance in elite male volleyball players

The objective of this study was to examine the association between physical and anthropometric profiles and vertical jump performance in elite volleyball players.

Thirty-three elite male volleyball players (21±1 y, 76.9±5.2 kg, 186.5±5 cm) were studied. Several anthropometric measurements (body mass, stature, body mass index, lower limb length and sitting height) together with jumping height anaerobic power of counter movement jump with arm swing (CMJarm) were obtained from all subjects. Forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine if any of the anthropometric parameters were predictive of CMJarm.

Anaerobic power was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in the tallest players relative to their shorter counterparts. A significant relationship was observed between CMJarm and lower limb length (r2=0.69; P<0.001) and between the lower limb length and anaerobic power obtained with CMJarm (r2=0.57; P<0.01). While significantly correlated (P≤0.05) with CMJarm performance, stature, lower limb length/stature and sitting height/stature ratios were not significant (P>0.05) predictors of CMJarm performance.

This study demonstrates that lower limb length is correlated with CMJarm in elite male volleyball players. The players with longer lower limbs have the better vertical jump performances and their anaerobic power is higher. These results could be of importance for trained athletes in sports relying on jumping performance, such as basketball, handball or volleyball. Thus, the measurement of anthropometric characteristics, such as stature and lower limb length may assist coaches in the early phases of talent identification in volleyball.