Physical and physiological characteristics of elite women volleyball players

The purpose of this study was to compare various physical and performance characteristics of two elite groups of athletes, the 1980 U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team and the collegiate players who composed the 1979 U.S. Women's University Games Volleyball Team. The characteristics compared were age, height, weight, body composition determined via hydrostatic weighing, vertical jumping distance, vertical jumping height, maximal oxygen consumption, heart rate max and respiratory exchange ratio. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) in age (23 +/- 2.6 yr. and 21.5 +/- 0.7 yr.), percent of body fat (11.7 +/- 3.7% and 18.3 +/- 3.4%), and vertical jumping distance (52.4 +/- 4.5 cm and 45.5 +/- 6.4 cm), between the two teams were demonstrated, with the National Team being significantly older, having a lower percentage of body fat and possessing a larger vertical jumping distance. These results indicate trainers of elite (national and international caliber) women volleyball players should consider including techniques to reduce percentage of body fat and increase vertical jumping distance.