Sex-based influence of morphological and physical attributes on serve performance in adolescent volleyball players

This study examined sex differences in anthropometric and physical attributes, and their relationships with volleyball serve accuracy and speed among adolescent volleyball players. Fifty athletes (age: 13.1 ± 0.4 years; peak height velocity: -2.2 ± 0.3 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Anthropometric attributes, physical performances, and technical performance (i.e., serve accuracy and speed) were measured. The result showed that boys were taller, leaner, and had greater leg length than girls (all p < 0.001). Boys also outperformed girls in change of direction (p < 0.01), vertical jump (p < 0.0001), upper limb strength (p < 0.005), balance, and serve speed (both p < 0.0001). Height, arm length, lower limb length, and hand length were positively correlated with serve accuracy and speed for both boys and girls (range: r = 0.497 to 0.789; all p < 0.05). Serve accuracy and speed were associated with all physical performance measures (range: r = 0.402 to 0.908; all p < 0.05), except 10-meter sprint time, which was only significantly correlated with serve speed in girls (r =  - 0.403; p < 0.05). The main anthropometric factor influencing serve accuracy was height in boys (R ² = 0.901; p < 0.0001) and hand length in girls (R ² = 0.650; p < 0.0001); the opposite was true for serve speed. For physical performance, change of direction, flexibility, and balance were the main factors influencing accuracy in boys (R ² = 0.717; p < 0.0001) and girls (R ² = 0.820; p < 0.0001). Serve speed was influenced by hand grip force, upper limb strength, and balance in boys (R ² = 0.770; p < 0.0001), while hand grip force was the main factor in girls (R ² = 0.722; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, body span and physical abilities, such as balance, flexibility, and strength are essential for volleyball serve accuracy and speed in adolescent players.