Who jumps the highest? Anthropometric and physiological correlations of vertical jump in youth elite female volleyball players

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship of vertical jump (Abalakov jump [AJ]) with anthropometric and physiological parameters in youth elite female volleyball players. METHODS: Seventy-two selected volleyball players from the region of Athens (age 13.3 +/- 0.7 years, body mass 62.0 +/- 7.2 kg, height 171.5 +/- 5.7 cm, body fat 21.2 +/- 4.5%), classified into quartiles according to AJ performance (group A, 21.4-26.5 cm; group B, 26.8-29.9 cm; group C, 30.5-33.7 cm; group D, 33.8-45.9 cm), performed a series of physical fitness tests. RESULTS: AJ was correlated with anthropometric (age at peak height velocity [APHV]: r=0.38, P<0.001; body mass: r=-0.43, P<0.001; Body Mass Index [BMI]: r=-0.37, P<0.001; body fat percentage [BF]: r=-0.64, P<0.001) and physiological parameters (isometric strength: r=0.50, P<0.001; squat jump [SJ]: r=0.92, P<0.001; countermovement jump [CMJ]: r=0.95, P<0.001, Bosco Test: r=0.70, P<0.001; mean power [P-mean]: r=0.61, P<0.001; Fatigue Index: r=-0.33, P=0.005) in the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). A one-way analysis of variance showed significant differences in APHV, chronological age, body mass, BMI, BF, aerobic capacity (step test and physical working capacity at heart rate 170 bpm), P-mean in the WAnT, isometric strength, SJ, CMJ and 30-s Bosco Test (P<0.05). A Bonferroni post-hoc analysis revealed that group D had older APHV and lower BMI, better aerobic capacity, isometric strength, SJ, CMJ, performance in the Bosco Test, and P-mean in the WAnT, was older and lighter than groups A, B, and C (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both the findings of the comparison among groups differing for AJ and the correlation analysis highlighted the negative role of excess body mass and fat, and the positive role of muscle strength and power on AJ. Also, there was indication that volleyball players that jumped the highest were those who matured later than others.