The somatotype of "amateur" Italian female volleyball-players.

Abstract

In order to collect data on the physique of "amateur" female volleyball players, 50 athletes (VP) were measured according to the Health/Carter anthropometric somatotype method. They were divided into two subgroups: juniors (JVP < 18 years old) and seniors (SVP > 18). Their somatotype scores were respectively: 4.9-3.8-2.6 and 4.7-3.9-2.3. No significant differences emerged for any of the components of the somatotype between the two subgroups. JVP and SVP resulted as being taller and stouter than the mean of the Italian girls of the same age, but their menstrual function parameters (such as: age at onset of menarche, cycle and flux lengths) did not differ. Centres were much taller and heavier than other players. For the whole VP sample, the values of anthropometric measures and somatotype scores resulted as being congruent with those ascertained for other cohorts of amateur VP found in relevant literature.