Supervisors info:
Τσολάκης Χαρίλαος, Καθηγητής, Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής & Αθλητισμού, ΕΚΠΑ
Κουλουβάρης Παναγιώτης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Παπαγιάννης Γεώργιος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Φυσικοθεραπείας, Πανεπιστήμιο Πελοποννήσου
Summary:
The aim of this research was to analyze the relationship of growth and maturation parameters, as expressed through relative and biological age, with anthropometric characteristics and performance variables of strength and power. Twenty-four male volleyball players of the Greek national youth team (mean age 15.1 ± 0.4 years) underwent anthropometric and physical performance assessments. The athletes were categorized by their relative age (A group, 1st quarter of the year - B group, intermediate semester- C group, 4th quarter of year) and biological maturation (early or average). Statistically significant differences were found in anthropometric measurements: height (p = 0.002, effect size η2 = 0,342), sitting height (p < 0.001, effect size η2 =0,399), arm span (p < 0.001, effect size η2 = 0,382), leg length (p = 0.023, effect size η2 = 0,211), body mass (p = 0.006, effect size η2 = 0,293), and muscle mass (p = 0.002, effect size η2 = 0,351), with early maturers showing higher values. Regarding physical performance, the relative age C group showed statistically significant higher Reactive Strength Index values (RSI) (p = 0.026, effect size η2 = 0.313) compared to the other groups and the relative age A group showed statistically significant higher RSI values compared to the relative age B group. Also, A and C relative age groups showed statistically significant lower ground contact time (CT) (p = 0.037, effect size η2 = 0.269), compared to B group. However, handgrip isometric strength (p = 0.566, effect size η2 = 0.048) and jump height (p = 0.916, effect size η2 = 0,108) did not differ statistically significant between groups, indicating that relative age may have less impact on these particular performance variables. The results indicate that biological maturation has a substantial impact on anthropometric characteristics, such as height, sitting height, arm span, leg length, body mass, and muscle mass. Respectively, relative age influences specific performance variables like ground Contact Time and the Reactive Strength Index. These findings underscore the importance of considering both biological and relative age in the talent identification and development processes for young athletes.
Keywords:
Relative age, Biological maturation, Anthropometric characteristics, Young volleyball players, Isometric handgrip strength and muscle power.
