Comparison of anthropometric profile and handgrip strength between inter-university volleyball players and a reference group

Body fat of competitive volleyball players: a systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Reference values of body fat for competitive volleyball players are lacking, making it difficult to interpret measurement results. This review systematically summarized published data on the relative body fat of volleyball players and calculated potential differences between sex, measurement method, and competitive level.

METHODS

The protocol followed the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The literature search was conducted using five electronic databases to retrieve all relevant publications from January 1, 2010, to July 1, 2021. The 63 studies including 2607 players that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed using random-effects models. Data were reported as pooled mean body fat with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Body fat for males and females was 12.8% (11.9-13.8%) and 22.8% (21.9-23.7%), respectively. Body fat was 18.3% (16.3-20.4%) measured via skinfolds, 18.4% (15.6-21.2%) via bioelectrical impedance analysis, 24.2% (20.4-28.0%) via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and 21.6% (17.4-25.8%) via densitometry. Regional, national, and international-level players had body fat values of 19.5% (17.8-21.2%), 20.3% (18.6-22.0%), and 17.9% (15.7-20.4%), respectively. When the meta-regression was adjusted for the variables sex, measurement method, and competitive level, a significant difference between sex (p < 0.001), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and skinfolds (p = 0.02), and national and international-level players (p = 0.02) was found. However, sensitivity analysis revealed that findings regarding measurement method and competitive level were not robust and should, therefore, be interpreted with caution.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limitations of published data, this meta-analysis provided pooled values for body fat of male and female volleyball players for different competitive levels and measurement methods.

Assessment of anthropometric and body composition characteristics of elite Turkish wrestlers

Study aim: The aim of the study was to determine the anthropometric characteristics of elite Turkish wrestlers according to their weight categories.

Material and methods: In this study, 21 elite male wrestlers (age 22.9 ± 4.0) have been examined according to three weight categories: Light weight, middle weight, heavy weight. Height, weight, arm and calf girth, humerus and femur width, skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, calf, supraspinale) were measured. Arm anthropometry (upper arm muscle area, upper arm fat area, upper arm fat index), somatotype (Heath-Carter somatotype method), and body composition (bio-impedance analysis) were determined.

Results: In the light weight wrestlers, body fat was 9.95% and somatotype 2.15–6.68–1.62; in the middle weight wrestlers, body fat was 11.79% and somatotype 2.83–6.83–1.01; in the heavy weight wrestlers, body fat was 18.63% and somatotype 4.10–8.13–0.53 was determined. While the endomorphy component of the light weight wrestlers was significantly lower than the middle weight and heavy weight wrestlers (p < 0.017), the ectomorphy component was significantly higher than the heavy weight wrestlers (p < 0.05). Fat free mass differed significantly between the three weight categories (p < 0.017), while body fat was higher in heavy weight than both light weight and middle weight (p < 0.017). The weight showed a significant and positive relationship with all anthropometric and body composition values except AFI and ectomorphy (p < 0.05 with mesomorphy, p < 0.01 with others).

Conclusions: As a result of the study, it was determined that wrestlers have anthropometric characteristics specific to their weight categories. While the light weight wrestlers show a balanced mesomorph structure, the heavy weight wrestlers have adapted to the endomorphic mesomorph body type with the increase in fat and fat free mass.