Karla Đolo1,2, Dario Vrdoljak2, Mirjana Milić2, Zoran Grgantov2
1University of Mostar, Faculty of Science and Education, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
Intra-Positional and Inter-Positional Differences in Agility Tests among Youth Female Volleyball Players
Sport Mont 2023, 21(1), 17-22 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.230203
Abstract
ability to change the direction and speed of movement in response to a stimulus, which is one of the major prerequisites for a high level of performance. During a volleyball match, players are involved in different defensive and offensive activities in which agility plays an important role. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between less successful and more successful youth female volleyball players, as well as their inter-positional and intra-positional differences in agility. The study was conducted on a sample of 204 youth female volleyball players whose mean chronological age was 14.11±0.84 years. The players were divided into 5 subgroups according to their playing position (setters, opposite players, passer-hitters, middle blockers, and libero players). The variable sample used to assess agility consisted of 3 tests: Side steps, 9-3-6-3-9 test, and Step-hop test. Methods of data analysis included the determination of metric characteristics for all three agility tests. The analysis of covariance revealed a significant impact of biological age indicators on all agility tests. Furthermore, discriminant analysis of differences showed that more successful volleyball players achieved better results in all three agility tests. High reliability of the test was determined by Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (0.87-0.96). The results of this study showed a positive effect of agility tests in differentiating less successful and more successful players regardless of their position. More successful players achieved better results than less successful players in all tests. Greater biological maturity and training experience represent great competitive advantage in this age group. The obtained inter-positional and intra-positional differences and the influence of the biological age indicator on inter-positional and intra-positional differences in agility tests imply that higher biological maturity and training experience are great competitive advantages in this age group. The primary goal of training in younger age groups should not be the current success in the competition, but rather the preparation for achieving the best possible results in senior competition.
Keywords
team sport, discriminant analysis, skill, reactive agility, movement structure, biological age
View full article
(PDF – 106KB)
References
Bojikian, L.P. (2003). Seleção de futuros atletas de voleibol. In: Bojikian, J.C. Ensinando voleibol 2.ed. São Paulo: Phorte, 5, 61-66. [Selection of future volleyball athletes].
Gabbett, T., & Georgieff, B. (2007). Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of Australian junior national, state, and novice volleyball players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 21(3), 902-908.
Grgantov, Z., Milić, M., & Katić, R. (2013). Identification of Explosive Power Factors as Predictors of Player Quality in Young Female Volleyball Players. CollegiumAntropologicum, 37 (Suppl.2), 61-68.
Grgantov, Z., Milic, M., & Padulo, J. (2016). Metric characteristics of the step hop test in young female volleyball players [Metrijske karakteristike step hop testa kod mladih odbojkašica]. Sport Science 9(2), 82-87.
Günay, A.R., Ceylan, H.I., Çolakoğolu, F.F., &Saygın, Ö. (2019). Comparison of coinciding anticipation timing and reaction time performances of adolescent female volleyball players in different playing positions. The Sport Journal, 36, 1-12.
Katić, R., Grgantov, Z., & Jurko, D. (2006). Motor Structures in Female Volleyball Players Aged 14-17 According to Technique Quality and Performance. CollegiumAntropologicum, 30(1), 103-112.
Krolo, A., Gilic, B., Foretic, N., Pojskic, H., Hammami, R., Spasic, M., ... & Sekulic, D. (2020). Agility testing in youth football (soccer) players; evaluating reliability, validity, and correlates of newly developed testing protocols. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (1), 294.
Lima, R., Rico-González, M., Pereira, J., Caleiro, F., & Clemente, F. (2021). Reliability of a reactive agility test for youth volleyball players. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 28(1), 8-12.
Lloyd, R.S., Read, P., Oliver, J.L., Meyers, R.W., Nimphius, S., & Jeffreys, I. (2013). Considerations for the development of agility during childhood and adolescence. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 35(3), 2-11.
Malina, R.M., Cumming, S.P., Kontos, A.P., Eisenmann, J.C., Ribeiro, B., & Aroso, J. (2005). Maturity-Associated Variation in Sport-Specific Skills of Youth Soccer Players Aged 13–15 Years. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(5), 515-522.
Melrose, D.R., Spaniol, F.J., Bohling, M.E., & Bonnette, R.A. (2007). Physiological and performance characteristics of adolescent club volleyball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(2), 481.
Milić, M. (2014). Međupozicijske i unutarpozicijske razlike mladih odbojkašica u nekim antropološkim obilježjima (Doctoral dissertation, University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology).
Milić, M., Grgantov, Z., & Katić, R. (2012). Biomotor Status and Kinesiological Education of Girls Aged 10 to 12 Years–Example: Volleyball. CollegiumAntropologicum, 36(3), 959-966.
Milić, M., Grgantov, Z., & Katić, R. (2013). Impact of Biomotor Dimensions on Player Quality in Young Female Volleyball Players. CollegiumAntropologicum, 37(1), 93-99.
Milić, M., Grgantov, Z., Chamari, K., Ardigò, L. P., Bianco, A., & Padulo, J. (2017). Anthropometric and physical characteristics allow differentiation of young female volleyball players according to playing position and level of expertise. Biology of sport, 34(1), 19.
Nimphius, S., Callaghan, S.J., Bezodis, N.E., & Lockie, R.G. (2018). Change of direction and agility tests: Challenging our current measures of performance. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 40(1), 26-38.
Paz, G.A., Gabbett, T.J., Maia, M.F., Santana, H., Miranda, H., & Lima, V. (2016). Physical performance and positional differences among young female volleyball players. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57(10), 1282-1289.
Schaal, M., Ransdell, L.B., Simonson, S.R., & Gao, Y. (2013). Physiologic performance test differences in female volleyball athletes by competition level and player position. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27(7), 1841-1850.
Sekulic, D., Spasic, M., Mirkov, D., Cavar, M., & Sattler, T. (2013). Gender-specific influences of balance, speed, and power on agility performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27, 802–811.
Singh, S. (2016). Relationship between selected anthropometric variables and performance of volleyball players. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 3 (2), 22-24.
Stanganelli, L.C.R., Dourado, A.C., Oncken, P., Mançan, S., & Da Costa, S.C. (2008). Adaptations on Jump Capacity in Brazilian Volleyball Players Prior to the Under-19 World Championship. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 22, 741-749.
Stankovic, M., Ruiz Llamas, G., Peric, D., & Quiroga Escudero, M.E. (2019). Point-scoring plays related to level of set win and in-game role during volleyball rules testing. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 14 (1), 86-98.
Šimonek, J., Horička, P., & Hianik, J. (2016). Differences in pre-planned agility and reactive agility performance in sport games. Acta Gymnica, 46(2), 68-73.
Trajković, N., Milanović, Z., Sporiš, G., & Radisavljević, M. (2011). Positional differences in body composition and jumping performance among youth elite volleyball players. Acta Kinesiologica, 5 (1), 62-66.
Verhagen, E. A. L. M., Van der Beek, A. J., Bouter, L. M., Bahr, R. M., & Van Mechelen, W. (2004) A one season prospective cohort study of volleyball injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38 (4), 477-481.
Voight, H.F., & Vetter, K. (2003). The Value of Strength-Diagnostic for the Structure of Jump Training in Volleyball. European Journal of Sport Science, 3, 1-10.
Vujmilović, A. (2012). Relacije tjelesnih dimenzija i specifičnih motoričkih sposobnosti odbojkašica-kadetkinja u odnosu na igračku poziciju. Master’s thesis. Banja Luka: University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. [Relationship between body dimensions and specific motor skills of volleyball players-cadets in relation to playing position].