Anthropometric and fitness profile of high-level basketball, handball and volleyball players

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare several anthropometric and physiological variables between high-level basketball, handball and volleyball players.MethodForty-six Spanish first division professional players took part in our study. Height, standing reach, body weight, body fat percentages (by using Jackson & Pollock equation), vertical jumps (assessed by Bosco tests), 4m×5m agility test and maximal power output in a bench press exercise were assessed.ResultsA one-way ANOVA, showed that basketball players had significant higher average height and standing reach values (p<0.01) while volleyball players displayed the lowest body mass and handball players presented the highest body mass values. Body fat percentage was significantly lower (p<0.05) in basketball and volleyball. Jump levels were significantly better in volleyball for the countermovement (p<0.05) and the countermovement jump with arm swing (p<0.001). Results of the agility test were significantly better in basketball (p≤0.01). In the concentric actions of maximal power tests basketball players obtained a higher mean power output for all loads (p<0.05). In the eccentric phase volleyball players presented the lower outcome (p