Volleyball is an all-round team-sport and it has been widely accepting as a highly competitive and recreational game throughout the world. Since its inception in 1995, it has not only developed from a slow moving game into a fast one, but has also become a game of high interest and joy to players and spectators alike. Volleyball, when promoted under sound leadership, brings out and sharpens the qualities of honesty, fair play and sportsmanship in those who participate in it. Volleyball has an added advantage in being suitable for both sexes, regardless of age and physical ability, as it is highly adaptable. Anthropometry has a rich tradition in sports sciences and sports medicine.
Anthropometry studies the relationship of form and functions, the interactions of anatomy, growth and performance (Stini,1995). Anthropometric size and morphological characteristics play an important role in determining the success of an athlete (Rico-Sanz, 1998; Wilmore & Costill, 1999; Keogh, 1999). Success in sports has associated with specific anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype (Carter & Heath, 1990; Duquet & Carter, 2001). Hence, for volleyball coaches, managers, sports physiotherapists, and scientists, deeply understanding of the determinants of achievement, such as the specific anthropometric characteristics of players may be vital.
Numerous studies have examined the associations between anthropometric characteristics of volleyball players (Gladden & Colacino, 1978; Morrow, Jackson, Hosler, & Kachurik, 1979; Kovaleski, Parr, Hornak, & Roitman, 1980; Spence, Disch, Fred, & Coleman, 1980; Fleck, Case, Puhl, & Van-Handle, 1985; Fry et al., 1991). In spite of the accessibility of the literature correlated to anthropometric parameters in volleyball players, standard data on such parameters are insufficient in the worldwide context. To complete the gap of literature, the current study was designed.
