Determining the Morphological Profile of Young Algerian Volleyball Players Aged Between 12 and 16 Years According to Their Playing Positions

Abstract

The objective of our study is to determine the morphological profile of young Algerian volleyball players. Our sample consists of 124 young people with an average age of 15.61 ± 0.49 years who have been practicing regularly for at least five years, three times a week, with a competition on the weekend. We conducted anthropometric measurements to determine morphological profiles for each playing position. Principal component analysis allowed us to select 20 parameters, considered the most representative of the morphological development of our young players, and enabled us to identify profiles for each playing position. We observed that, according to the somatotyping results, the average Algerian player is of the ecto-mesomorphic type. This profiling will help guide future talent identification and selection processes for national teams, using well-established, measurable, and quantifiable criteria.