Relationship between selected anthropometric variables and push-up performances in volleyball athletes. A correlation study

To compete with high skills, volleyball athletes must possess strong physical attributes. Push-up performance is one such attribute, characterized by increased strength in the pectoral muscles, shoulders, triceps, and core, all essential for explosive movements and maintaining stability during the game. A strong upper body contributes to better performance in volleyball-specific movements like spiking and serving while improving overall agility and power. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between selected anthropometric variables and push-up performance in volleyball athletes. Forty male volleyball athletes aged between 18 and 27 years were included. Data were collected for selected anthropometric variables, including height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body fat percentage (using four skinfold sites: biceps, triceps, subscapularis, supra-iliac), as well as push-up performance. To find the correlation between the variables, the Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive correlation of age to push-up performance (r = 0.131) and training age to push-up performance (r = 0.516), and a negative correlation for height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body fat percentage. It was concluded from the results that age and training age were positively correlated with push-up performance, whereas the anthropometric variables were inversely associated with push-up performance in volleyball athletes.