Posture of adolescent volleyball players - a two-year study

Study aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the posture of male and female adolescent volleyball players and non-training individuals over a 2-year period. Material and methods: The study group comprised 32 volleyball players and 30 non-athlete peers. Posture was assessed with a photogrammetric method based on the moire phenomenon. Participants were examined 3 times at the ages of 14, 15 and 16 years. Training experience of the studied volleyball players at the time of the 1st measurement was less than 5 months. Results: In volleyball players greater asymmetry in the pelvis position was noted (rotation to the right). The right scapula was more outlying than the left, and the right shoulder was more elevated than the left. Volleyball training did not result in sagittal spinal curvatures. Male non-athlete participants exhibited a significant increase in thoracic kyphosis and a decrease in lumbar lordosis over a two-year period. Conclusion: Volleyball training affects the alignment of the pelvis, shoulder girdle and scapulae. The study revealed a number of differences in spinal curvatures between male volleyball players and non-athletes which could be associated with growth velocity and differences in body height.