ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS, ANTHROPOMETRY AND PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS IN THE YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CATEGORY

Introduction: The control of the occurrence of injuries throughout the training process and the monitoring of physical adaptations resulting from the exercise program present significant importance for the athlete. Objective: To describe the anthropometric profile and physical capacity of youth volleyball teams and determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Methods: A longitudinal study where 38 athletes participated in the Children and Youth Volleyball category monitored for four months through physical fitness and anthropometric tests and questionnaire of musculoskeletal symptoms. Descriptive analysis and comparative means and standard deviations and t test were applied. Results: The main statistically significant indicators observed were in the variables: height (p = 0.001 for males and 0.003 for females) scale for males (p <0.001), pitch (p = 0.003 for boys and p <0.001 for girls), abdominal for girls (p = 0.001). The most prevalent symptoms were found in the back (56.5%), shoulder (52.2%), hips/thighs (52.2%) and knees (52.2%). Conclusion: The profile of the athletes presented as main characteristics: increase in height, scale and explosive strength of upper limbs, abdominal strength and agility. The high frequency of affirmative responses to pain complaint on the back, upper and lower parts, shoulders, hips/thighs, knees and ankle reinforces the need for long-term monitoring of young athletes response to training and promotes prevention strategies.