title: Sex differences in discriminative power of volleyball game-related statistics.
abstract: To identify sex differences in volleyball game-related statistics, the game-related statistics of several World Championships in 2007 (N=132) were analyzed using the software VIS from the International Volleyball Federation. Discriminant analysis was used to identify the game-related statistics which better discriminated performances by sex. Analysis yielded an emphasis on fault serves (SC = -.40), shot spikes (SC = .40), and reception digs (SC = .31). Specific robust numbers represent that considerable variability was evident in the game-related statistics profile, as men's volleyball games were better associated with terminal actions (errors of service), and women's volleyball games were characterized by continuous actions (in defense and attack). These differences may be related to the anthropometric and physiological differences between women and men and their influence on performance profiles.
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development, Sport Sciences, Exercise and Health Department, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Villa Real, Portugal. pvicente@utad.pt
authors.forename: Paulo Vicente
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: João
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D011930:Reaction Time; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012984:Software; D054798:Volleyball / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*