Differences in Physical, Physiological and Motor Performance Traits between Volleyball and Basketball Athletes in a University in Ghana

Summary: Physical, physiological and motor performance traits play substantial role in both volleyball (VB) and basketball (BB) competitions. The differences in these traits among University athletes in Ghana have not been reported. Hence, this study documents and compares the physical, physiological and motor performance traits of VB and BB university athletes. Purposive sampling technique involving thirty-five university athletes (24 males and 11 females) with mean age of 21.77 ± 2.03years was used. Height, weightn, waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), shoulder muscular endurance (SME), abdominal muscular endurance (AME), left and right Arm Strength, Leg Power, Reaction time, Agility and Speed traits were measured. Descriptive statistics was used while analysis of variable was by paired t-test and significance was at p<0.05. Volleyball players significantly have better WHR, AMS and agility while Basketball athletes possess better SBP, SME and reaction time. Gender influence was significant in height, WHR, HR, SBP, SME, AME, LAS, RAS, speed, reaction time, power and agility. Athletes in both games do not have similar physical, physiological and motor performance traits. Volley Ball players had better abdominal muscular endurance, right-hand muscular strength, speed, power and agility while BB players had better shoulder muscular endurance and reaction time traits. These differences in traits should inform volleyball and basketball coaches in their selection.