Revealing Sex-Based Patterns and Fitness Component Gaps among Youth Volleyball Players through the TKJI Assessment

Abstract

Background: Physical fitness plays a vital role in supporting performance and preventing injuries among young volleyball players. In many Indonesian schools, however, training sessions still tend to emphasize technical drills rather than comprehensive physical preparation.

Aims: This study was designed to describe the physical fitness condition of students who joined volleyball extracurricular activities, while also identifying possible differences between male and female participants across the main TKJI components.

Methods: A total of 44 high-school students (24 boys and 20 girls) aged between 15 and 17 years participated in this descriptive study. Each participant completed the Indonesian Physical Fitness Test (TKJI), which measures five elements of fitness: speed, strength, power, endurance, and flexibility. The collected data were processed using descriptive statistics and simple comparisons to outline patterns between groups.

Results: Overall, the students were classified within the moderate fitness category. Boys generally showed better performance in tests involving strength and explosive power, whereas girls achieved more balanced scores in endurance and flexibility. Both groups, however, tended to show lower results in aerobic endurance, suggesting limited exposure to continuous cardiovascular training.

Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that school-based volleyball activities contribute positively to students’ fitness but have yet to develop all components evenly. The results underline the importance of integrating specific endurance and conditioning exercises into volleyball training programs to foster more balanced physical development among young athletes.