Sex- and Activity-Specific Differences in Hand Anthropometry and Asymmetry in Volleyball Players and Sedentary Young Adults

Anthropometric characteristics influence sports performance, and sport-specific demands may lead to morphological differences in the upper extremities. Volleyball requires high levels of hand–eye coordination and technical skill, potentially affecting hand structure. This study examined sex- and activity-specific differences in hand anthropometry and asymmetry between volleyball players and sedentary young adults. A total of 320 participants aged 18–25 years were included: 160 professional volleyball players (80 females, 80 males) and 160 sedentary university students (80 females, 80 males). Hand length, hand width, palm length, third finger length, shape index, finger index, and hand surface area were measured from standardized hand images using ImageJ software. Female volleyball players exhibited significantly larger right-hand dimensions than sedentary females (e.g., hand length: 17.97 ± 1.78 cm vs. 16.56 ± 1.16 cm; p < 0.001). In contrast, male volleyball players showed smaller right-hand measurements compared with sedentary males (e.g., hand length: 18.63 ± 1.92 cm vs. 19.46 ± 2.43 cm; p = 0.018). Distinct right–left asymmetry patterns were observed across groups, with right-hand dominance in males and greater left-hand dimensions in sedentary females. These findings indicate that hand morphology differs according to sex and physical activity status. The results highlight the potential relevance of hand anthropometry for performance profiling and talent identification in volleyball.