Development of a Repeated-Effort Test for Elite Men’s Volleyball

Abstract

Purpose:The authors conducted a study to develop a repeated-effort test for international men’s volleyball. The test involved jumping and movement activity that was specific to volleyball, using durations and rest periods that replicated the demands of a match.Methods:A time–motion analysis was performed on a national team and development national team during international matches to determine the demands of competition and thereby form the basis of the rationale in designing the repeated-effort test. An evaluation of the test for reliability and validity in discriminating between elite and sub-elite players was performed.Results:The test jump height and movement-speed test parameters were highly reliable, with findings of high intraclass correlations (ICCs) and low typical errors of measurement (TE; ICC .93 to .95 and %TE 0.54 to 2.44). The national team’s ideal and actual jump height and ideal and actual speeds, mean ± SD, were 336.88 ± 8.31 cm, 329.91 ± 6.70 cm, 6.83 ± 0.34 s, and 7.14 ± 0.34 s, respectively. The development national team’s ideal and actual jump heights and ideal and actual speeds were 330.88 ± 9.09 cm, 323.80 ± 7.74 cm, 7.41 ± 0.56 s, and 7.66 ± 0.56 s, respectively. Probabilities of differences between groups for ideal jump, actual jump, ideal time, and actual time were 82%, 95%, 92%, and 96%, respectively, with a Cohen effect-size statistic supporting large magnitudes (0.69, 0.84, 1.34, and 1.13, respectively).Conclusion:The results of this study demonstrate that the developed test offers a reliable and valid method of assessing repeated-effort ability in volleyball players.

Effects of Experimental Volleyball Rules Quantified by Type and Number of Jumps, Hits and Contacts

“…Sheppard et al (2007) and Sheppard et al (2009) identified Middle blocker as the most frequent performer of jumps during block in comparison to Setters and Outsides hitters, while Middle blockers performed more jumps during attack than Outside hitter and Setter, concurring with our study. Vilamitjana et al (2008) reported that the most frequent performer of jumps is Middle blocker, followed by Outside hitter, Setter and Opposite, also concurring with our study.…”

“…Investigations into players' ability to reach upwards, attack frequently from height and achieve a high blocking position showed that jumping is an important athletic skill for high performance in volleyball (Aouadi et al, 2012;Borràs, Balius, Drobnic, & Galilea, 2011;Sheppard, Gabbett, & Taylor, 2007;Sheppard et al, 2008;Vilamitjana et al, 2008). The attack and block, as important actions of a volleyball game, were identified as the best predictors in matches (Afonso, Esteves, Araújo, Thomas, & Mesquita, 2012;Castro & Mesquita, 2008;Marcelino & Mesquita, 2006;Marcelino, Mesquita, & Afonso, 2008;Rodríguez-Ruiz et al, 2011).…”

Treinamento físico pré-competitivo e marcadores de desempenho, estresse e recuperação em jovens atletas de voleibol

“…The frequent jumps performed during volleyball training sessions and games require the ability to preserve power application for a prolonged period of time 1 . As a consequence, the evaluation of explosive strength endurance in volleyball athletes is as important as the evaluation of CMJ performance 18 .…”

“…During games and training sessions, hundreds of jumps are performed, especially during attacking and blocking actions 1 . Furthermore, a greater jump height during serving and blocking actions is achieved by the most successful teams with victories of the same competitive level 2 .…”

“…Volleyball is an intermittent sports modality in which the main actions of the game are performed at high intensity, intercalated with periods of low intensity 1 . During games and training sessions, hundreds of jumps are performed, especially during attacking and blocking actions 1 .…”