External load in male professional volleyball: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify the volleyball external loads values in the literature and to verify the applicability of different means of quantification and monitoring of these variables during training sessions and matches. Material and methods: This systematic review was produced following the PRISMA statement recommendations, and the search for publications was carried out in the databases PubMed/NCBI, SportDiscus via EBSCOhost, SciELO. 12 studies meet the criteria and were included in this review. Results: The most used tool for quantification, monitoring and evaluation of external loads are video recording and manual or semi-automatic counting of jumps and distance covered and, more recently, the use of inertial measurements unit. The middle blocker has the highest high jump load, outside hitters jump closer to the maximum more often and setters have a high demand of medium height jumps. Conclusions: Match and training jump loads seem to be similar, and sessions that involve block or attack have a higher jump load. In professional male volleyball, training is planned with variation in training loads according to the period of the sea-son and according to the days of the week before and after games.

Strength and Conditioning Profile of the Motions in Volleyball

“…Our result showed that the most common jump is the standing jump (performed during block move). Similar to our findings was the study of Pisa et al (2022) where block and attack movements have a higher jump load during matches. Moreover, Piatti et al ( 2022) reported that player type of jumps gives coaches appropriate insight into the physical exertion and technical requirement of each in-game role.…”

The Relationship Between Vertical Jump Height and Negative Attack Performance According to Different Positions of Elite Male Volleyball Players

“…Furthermore, Sheppard, Gabbett & Stanganelli, (2009) stated that although middle blockers perform more jumps than outside blockers because they have to jump even if they do not meet the ball, it cannot be said that they perform more attacks. Pisa, Zecchin, Gomes & Puggina, (2022) found that middle blockers had a higher jump load, outside blockers made maximum jumps, and setters made medium-height jumps. In block and attack jumps, it was observed that the middle blocker had the highest number of jumps, followed by the opposites.…”

Using inertial measurement units for quantifying the most intense jumping movements occurring in professional male volleyball players

“…Although the opposite and the outside hitters frequently perform jumps closer to their maximum height, the middle blockers and the setters are used to greater jumps 11 , 22 , 23 . Indeed, in a 108 training sessions analysis (27 official games and seven friendly matches of elite volleyball team), 6 , 13 observed that the setter performed the highest number of jumps per session (121), followed by the middle blocker (92) and opposite hitter.…”

“…The workload in volleyball could be measured as internal and/or external load and could be defined across several parameters, such as volume, frequency, intensity, monotony, and density, among others 7 , 8 . In this respect, while external workload could be described as an indirect measure represented by the amount of the physical work, such as distance, velocity, number of jumps per session, which are the most common measures of external load in different studies 9 – 11 .…”