Training Load, Physical Performance, Biochemical Markers, and Psychological Stress During a Short Preparatory Period in Brazilian Elite Male Volleyball Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between training load (TL) and physical performance, biochemical markers, and psychological stress during a short preparatory period (PP) in Brazilian elite male volleyball players. Twelve volleyball players from a team competing in the Brazilian Men's Volleyball Super League were enrolled (26.9 ± 4.6 years). Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Creatine Kinase (CK), Testosterone (T), Cortisol (Cr), T/Cr ratio, and Recovery and Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) were collected at baseline, after 2, 4, and 6 week. TL was quantified daily using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Differences were noted between Total Weekly TL (TWTL) (F3,33 = 50.907; p = 0.0001), CK (F3,33 = 16.157; p = 0.0001), and T (F3,33 = 3.283; p = 0.03). No differences were seen in CMJ (F3,33 = 1.821; p = 0.16), Cr (F3,33 = 2.409; p = 0.08), or T/Cr ratio (F3,33 = 1.527; p = 0.23). The RESTQ-Sport demonstrated differences between moments in Social Stress (F3,33 = 2.297; p = 0.04; Eta = 0.25), Success (F3,33 = 4.350; p = 0.01; Eta = 0.19), General Well-being (F3,33 = 4.465; p = 0.01; Eta = 0.36), and Injury (F3,33 = 2.792; p = 0.05; Eta = 0.62). The results showed a significant correlations of small to moderate magnitude between TWTL and CK (r = 0.32; p = 0.05). In conclusion, a short PP in volleyball leads to increased TL, CK level, and psychological stress. TL was related with the increase of CK, suggesting muscle damage without increased of physical performance.

Monitoring Training Load and Recovery in Volleyball Players During a Season

“…Regarding the load values found in other studies with volleyball athletes, only one was similar to the values found in this study, with values ranging from 4138±664 to 4427±409 U.A during two weeks of intensification of training loads. 15 In the study by Horta et al 16 , the load values found during the preparatory period were higher (5942±962 U.A) compared to our study.…”

“…[10][11][12][13] The tools used to assess recovery include the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale and the Well--Being Questionnaire (WB). 2,11 Although some studies monitor training loads in volleyball at some points during the season, [14][15][16] there is still a lack of studies on the recovery state behavior along the season, of how the characteristics of some periods will influence it to help understand the recovery and its variables in volleyball.…”

Syzygium cumini Nectar Supplementation Reduced Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Muscle Damage, and Improved Psychological Response in Highly Trained Young Handball Players

“…Serum CK and LDH levels may be increased due to skeletal muscle damage as a consequence of intense training and are directly associated with training load ( Horta et al, 2017 ). In addition, muscle damage can induce delayed-onset muscle soreness and performance loss ( Peake and Neubauer, 2017 ).…”

Training Load Impact on Recovery Status in Professional Volleyball Athletes

“…3,4 The success of training, in turn, depends on the balance between training load magnitude and recovery. 1,[5][6][7] In recent decades, the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method 8,9 has proved to be a simple and very useful tool for quantifying and monitoring volleyball training loads, 1,2,5,[10][11][12][13][14] indicating good applicability of the method in elite volleyball teams. The RPE represents a subjective parameter of measurement after the exercise session that reflects the integration between the central and peripheral signals, with a repercussion on efferent neural impulses from the motor cortex, generated and memorized in the central nervous system, interpreted by the sensory cortex, producing a general or local perception of the effort required to accomplish a particular task.…”