José M Palao

University of Wisconsin–Parkside | UWP · Health, Kinesiology and Sport Management

The present paper studies the effect of a team's level on the performance of skills (serve, reception, spike, block and dig) in high level volleyball. Thirtythree male matches and 23 female matches of the Olympic Games of Sydney 2000 were recorded and analyzed. The performance of skills was evaluated in relation to the success and options that thes...

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO PRESENT A SPECIFIC TESTING PROTOCOL FOR MONITORING THE ABILITY TO USE STRENGTH IN THE SPIKE AND THE SERVE IN VOLLEYBALL. THE ABILITY TO USE STRENGTH IS MEASURED AS THE SPEED OF THE BALL. THE PROTOCOL IS COMPOSED OF 6 TESTS: STANDING SPIKE, STANDING SPIKE AT THE NET, SPIKING IN A GENERAL SITUATION, SPIKING IN A SPEC...

An excessive load in resisted sprint training can produce changes in running patterns. Therefore, load control is essential to ensure the specificity of these training methods. The most common way to control it is through the percentage of velocity lost in relation to maximum velocity. The present paper describes a study that aimed to establish the...

The purpose of this study was to assess the ball contacts, jumps, hits, work time, and rest ratio in male beach volleyball players in relation to their tactical roles. The sample of this study included 6970 rallies played by 91 beach volleyball players, which corresponded to 179 sets of the 2008 Men’s Beach Volleyball World Tour (FIVB). We analyzed...

Resisted sprint running is a common training method for improving sprint-specific strength. For maximum specificity of training, the athlete's movement patterns during the training exercise should closely resemble those used when performing the sport. The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics of sprinting at maximum velocity to the ki...

Introduction The objective was to analyze the effect of a reduction of the net height and the court size and serve limitations on the technical-tactical actions, physical actions, and psychological aspects in youth volleyball players. Methods The sample was 29 under-14 female volleyball players (three regional club teams). A quasi-experimental des...

The aim was to determine the evolution of the attack regarding the way of execution and efficacy level according to the age group and level of competition in female volleyball. The sample was composed of 48 matches in U14, U16, U18, senior 2nd national division, senior 1st national division, and senior international level. The studied variables wer...

The purpose of this scoping review was to analyse the effect of rules modification on technical and tactical action in young basketball. The publications search period ranged from January 2007 to December 2021. The search covered the following electronic databases: SCOPUS, SportDiscus, and the Web of Science core collection. Following this search p...

Goal-setting is a common procedure used in sport to increase players' and teams' performances. The implementation requires the use of specific protocols (e.g., SMART criteria to establish outcome, performance, and process goals). Despite the evidence behind the benefits of this technique, its implementation by coaches could be affected by several i...

Over the last decade, the growth of match analysis in indoor and beach volleyball indicates the relevance of the subject to provide a structured and up-to-date picture of the state of the art. The purpose of this article was to present a bibliometric analysis of articles on match analysis in indoor and beach volleyball. A total of 179 and 44 articl...

The purpose of this scoping review was to analyse the effect of rules modification on technical and tactical action in young basketball. The publications search period ranged from January 2007 to December 2021. The search covered the following electronic databases: SCOPUS, SportDiscus, and the Web of Science core collection. Following this search p...

Sidestep cuts between 60° and 180° and one-leg landings have been identified as the main mechanisms of ACL injuries in several sports. This study sought to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability of a qualitative tool to assess high-risk movements in a 90° change of direction when the test is applied in a real framework of sport practice. Fema...

Background: Many strategies are used to introduce athletes in sport. The aim of this study was to analyse the satisfaction level and game preferences of volleyball and beach volleyball players at initial categories, regarding: (a) the execution and performance of the game actions, and (b) carrying out training tasks according to their structure and...

Proper scaling of sports equipment is necessary to ensure an optimal teaching-learning process . This study aimed to analyse the effect of reducing basket height on the technical-tactical actions, physical participation, self-efficacy, cooperation and enjoyment of young basketball players in the competition. 51 under-14 male basketball players from...

The aim of this paper was to study the training methods and criteria used by Spanish volleyball coaches. The sample included 22 coaches from Spain's first and second divisions of the men’s and somen’s competitions. The variables studied were related to the criteria volleyball coaches used to plan for training sessions with their teams. The question...

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of the modification of the pitch size, goal size, and the number of players per team on the level of cooperation in youth soccer players (U-12). A quasi-experimental design was implemented to measure the effects of the changes in the number of players per team (8-aside vs. 5-aside), goal size (6 x 2...

Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual. 36, 182-202. The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of information used by coaches of female athletes to carry out their continuing education with regard to the sport they coach and their socio-demographic characteristics. The sample included 424 U.S. NCAA Division I coaches of fema...

The aim was to study the effect of a formative program about nutrition as well as weight management and its risks in elite gymnasts. The sample was 37 under-18 Spanish athletes from rhythmic and aesthetic gymnastics (national level). The sample was divided into a control group (n = 21) and an intervention group (n = 16). A quasi-experimental design...

The adaptation of sports equipment seeks to adjust the learning environment to students' characteristics. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of adapting the basket height on the execution and decision-making of technical-tactical skills, self-efficacy, cooperation, and students' perception in a basketball unit. A quasi-experimental...

The aim of this study was to compare two scaled competition formats for under 10 years of age (U-10) tennis players analyzing: serve performance; serve performance according to the serve placement; rally length; rally length in function of the serve placement; serve performance according to the game status.. Twenty U-10 players (age = 9.46±0.66 yea...

This study aimed to analyze the evolution of the game phases performance and the way of scoring points throughout different age groups and levels of competition in male volleyball. The sample was 53,320 game phases performed in 299 sets from five competition categories (national under-14, national under-16, national under-19, senior national and se...

The study of the manner of execution (technique, and spatial aspects) can provide useful information to understand the game dynamics in beach volleyball and to obtain references values for the analysis of the game and the establishment of training goals. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the manner of execution on serve and ral...

The aim of this paper was to study the change of game patterns of elite soccer players according to their playing position and ages. A total of 28,547 match observations from 923 players were undertaken in the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) during six seasons (2012–2017) using tracking data from Amisco (Amisco, Nice, France). Playing positions w...

Summary. This study aimed to verify the differences between the training load planned by coaches and that perceived by Beach Volleyball (BV) players and observe the effects on athletes’ neuromuscular function. Three female BV players and well-known coaches participated in the research and were accompanied for three training weeks in the preseason p...

Influencia de las lesiones previas en los patrones fundamentales del movimiento en jugadoras profesionales de fútbol Influence of previous injuries on fundamental movement patterns in professional female soccer players Resumen En el alto nivel la detección del riesgo de lesión resulta crucial para alcanzar el éxito deportivo. Para ello, los equipos...

En el alto nivel la detección del riesgo de lesión resulta crucial para alcanzar el éxito deportivo. Para ello, los equipos técnicos suelen buscar herramientas sencillas, económicas y que doten de mucha información, tales como los tests funcionales y registros de lesiones. Por lo tanto, los objetivos de este estudio fueron describir tanto las lesio...

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the short effect of the modification of the players' number, field size, and goal size on the levels of physical self-efficacy, football-specific self-efficacy, and collective self-efficacy in male youth football players. Design A quasi-experimental study of type A-B-A (three tournaments) was impl...

This study aimed to establish reference values for technical performance profile of the block regarding execution and efficacy according to the category of competition in female volleyball. The sample of the study was composed of a total of 9,024 blocks from 187 sets of 48 matches played by the top eight teams of under-14, under-16, under-18, 2nd n...

A player's sports development involves a long process. The modification of rules for youth players seeks to adapt the sport to the child and his/her development. The manipulation of rules affects the technical and tactical skills demonstrated by players and, therefore, their development. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of a re...

Adapting competitions to young players’ characteristics is an important pillar in the optimal teaching–learning process. The objective of the present study is to analyze the effect of modifying net height (from 0.91 to 0.80 m) and court dimensions (from 23.77 × 8.23 m to 18 × 8.23 m) for under-10 (U-10) tennis players on the following: (a) kinds of...

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of nutrition, weight control, and weight control risk knowledge, and dietary and weight regulation practice of female gymnast of different levels of competition (regional, national, and international). The sample was 39 female rhythmic and aesthetic gymnastics athletes from the different levels of c...

The purpose of this paper was to assess the evolution of sports coverage regarding gender in online newspapers in two western societies Spain and the United States, in a period of ten years (2004 vs. 2014). A total of 2,951 articles with athletic content from the online newspapers usatoday.com and elmundo.es were analyzed. The variables registered...

PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of age and level of competition on the evolution of the offensive actions’ efficacy and its effect on the game in women’s volleyball. METHODS: The sample was six teams (two from the Spanish junior national level, two from the Spanish senior national level, and two from the senior inter...

The aim of the study was to determine the technical performance profile of floor defense regarding execution and efficacy according to different age groups and levels of competition in women’s volleyball. The sample of the study was composed of a total of 7,818 game phases from 48 matches in the following divisions: under-14, under-16, under-18, 2n...

The aim of this study was to determine the technical performance profile of service reception with regard to execution and efficacy level according to level of competition in women’s volleyball. The sample of the study was composed of a total of 6,311 game phases from 187 sets in 48 matches played during season 2005–2006 by the following divisions:...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the way the reception was executed on the efficacy of the reception in men’s beach volleyball. The sample of this study was composed of 5,161 receptions, corresponding to 84 matches (179 sets) of the Men’s Beach Volleyball World Tour organized by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (F...

The purpose of this study was to design, validate, and establish the reliability of a test to assess the agility and specific speed of youth beach volleyball players. The test was developed in four stages: a) analysis of the context and coaches’ needs, b) test design, c) validation of the test, and d) evaluation of the reliability of the test in re...

The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the external jump-training load of different playing positions in male professional volleyball players during regular competitive microcycles. Five male elite volleyball players participated in this study. The sample was composed by five male elite volleyball players of a team from Portugal's firs...

The purpose of this study was to analyse the variations of technical actions and efficacy of national teams' volleyball players according to their sex and playing positions. The study included 8,541 rallies played in 74 volleyball matches (37 matches for each sex, 2018 European Volleyball Golden League). The variables studied were: sex (male or fem...

Characterization of Foot Contact during running, and walking

The use of observational methodology in the sports context provides coaches and other sports professionals with flexible tools that adapt to their needs. In collective sports, the use of these instruments is common for the technical and tactical analysis of the game. Based on the importance of data quality in these instruments, the purpose was to d...

Journal of Sports Analytics. Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess side-out success and ways that points are obtained in relation to the result of the game in women’s college volleyball. A total of 2,435 rallies from 48 sets of the Missouri Valley Conference (NCAA Division I) were analyzed. The variables studied were: game phase, phase...

The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship between the manner of execution and efficacy in elite female beach volleyball players. A total of 71 sets of 22 women's teams from the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 were analyzed. The variables studied were: attack zone, attack type, the presence of block, defense type, defense zone, defense...

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the accuracy of steps and heart rate measurement of wrist fitness trackers at different prices. Four healthy college students voluntarily tested three wrist fitness bands and a sports watch (Xiaomi Mi Band, Fitbit Charge HRm, Fitbit Surge, and sports watch Polar M400). Subjects performed two sets of 10...

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of incorporating specific upper-body plyometric training for the spike into the competitive season of a women's professional volleyball team. Methods: A professional team from the Spanish first division participated in the study. An A-B-A' quasi-experimental design with experimental...

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the types and intensity of the jumps that professional male volleyball players executed. Seven male elite volleyball players participated in this study. The sample was composed of 1599 jumps performed in 15 sets of five official matches of the regular season of a professional team. A descriptive pilot s...

The study aimed to assess the changes in the perceived internal load and wellness status of volleyball players in preparatory, regular (i.e. uncongested), and congested weeks during a full season. Thirteen elite volleyball players were studied (237 training sessions and 37 official matches). Session-RPE, muscle soreness, stress, fatigue, sleep qual...

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of modifications in field size, number of players, and goal size on the goalkeeper's actions in competition in male youth soccer (n = 4) (under-12). A quasi-experimental design was implemented to measure the effects of the changes in the number of players per team (8-a-side vs. 5-a-side), goal size...

The goal of this study was to establish technical and tactical performance goals for elite male volleyball players (Spanish first division). This paper is the result of scientific collaboration between volleyball coaches and researchers. The process of establishing the goals and the reference values of the performance goals was: 1) conceptual analy...

Background: Monitoring training load is critical to minimize the risk of overreaching, injury or illness. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships and variance between perceived internal load and wellness status of elite male volleyball. Methods: Thirteen elite volleyball players were studied during a full competitive season (ni...

The purpose of this paper was to establish the technical and tactical performance goals for elite men´s beach volleyball players. The process for calculation and analysis was carried out in three stages: 1) establishing the criteria to analyze and monitor; 2) data collection (match observation) as well as descriptive (mean, standard deviation, base...

The purpose of this study was to design, validate, and test the reliability of an instrument to evaluate knowledge of nutrition, weight control and its risk. The instrument collects information regarding: socio-demographics and athletic status; basic knowledge of nutrition (the diet they follow, nutrients, supplements, energy balance, myths, hydrat...

Aims The aim of the present study was to analyze the differences in wheelchair tennis game statistics between winning and losing sets. Methods Data were collected from the 139 sets of 64 matches played by 64 males' players in the 2012 Paralympics Games. The variables studied were grouped in four groups: variables related to serve, to return, to wi...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the evolution of the game's demands throughout players' development in men's volleyball. Methods: A total of 150 sets and 6.671 rallies were analysed. The sample was composed of 30 sets each by under-14, under-16, under-19, national senior, and international senior teams (1.291, 1.318, 1.310, 1.37...

This study aimed to compare beach volleyball performance indicators between winning and losing teams in different age groups. Game actions from the 2010 to 2011 Men’s World Championships were observed using video match analysis (6095 from under-19, 5138 from under-21 and 8705 from senior matches). Variables assessed were: number of points won in ea...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a formative program concerning nutrition, weight control, and its risks wrestlers under the age of 18 (under-18) at the Spanish national level. The sample comprised 36 under-18 wrestlers that were pre-selected for the Spanish national team. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-t...

The purpose of this study was to determine what coaches of female athletes know about the female athlete triad. The sample involved 472 NCAA Division I coaches of female athletes. The variables studied were coaches’ knowledge and confidence about the triad and coaches' characteristics (coach's gender, age, type of coach, degree held, years of exper...

The purpose of this study was to test a protocol for establishing collective technical and tactical performance goals in elite men’s volleyball. The participants were a professional volleyball team. The period of study was one entire season. A baseline was established in the first half of the season, and the intervention was carried out in the seco...

The purpose of the study was to assess the evolution of the sport image provided to Western societies by online newspapers in a period of ten years (2004 vs. 2014). A total of 1816 articles with athletic content published in usatoday.com and 1135 articles with athletic content in elmundo.es were studied. The analyzed articles were collected during...

The purpose of this paper was to study whether the standing spike test and the jump spike test are valid ways to measure the spike speed for players of different ages. The sample included 27 players from the under-18 Spanish national team and the senior Spanish national team. The variables that were studied include the ball speeds of the standing s...

The aim was to assess an educational program about game statistics and a goal setting intervention in a community college women’s volleyball team. The sample consisted of 12 players from a Midwestern community college women’s volleyball team. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and re-test was done. The dependent variable was th...

The aim of this study was to analyze the technical-tactical performance profile of the serve for various age groups and categories of competition in men's volleyball. The sample comprised 13,262 serves performed by 986 players in 299 sets observed in various categories of competition (U-14, U-16, U-19, national senior, and international senior). An...

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer el efecto de la aplicación de planteamientos metodológicos diferentes sobre el aprendizaje de tres gestos técnicos durante una unidad didáctica de voleibol en clase de educación física. La muestra utilizada fue de 68 alumnos de tres clases de 1º curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. Se llevó a cabo...

The aim of this paper was to study the relationship between spike speed and the players’ characteristics, anthropometrics, and strength levels throughout the season for a women’s professional volleyball team. Players from a Spanish first division team performed a battery of tests evaluating anthropometric characteristics, strength performance, and...

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse the technical-tactical performance profile of blocking and court defence actions for various age groups and categories of competition in men's volleyball. The sample comprised 16,454 blocks and 8,321 digs performed in 299 sets in several categories of competition (from U-14 to Olympic Games). A descript...

The purpose of this study was to determine what coaches of female athletes know about the three components of the female athlete triad with regard to type of sport coached and the characteristics of the coach. The sample consisted of 309 NCAA Division I coaches of female athletes in the sports of: sports with subjective scoring of performance (gymn...