ChapterPDF Available

Volleyball. In: Physiological testing of elite athletes, 2nd edition.

Authors:
  • Canada Snowboard
  • Gabbett Performance Solutions

Supplementary resource (1)

Article
Full-text available
To investigate the influence of short-term vigorous endurance training on aortic blood pressure (BP), pulse wave analysis was performed in 36 highly trained elite collegiate endurance runners before and after a 7-day intense training camp. Subjects participated three training sessions per day, which mainly consisted of long distance running and sprint training to reach the daily target distance of 26 km. After the camp, they were divided into two groups based on whether the target training was achieved. Aortic systolic BP, pulse pressure, and tension-time index (TTI, a surrogate index of the myocardial oxygen demand) were significantly elevated after the camp in the accomplished group but not in the unaccomplished group, whereas the brachial BP remained unchanged in both groups. The average daily training distance was significantly correlated with the changes in aortic systolic BP (r = 0.608, p = 0.0002), pulse pressure (r = 0.415, p = 0.016), and TTI (r = 0.438, p = 0.011). These results suggest that aortic BP is affected by a short-term vigorous training camp even in highly trained elite endurance athletes presumably due to a greater training volume compared to usual.
Chapter
Demands of the triathlonTriathlon trainingCharacteristics of triathletes and their relationship to performanceConclusions References
Article
Full-text available
This article focuses on the concept of positive health and, in particular, recognizes the importance of physical fitness. It is argued that measures of physical fitness are indicators of positive health and such measures are identified under their discrete headings of agility, flexibility, power, speed and reaction time, strength, cardiovascular capacity, body composition and posture. The theme of health-related fitness is explored, with recognition of its increasing importance for health promotion in schools, the community and commerce. Evidence is presented that highlights the general acceptance of the importance of certain fitness components in the assessment of the positive health of populations. In addition, an alternative method of assessing fitness is discussed, arising from the authors' recognition of its potential as an inexpensive, easily administered indicator of one aspect of positive health. The case for using subjective indicators of positive health is also presented–the argument being that subjective health could be a possible mediator in the attainment of positive health.
Article
Full-text available
Vertical jump performance tests can give considerably different results, even when different methods are used to analyze the same jump trial from the same subject. To evaluate and compare 4 different methods commonly used to measure vertical jump performance, 52 physically active men each performed 5 maximal vertical jumps. Kinetic and kinematic data were used to analyze each trial using the 4 methods: a criterion test based on body center of mass displacement (VJPT), 2 methods based on vertical takeoff velocity as calculated from the force platform, and 1 method based on time in the air (JUMPAIR). All 4 methods showed excellent reliability (R > .97). Using VJPT as the criterion, the other 3 methods showed excellent coefficients of validity (R > .95) but poor accuracy: The obtained vertical jump height scores were statistically different among all methods (p < .01). JUMPAIR is considered a relatively simple and inexpensive method to obtain valid and reliable measures of vertical jump performance without an arm swing, provided the appropriate adjustments are made to the jump results.
Article
Full-text available
The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the performance between winning and losing teams in Beach Volleyball (BV) matches on courts of new (8x8m) and old dimensions (9x9m) at the side out phase. Side out in BV means the change of the right to serve Nine semifinals and seven finals of the Hellenic BV Championship taking place at an 8x8m and 9x9m court were video-recorded using a camera. 34 sets and 1466 phases were recorded and the following technical skills were analyzed: a) serve b) reception c) attack. In addition, attack was divided into two categories according to the type of the attack: a) spikes and b) shots. The term effectiveness was established by the ratio determining the total kills minus total errors divided by total attempts. Independent samples t-test was used in order to compare the above mentioned parameters between the winning (N) and losing (H) teams at these two different court dimensions (8x8, 9x9). Significant differences were found, t(16) = 3.06, p< .01), in the attack efficiency (MN8x8 = .476, SD = .086, MH8x8 = .315, SD = .131), (t(18) = 2.44, p< .05), in the spike efficiency (MN8x8 = .479, SD = .162, MH8x8 = .254, SD = .236), in the percentage of errors (MN8x8 = .139, SD = .052, MH8x8 = .204, SD = .077), (t(18) = 2.21, p< .05), in the percentage of receptions errors (MN9x9 = .09, SD = .043, MH9x9= .032, SD = .029), t(10) = 2.73, p< .05) and in reception (MH9x9 = 0.96, SD = 0.03, MH9x9 = 0.90, SD = 0.05), (t(10) = 2.74, p< 0.05). Winning and losing teams used the spikes and shots at approximately the same rate. In conclusion, different skills performance contributed to winning the match after the reduction in court dimensions. On the 8x8, the winners had better attack efficiency and fewer errors, while on the 9x9 they had better reception.
Article
For many years, researchers in the foundry industry and universities have been developing testing protocols to evaluate the physical, performance and emission characteristics of prepared green sand during pouring, cooling and shakeout. This paper will review the testing protocol and methods utilized in the collection and evaluation of these characteristics that is the result of the entire metal casting process. An important criterion also is the quality of the green sand mold and casting produced (defect free) when the emission characteristics are reduced. This paper will also include the laser imaging evaluation of the castings that is the result of the green sand foundry emissions.
Article
The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinesiological factors that distinguish good jumpers from poor ones, in an attempt to understand the critical factors in vertical jump performance (VJP). Fifty-two normal, physically active male college students each performed five maximal vertical jumps with arms akimbo. Ground reaction forces and video data were collected during the jumps. Subjects' strength was tested isometrically. Thirty-five potential predictor variables were calculated for statistical modeling by multiple-regression analysis. At the whole-body level of analysis, the best models (which included peak and average mechanical power) accounted for 88% of VJP variation (p < .0005). At the segmental level, the best models accounted for 60% of variation in VJP (p < .0005). Unexpectedly, coordination variables were not related to VJP. These data suggested that VJP was most strongly associated with the mechanical power developed during jump execution.
Article
The effect of semiaccommodating-resistance training on isokinetic and performance measures of female volleyball players was examined. Ten intervarsity players (X age + 19.7 years, X weight + 66.7; kg., X height & plus 17.47 cm) participated in the training program in addition to their volleyball practice schedule. A control group of five players participated in volleyball practice only. The training program consisted of 10-second exercise intervals and 10-second rest intervals at six speed settings on each of three upper body and three lower body semiaccommodating-resistance devices. The players performed the resistance training three times per week during the first three weeks and twice per week during the second three weeks. The control group did not demonstrate significant improvement on any of the parameters measured. The experimental group, however, demonstrated significant improvement in the block jump and knee extension at 180[degrees] [middle dot] s1 over the training time. The results demonstrate the importance of resistance training in addition to volleyball specific drills and practice. Other forms of resistance training for volleyball training are also discussed. (C) 1987 National Strength and Conditioning Association