Abstract
Abstract AIM Describe and compare training load dynamics of two Olympic beach volleyball players. METHODS Two Olympic beach volleyball players participated in this study (specialist defender and blocker: both aged 34 years, holding 14 years of competitive experience, height: 1.74 m and 1.81 m, weight: 69 kg and 65 kg, respectively). Internal training load (ITL), total weekly training load (TWTL), monotony and strain were obtained through the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) for three training mesocycles (10 weeks). Lower limb explosive power was assessed through the counter movement jump (CMJ). RESULTS Mean ITL, TWTL, monotony and strain during the 10-week period were: 370 ± 156; 1997 ± 838; 2.7 ± 1.3; 5621 ± 1802 arbitrary units (AU) (Defender) and 414 ± 153; 2392 ± 892; 2.7 ± 1.1; 6894 ± 3747 (AU) (Blocker). Mean of CMJ height was 47.0 ± 1.3 and 40.3 ± 1.6 cm, for the defender and blocker, respectively. The defender player presented higher ITL in the second (effect size (ES) = 0.90; 92/5/3, likely) and in the third (ES = 0.91; 94/4/2, likely) mesocycles when compared to the first. Monotony raised from the first to the third mesocycle (ES = 2.91; 98/1/1, very likely). Blocker’s ITL was higher in the third mesocycle than the first (ES = 1.42. 98/1/1, very likely) and the second (ES = 1.49; 98/1/1, likely) ones. CONCLUSION ITL magnitude increased from the first to the third mesocycle, in both players.
Highlights
IntroductionBeach Volleyball (BV) is a team sport characterized by its intermittent nature, demanding frequent shifting between short periods of maximal efforts (attack) and longer periods of submaximal efforts (positioning to serve/receive)[1]
Beach Volleyball (BV) is a team sport characterized by its intermittent nature, demanding frequent shifting between short periods of maximal efforts and longer periods of submaximal efforts[1]
Our findings agree with those reported by Bouaziz et al.[6] who had reported an increasing in Internal training load (ITL) from first to second mesocycle in rugby athletes, and it is possible that its magnitude might result from different objectives within each mesocycle
Summary
Beach Volleyball (BV) is a team sport characterized by its intermittent nature, demanding frequent shifting between short periods of maximal efforts (attack) and longer periods of submaximal efforts (positioning to serve/receive)[1]. Some studies[1,3] have reported differences in physical demands (e.g. number of jumps per set) when considering the player’s role (defense and blocker specialist). These are relevant determinant factors to attain high expertise and victories during the matches[4]. Elite sports environment is characterized by the progressively higher demands imposed on athletes. Coaches and practitioners seek for monitoring tools that provide useful variables for planning training sessions, optimizing performance gains and providing competitive benefits[5]
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