High-level Men Research Articles

Decisive Shots: Unveiling Disparities between Winning and Losing Pairs in High-Level Men’s Padel

This study aimed to describe and distinguish shot characteristics between set winning and losing pairs in high-level male padel players from Finland. Between 2022 and 2023, we analyzed 4469 points across 38 matches, examining factors such as match type, set outcome, effectiveness of the last shot, generator of forced error, and shot type. Results showed that set-winning players produced more winners (CSR = 7.7; CSR = 6.8) and committed fewer forced (CSR = 4.2; CSR = 2.8) and unforced errors (CSR = 4.0; CSR = 4.3) compared to set losing players, both in pressure training and competition matches. In addition, irrespective of the set outcome, these players achieved more winners and generated more forced errors with the smash, bandeja, forehand volley, and backhand volley. Nevertheless, a significant number of errors (both forced and unforced) are committed with the bandeja and volley (forehand and backhand). Furthermore, notable errors (forced and unforced) are observed in shots following one bounce and without a wall rebound, particularly in the forehand, backhand, and return. In conclusion, the ability to produce winners while minimizing forced and unforced errors proves to be crucial for securing sets in high-level men’s padel.

Pre and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence and their relationship with technical-tactical performance in high-level men's padel players.

This study aimed to analyze the variations in pre- and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence considering match outcomes, the performance according to the result and the correlation among performance and psychological variables. The sample consisted on 12 matches in which 11 high-level padel players from Finland (top 24) voluntarily participated. CSAI-2R and STAI-S were used to assess psychological variables and technical-tactical performance was evaluated by a certified padel coach. Losing players presented higher cognitive (p = .004), somatic (p = .020) and state (p = .001) anxiety and lower selfconfidence (p = .014), and winning players showed higher state anxiety (p = .022), after than before the matches. Post-match, winning players exhibited higher self-confidence (p = .015) than losing players. Winning players made more winners (p = .010) than losing players. There are direct correlations between unforced errors and post-state anxiety (p = .015), unforced errors and state anxiety (p = .009) and winners and cognitive anxiety (p = .033), in winning players; between generators of forced error and post-cognitive anxiety (p = .034), forced errors and cognitive anxiety in losing players (p = .001). There are indirect correlations between forced errors and pre-cognitive anxiety (p = .009), winners and somatic anxiety (p = .046), unforced errors and state anxiety (p = .042) in losing players. The outcomes imply the need for intervention programs to equip players, especially those facing defeat, with tools for anxiety management and self-confidence enhancement. Likewise, coaches are advised to incorporate exercises that promote the occurrence of winners.

Position and ranking influence in padel: somatic anxiety and self-confidence increase in competition for left-side and higher-ranked players when compared to pressure training.

This study aimed to analyze the differences in the precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence according to the side of play, the ranking and the match outcome, under different competitive scenarios, in high level men's padel players from Finland who trained under pressure prior to the competition. 10 men's padel players (28.60 (4.17) years old) from the highest category participated in the research. The CSAI-2R (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised) and STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State) questionnaires were used and descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed, including Mann-Whitney's U tests. The findings illuminate that, across the player spectrum, somatic anxiety and self-confidence levels are higher before competition compared to training matches. This trend holds true for left-side, higher-ranked and match winning players. Even lower-ranked players exhibit heightened self-confidence preceding competitions. These insights offer valuable considerations for players, coaches, and sports psychologists, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between pressure training, competition, and the athlete's psychological landscape.

Analysis of players’ stroke performance relevance in tennis matches

ABSTRACT In this study, we applied the stroke performance relevance (SPR) method to analyse the performance of players in 53 elite men’s singles matches at the 2018 and 2019 Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon championships. The SPR method assigns a distinct contribution value to each stroke, considering the stroke’s outcome and timing. The investigation scrutinised every stroke, analysing stroke technique, placement, and game action across three court surfaces to understand their impact on match outcomes. The results revealed that 1) serve technique is crucial in high-level men’s singles matches, especially on hard court and grass, while groundstrokes significantly influence match outcomes. Forehand groundstrokes, with notably higher SPR values than backhand groundstrokes, are more beneficial for winning players. 2) Court surfaces minimally impact stroke placements; deeper and closer-to-the-sideline shots yield better scores on all courts. 3) Neutral actions (both players use offensive techniques to strike the ball) show significant differentiation in match outcomes. For both players who won match and players who lost the match, negative SPR values for return and defence across different courts indicate a negative impact on match outcomes. 4) SPR is a new method to help coaches and players quantify stroke performance in matches.

Impact of Equation Choice on Resting Metabolic Rate Ratio in High-Level Men and Women Athletes

Objective To examine the impact of the RMR ratio cutoff point selected on the categorization of prevalence/absence of low energy availability among predictive equations in high-level athletes (n = 241 [99 women]; 52% competed at the World Championship and Olympic Games), and whether this categorization is influenced by sex and the predictive equation used. Methods We assessed RMR using indirect calorimetry, predicted the RMR using the equations proposed by Harris-Benedict, FAO/WHO/UNU, de Lorenzo, ten Haaf and Wejis, Wong, Jagim, Cunningham, and Freire, and computed the RMR ratio for each equation. Results We observed that the cumulative percentage of RMR ratio values increased at a faster rate using Jagim, ten Haaf and Wejis, and Cunningham equations compared to the other equations. At the 0.90 value (the most used cutoff point in literature), the Jagim equation categorized ≥ 50% of the athletes into “low energy availability”. No Sex × Equation × Sport interaction effect was observed (F = 0.10, p = 1.0). There was a significant main effect to Sex (F = 11.7, p < 0.001, ES = 0.05), Sport (F = 16.4, p < 0.001, ES = 0.01), and Equation (F = 64.1, p < 0.001, ES = 0.19). Wong and FAO/WHO/UNU equations yielded the largest errors (assessed vs. predicted RMR) in men and women, respectively. Conclusion The selected RMR ratio cutoff point influences the prevalence/absence of low energy availability characterization in high-level athletes and suggests that certain equations could bias its assessment.

Determinant factors of attack efficacy in high-level men’s volleyball

Determinant factors of attack efficacy in high-level men’s volleyball

Precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence during the 2023 Finnish Padel championship in high level men's players.

The aim of the current study was to assess precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence in high level men's padel players from Finland. Twenty eight men's padel players from the highest category participated in the research (87.5% of the target population). The CSAI-2R (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised) and STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State) questionnaires were used and descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed, including the Kruskal Wallis's H and Mann-Whitney's U tests. The results show that seeded players presented lower levels of cognitive anxiety (η2 = 0.111). Moreover, losers of first round presented more state anxiety than winners (η2 = 0.302). Before the first match, state anxiety was higher than prior to the second match (η2 = 0.148). Furthermore, lower ranked players of first round, compared to second, presented more state anxiety and somatic anxiety (η2 = 0.487 and η2 = 0.277, respectively). However, according to the results obtained, self-confidence was not affected by any of the variables analyzed (ranking, seed, result or round). These findings may be of great interest to players, coaches and sports psychologists, as they allow an enhanced comprehension of the player's level of anxiety and self-confidence.

Setting Decision Making in male high- level volleyball: a study from ecological theory and social network analysis perspective

The objective of the present study was to analyze and compare the setter's decision-making (DM) in the offensive construction of the side-out (attack from the reception) in high-level men's volleyball. The sample consisted of the analysis of 132 games of the Brazilian men's volleyball Super-League 2021/2022, with 22 games for each team. The results showed that the eigenvector values were higher for setting to position 3, central attacker next to the setter, simple block, and obtaining the attack point. In addition, the setter's DM was similar between teams, suggesting that the game strategies aim to provide subsidies for the setter to make the decisions according to the game context in a flexible way and generate benefits for the attackers about the number of blockers, being that under ideal conditions and due to the lifter's correct choices in distribution, central blockers avoid anticipating the setting, and this fact allows the conditions of a single block or double-broken blocks in most cases. As a practical application, setting for the central attacker in position 3 becomes an interesting option for point acquisition and is capable of influencing the number of blockers, as well as the optimal blocking condition. Another application would be for the central attacker to position themselves close to the setter, a strategy that would enable the use of the "pipe" attack in other areas of the court with lower defensive blocking power. Keywords: Expert Decision-Making; Performance Analysis; Team Sports; Action Choices; Constraints.

Inter-player Variability Within the Same Positional Status in High-level Men's Volleyball

In sports, there may be multiple players for the same positional status (e.g., in volleyball, there are two outside hitters, one near the setter and the other away from the setter), and there may be relevant differences within the same positional status. We analyzed inter-player variability within the same positional status in high-level men’s volleyball, through Social Network Analysis (through Gephi© 0.9.2 software). Attack actions of the outside hitters near (OHN) and away (OHA) from the setters were analyzed in ten matches from the 2019 Volleyball Nations League Finals (278 plays). Two Eigenvector Centrality networks were created. Results: (a) in side-out under non-ideal setting conditions, OHNs preferred the strong attack while OHAs alternated between the strong attack and the tip; (b) after a prior action, OHNs attacked via exploration of the block while OHAs preferred the tip; (c) after consecutive errors, OHNs play more in the opponent’s error; (d) after a previous defense action, OHNs preferred the strong attack and exploration of the block while OHAs preferred the strong attack; (e) in transition, OHNs were solicited under non-ideal setting conditions while OHAs were solicited in ideal and non-ideal conditions. Our findings demonstrate variability between players of the same team and having the same positional status. This allows coaches to understand the key differences of players with the same position, and thus better assign the sub-functions. Researchers should be cautious of aggregating data from players of different positional status, and even from players within the same positional status

Application of Improved K -Means Clustering Algorithm in Targeted Practice of College Volleyball Fitness Training Classification

The high-level men’s volleyball team in ordinary colleges and universities is an important place for the country to cultivate outstanding volleyball reserve talents. Especially under the background of “integration of sports and education,” the status of high-level men’s volleyball teams in ordinary colleges and universities in my country’s volleyball career has been further improved. In affirmation and attention, routine training is an important part of the work of high-level men’s volleyball teams in ordinary colleges and universities. Cultivating high-level and high-quality outstanding volleyball reserve talents is an important goal of high-level men’s volleyball teams in ordinary colleges and universities. The growth of high-level men’s volleyball players requires high quality. For training support, in order to improve the training quality of the men’s volleyball team at the general college level, it is necessary to evaluate the training quality of the existing high-level sports teams. In order to achieve “different from person to person” and “teaching according to aptitude” college students’ volleyball training behavior prediction and guidance content recommendation, and to achieve a classification promotion strategy, this research uses the K -means clustering algorithm and PCA-GS-SVM algorithm to train college students’ volleyball training, adhering to behavior. The data classifier has high training efficiency, and the accuracy rate is higher than 87% in both the training set and the test set, which can meet the application requirements of college students’ volleyball training adhere to the classification and promotion strategy of behavior information platform and effectively support the practical application of the model. The volleyball training adherence behaviors are divided into eight categories, and specific classification promotion strategies are formulated according to the characteristics of different categories of behaviors.

Whole purple grape juice increases nitric oxide production after training session in high level beach handball athletes.

Aims to evaluate the effect of whole purple grape juice intake in the recovery of oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle injury after an intense training session. Fifteen high level men athletes were randomly distributed in supplemented (GJG; n=8; 28.7 ± 3.5 years) or control group (CG; n=7; 24.8 ± 2.7 years). 400 ml of juice or water was ingested immediately before (200 ml) and after (200 ml) a training session. Blood samples was collect before and post-training session as well as 180 minutes after this session (recovery) to analysis of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive ultrasensitive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite. The nitrite values at the end of recovery moment of the GJG group were significantly higher than the same moment in the CG group (p<0.05), and the intra-group analysis showed a significant increase in nitrite values only in the GJG group in the end of recovery period moment when compared to the moments pre-training (p<0.001) and post-training (p<0.05). MDA, CRP, LDH and CK did not differ neither groups. Acute supplementation with 400 ml of grape juice increases the serum concentration of nitrite, a nitric oxide metabolite that has antioxidant activity.

Using social network analysis to assess play efficacy according to game patterns: a game-centred approach in high-level men’s volleyball

ABSTRACTMatch Analysis has provided valuable insights for understanding performance. Social Network Analysis has delivered powerful contributions, especially with its most recent game-centred approaches, coupled with the weighting of direct and indirect connections between game actions. The goal was to expand upon these applications, analysing whether different networks associate with distinct levels of play efficacy applied to high-level men’s volleyball. Eigenvector Centrality was used, and one network was created for each level of play efficacy: 0 (error), 1 (continuity) and 2 (scoring a point). The sample was composed by 1,618 game actions (9 matches from the 2015 World League Finals) of six functional game complexes (i.e. K0 to KV). Results showed similar networks for all efficacy levels, suggesting that game patterns may not be as relevant for discriminating efficacy as individual actions, and/or that the chosen variables were not sensitive enough to differentiate system dynamics. Overall, actions performed under non-ideal conditions were most central in almost all game complexes, which suggests that playing off-system is the rule instead of the exception. It is therefore important to promote tasks that stimulate playing under non-ideal conditions and expose the attackers to stressful conditions (e.g. cohesive blocks), potentially providing transfer from training to competing.

The need for weighting indirect connections between game variables: Social Network Analysis and eigenvector centrality applied to high-level men’s volleyball

ABSTRACTPerformance analysis in volleyball has seldom analysed the interrelationships of game actions under the systemic view of distinct game complexes, and how different patterns of game flow emerge. In this study, we used Social Network Analysis with eigenvector centrality to weight direct and indirect relationships between game actions and to assess the similarities and differences between six game complexes in high-level men’s volleyball. The study sample comprised 10 matches of the final phase of the 2015 World League (1600 game actions). Results indicated that dividing the game into six complexes and analysing game actions as nodes offers a more detailed understanding of the game and highlights the distinct constraints that typify each game complex. Specifically, the use of eigenvector centrality afforded a more accurate weighting of the variables for each complex. Because off-system situations were predominant in several game complexes, i.e.: Setting Condition C in Complex I (0.36), Complex II (0.55), Complex III (0.80) and Complex V (0.58); Attack Zone 4 and 2 in Complex I (0.30 and 0.28), Complex II (0.48 and 0.51), Complex IV (0.55 and 0.48) and Complex V (0.37 and 0.36); and Attack Tempo 3 in Complex I (0.33), Complex II (0.55) and Complex III (0.66). Our results suggest that coaches should prioritise these situations in training.

What are the Most Widely used and Effective Attack Coverage Systems in Men's Volleyball?

In volleyball, attack coverage is one of the play actions most neglected in coaching and research. The purpose of this study was to find out which attack coverage systems are used by high-level men’s teams in different game situations and the characteristics of the most effective systems. We analysed 15 matches from the 2010 Men’s Pan-American Volleyball Cup, with a total of 1,415 coverage actions. Chi-square tests for independence, adjusted residuals analysis and calculations of standardised mean difference were performed. The results show that high-level men’s volleyball uses many coverage systems other than the traditional 3-2-0 and 2-3-0. At this level of play, the most frequent systems were 1-3-1 and 1-2-2, which occurred significantly often at the culmination of a third-tempo attack at the wing. The most effective systems consisted of three coverage lines, with fewer than five players covering the spiker and at least one player in the first coverage line, in both the attack and counterattack phases. Given the large number of coverage systems identified in different game situations, we recommend flexible, loosely structured training in these systems, based on a set of guiding principles that all players on a team must internalise for the specific position they are playing. Regarding the systems’ efficacy, the main watchword is that on each coverage line there should always be at least one player, but the first line should not be exposed.

Data benchmarking through a longitudinal study in high-level men’s volleyball

ABSTRACTA benchmark is a reference point for comparisons established from the value of a performance indicator. In order to create benchmarks for volleyball, we used performance data from each team of the Greek Volley League from the season 2005–2006 until the season 2016–2017 (N = 143). We considered the effectiveness of 14 parameters from five skills: serve, attack after passing, attack after defence, block and pass. The results showed that high-level teams of the Greek championship, which finished in positions 1–4, had as benchmarks: (a) in serve, two aces every five serve errors, while teams 9–12 had two aces every six errors, (b) in attack after passing one error or one passive block every four kills, while teams 9–12 had one every five kills, (c) in attack after defence one error or one passive block every three kills versus every two kills for 9–12 and (d) one error every nine passes on the target against every seven passes for 9–12. Overall, the results of this study indicate that success in volleyball can be explained with skill performance indicators, expressed as the ratio of successful to unsuccessful attempts, or with a ratio of successful attempts per set, in case of block skill.

Is There an Optimal Speed for Economical Running?

The influence of running speed and sex on running economy is unclear and may have been confounded by measurements of oxygen cost that do not account for known differences in substrate metabolism, across a limited range of speeds, and differences in performance standard. Therefore, this study assessed the energy cost of running over a wide range of speeds in high-level and recreational runners to investigate the effect of speed (in absolute and relative terms) and sex (men vs women of equivalent performance standard) on running economy. To determine the energy cost (kcal · kg-1 · km-1) of submaximal running, speed at lactate turn point (sLTP), and maximal rate of oxygen uptake, 92 healthy runners (high-level men, n = 14; high-level women, n = 10; recreational men, n = 35; recreational women, n = 33) completed a discontinuous incremental treadmill test. There were no sex-specific differences in the energy cost of running for the recreational or high-level runners when compared at absolute or relative running speeds (P > .05). The absolute and relative speed-energy cost relationships for the high-level runners demonstrated a curvilinear U shape with a nadir reflecting the most economical speed at 13km/h or 70% sLTP. The high-level runners were more economical than the recreational runners at all absolute and relative running speeds (P < .05). These findings demonstrate that there is an optimal speed for economical running, there is no sex-specific difference, and high-level endurance runners exhibit better running economy than recreational endurance runners.

Brazilian high-level men’s volleyball

The present study aimed to characterize and differentiate between the predictive factors of the attacks performed by the opposite player from positions 1 and 2. The sample consisted of the observation records of 142 volleyball games of the Brazilian Men’s Super-League season 2014/2015, totaling 8,010 actions of reception, setting and attack, with 5,965 actions from position 2 and 2,045 from position 1. The analysis of the predictive factors of the opposite player’s attack, according to the position of the attack, showed that the attacks from position 2 are more likely to occur after reception B (OR:1.317), in either diagonal (OR:1.302) or parallel (OR: 1.548), and to result in blocking of the attack (OR:1.496). On the other hand, attacks performed from position 1 are more likely to occur after receiving A (OR:0.458) resulting in a point (OR:0.709). Thus, situational constraints influenced the predictive factors of the opposite player’s attack, according to the attacking position

Do height and weight play an important role in block and attack efficiency in high-level men's volleyball?

The research objective was to study the relationships of players’ efficiency in attack and block with their anthropometric characteristics. Data on men’s weight and height and their proficiency in the game were used. The subjects were the members of the Estonian, Italian, French and Croatian national volleyball teams who participated in Pool B of the European Championship. Data are given on men’s height, weight, age, total number of spikes, attack errors, attacks won, efficiency of attack, total number of blocks, block errors, blocks won, and efficiency of block. In addition, the number of points won by men and their positions in the game are given. Minimums, maximums, standard deviations and means were calculated. To find correlations, Pearson’s correlation analysis (p&lt;0.05) was used. In our study, taller and heavier players proved to be more efficient at attack. Comparison of positions showed that middle blockers were taller and performed more blocks, setters were shorter and performed the least of attacks, and outside attackers and opposite attackers were of medium height and carried the greatest load of attack. As a conclusion, it was found that, in professional volleyball, height correlated with the efficiency of attack (r= 0.534; p&lt;0.05), and weight also correlated with the efficiency of attack (r= 0.518; p&lt;0.05). There was no correlation between the anthropometric characteristics and block in volleyball at the professional level in our study. In volleyball, the greatest load at attack is carried by outside attackers and opposite attackers, while middle blockers have the greatest load at block. Setters perform the smallest number of attacks.

Predicting Factors of Zone 4 Attack in Volleyball.

This study examined 142 volleyball games of the Men's Super League 2014/2015 seasons in Brazil from which we analyzed 24-26 games of each participating team, identifying 5,267 Zone 4 attacks for further analysis. Within these Zone 4 attacks, we analyzed the association between the effect of the attack carried out and the separate effects of serve reception, tempo and type of attack. We found that the reception, tempo of attack, second tempo of attack, and power of diagonal attack were predictors of the attack effect in Zone 4. Moreover, placed attacks showed a tendency to not yield a score. In conclusion, winning points in high-level men's volleyball requires excellent receptions, a fast attack tempo and powerfully executed of attacks.

Differences in the success of the attack between outside and opposite hitters in high level men’s volleyball

This work was supported by the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry (DEP2011-27503) and carried out in the framework of a predoctoral scholarship (FPU14/02234) by the Spanish Education, Science and Sport Ministry.