Italian Volleyball Research Articles

Acute effects of a dynamic stretching and core stability exercise protocol on physical performance in U-16 volleyball players

Purpose: Stretching and core exercises are is often used in different sports to develop higher sport performance and reduce injury risks. In acute, dynamic stretching (DS) seems to produce more benefits than static for improving physical performance. Moreover, sports tasks characterized by explosive and multi joints movement, such as wall jumping or dunking and serving in volleyball, also require core stabilization. Therefore, the aim of present study was to evaluate a potential postactivation potentiation enhancement (PAPE) effect induced by a functional exercise protocol including dynamic stretching and stimulation of core stability (StretCor) on physical performance in a group of U-16 volleyball players. Methods: Eighteen young volleyball players (9 boys and 9 girls; age: 15.33± .68 y; BMI: 22.12±2.25 kg.m-2) participating in the regional championship were recruited by Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) – Campania Committee. The StretCor protocol consisted in eight exercises, performed with ball, combining both DS and Core Stability (CS) exercises that stimulates the main muscles group. Before and after exercise protocol, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), modified Stars Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and agility T-test performances were assessed in all participants. Results: After StretCor protocol, there were improvements (P< .05) in agility T-test (10.48±1.01 vs 10.70±1.09 s), jump height (31.81±5.36 vs 29.75±5.73 cm) and relative peak power (51.53±9.77 vs 46.04±6.21 W/kg). Moreover, in mSEBT, left normalized Anterior (left ANT) (71.29±7.59 vs 66.84±7.19 %), Posteromedial direction (left PM) (105.63±8.80 vs 98.28±12.82 %), Posterolateral (left PL) directions (106.15±9.95 vs 98.47±13.06 %) and in right normalized Posterolateral direction (right PL) (103.90±10.65 vs 98.14±12.95 %) were improved after StretCor protocol; in addition, improvement were also observed in left (94.36±6.61 vs 87.87±9.88 %) and right (92.85±7.03 vs 88.47±10.22 %) composite (COMP) score. Conclusions: The present study suggests that an acute session of StretCor protocol, improved lower limb muscle power, dynamic balance and agility in U-16 volleyball players. We suggest including these types of exercises as a CA to produce a PAPE effect in the warm-up phase of volleyball training for improve the physical performance.

Stochastic analysis of the Elo rating algorithm in round-robin tournaments

The Elo algorithm, renowned for its simplicity, is widely used for rating in sports tournaments and other applications. However, despite its widespread use, a detailed understanding of the convergence characteristics of the Elo algorithm is still lacking. Aiming to fill this gap, this paper presents a comprehensive (stochastic) analysis of the Elo algorithm, considering round-robin tournaments. Specifically, analytical expressions are derived describing the evolution of the skills and performance metrics. Then, taking into account the relationship between the behavior of the algorithm and the step-size value, which is a hyperparameter that can be controlled, design guidelines and discussions about the performance of the algorithm are provided. Experimental results are shown confirming the accuracy of the analysis and illustrating the applicability of the theoretical findings using real-world data obtained from SuperLega, the Italian volleyball league.

Evolution of Explosive Strength Data in Youth Volleyball Players Before and After Pandemic

Study purpose. This study aims to verify if there are significant differences and which type of correlation is between anthropometric and jumping ability variables by testing a group (elite) of Italian volleyball players (under 16), just after a month of training, applying a specific protocol.
 Materials and methods. In all subjects, the following anthropometric and jumping ability parameters were assessed: height, weight, body mass index, height with a stretched arm (Reach1) and height with two extended arms (Reach2). The jumping ability was measured with the Squat jump (SJ) and Run-Up (RU) test. All data on anthropometric and jumping ability parameters were presented as mean and standard deviation (Mean ± SD).
 Results. The results of the jumping ability parameters (Squat Jump and Run-Up) showed significant differences between treatment initial-final: Run-Up with p = 0.000 and Squat Jump with p = 0.001; and these showed a higher correlation, especially the variables linked to the ability to jump, evident differences compared to the initial period of treatment.
 Conclusions. In high-level youth volleyball, the anthropometric and jumping ability profile is directly linked to the evaluation and continuous monitoring of physical qualities, and jumping ability becomes an important aspect for the control of performance.

Analysis of Body Composition and Volleyball Performance in Athletes of the Italian Top League

Objectives: The assessment of body composition is crucial for identifying an individual’s characteristics critical to performance, evaluating the effects of training programs, managing weight strategies, and monitoring athletic health. Bioimpedance vector analysis is spreading as a method to obtain a qualitative assessment of body composition. In the present study we investigated the relationship between body composition of top-level female volleyball players and their performing data during the matches of the Italian First League Championship. Design: Observational. Method: Attackers from a volleyball team participating in the Italian 1st (Super Lega) division were monitored by bioelectric impedances performed before each match of the ON-season period and results were related to individual performance data provided for each match by the Italian Volleyball League. Results: The height of the players was confirmed as a fundamental parameter, it was related to blocked attacks, to service errors, and to attack efficiency. The athletes’ body mass showed a performance influence, too. It was correlated to blocked attacks and to the attack efficiency. The FM was correlated to the blocked attacks and with the invasion blocks. The total body water percentage was negatively related to blocks invasion. Conclusion: Any anthropometric and bioimpedance vector analysis data seems to influence the athlete’s performance during competitive matches.

Bioimpedance Vector Analysis of Elite, Subelite, and Low-Level Male Volleyball Players.

To establish a specific player profile on body-composition parameters and to provide a data set of bioelectric impedances values for male volleyball players. The study included 201 athletes (age 26.1 [5.4]y, height 191.9 [9.7]cm, weight 86.8 [10.8]kg) registered in the Italian volleyball divisions. The athletes were divided into 3 groups: The elite group comprised 75 players participating in the 1st (Super Lega) division, the subelite group included 65 athletes performing in the 2nd (Serie A2) division, and the low-level group included 61 players participating in the 3rd (Serie B) division. Bioelectric impedance, body weight, and height of the athletes were measured in the second half of the competitive season. In addition, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was performed. The elite group showed a greater amount of fat-free mass (FFM) and total body water (TBW) and a lower fat mass (FM) than the subelite group (P < .05). In addition, the elite players were taller and heavier and had a higher FFM, FM, TBW, and body cellular mass than the low-level athletes (P < .05). Finally, the mean impedance vectors of the elite group significantly differed from those measured in the normal population and in the other 2 groups (P < .05). This study provides an original data set of body-composition and bioelectric impedance reference values of elite male volleyball players. The results might be useful for interpretation of individual bioimpedance vectors and for defining target regions for volleyball players.

Scheduling the Italian National Volleyball Tournament

In this paper, we present our approach to sports scheduling, a process that led the Italian Volleyball League to adopt our calendar for the 2016–2017 and subsequent seasons. Sports scheduling is a hard combinatorial optimization problem whose solution requires modeling many different aspects of sports, some of which are unique to each sport or nation. The capability of producing a high-quality schedule is important for both balancing undesirable matches among teams and ensuring adequate coverage by television and other media. Through strong interaction with the Italian Volleyball League, we modeled and solved the problem to optimality using standard mathematical programming solvers. We also tested our solution using previous seasons’ tournaments to prove the capability of our model.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury profile in Italian Serie A1-A2 women's volleyball league.

The aim of this study was to assess how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures with subsequent surgery reconstruction impact on the professional career of A1-A2 Italian women's volleyball league players. Using an observational study with a retrospective case-series design for ACL ruptures, 125 teams with 1488 players were monitored. Subjects had to report level, role, injury modality, lower limb injured, laterality, period of the season and age. A total of 34 ACL ruptures were reported. Thirty-three (97%) were non-contact and 1 (3%) with contact. Twenty-one (61.7%) occurred in landing from a jump attack, 3 (8.8%) in landing from wall jump, 1 (3%) with apparent contact and 9 (26.5%) in other landing conditions. The most injured knee was the left limb (22, 64.7%) respect to the right limb (12, 35.3%). Fourteen (41.2%) ruptures occurred in spikers, 10 (29.4%) in middle blockers, 6 (17.6%) in setters, 3 (8.8%) in liberos and 1 (3%) in opposite hitters. Nine (26.5%) occurred in pre-season period, 16 (47%) in the first round, 4 (11.8%) in the second round, and 5 (14.7%) during play-off. The average age of the first ACL rupture was 23±3 years. We observed that female volleyball players of A1-A2 Italian volleyball league occurred mostly in a left non-contact ACL rupture during a landing condition and the spikers were the players most at risk. Therefore, it is desirable that coaches teach players variations of landing in order to avoid possible chronic overloading of ACL.

Performance indicators analysis at Brazilian and Italian women's volleyball leagues according to game location, game outcome, and set number.

This study was done to investigate the advantage of playing at home in elite women's volleyball leagues and the influence of performance indicators in the game score according to set number. The sample consisted of 240 games of the Brazilian Volleyball League (n = 132 games) and the Italian Volleyball League (n = 108 games) from the 2011-2012 season. The relationship of performance indicators (including serve, attack, block, and opponents' errors) with the game outcome (win or lose) was assessed. The results showed that there was a home advantage effect in women's volleyball leagues, with a higher prevalence of victory for the home teams in Brazilian and Italian leagues (58 and 56%, respectively). When related to the performance indicators and among the aspects that were most highly correlated with victory, the attack was the technical indicator that explained most of the results of volleyball games.

The serve in under 12-13 Italian volleyball team

The serve is the technical skill with which a rally of a game of volleyball begins, and it can be performed by underhand, by a high float or drive and by a high jump. At the request of the coaches of national youth teams, the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) has adopted the mandatory underhand serve only for Under-12 and under 13 championships in order to favor the continuity of the game movement and passes of the ball over the net, which would be compromised in the event of a volleyball athlete who is particularly good at high jump serves. Although the abutment from the bottom appears to be more easily learned, not having the characteristics of offensiveness, must be abandoned as soon as it is able to perform the services more insidious. The increase in strength up to 11 years is very low and no difference between the sexes , he observes a slight increase up to 15 years, then intervenes when the phase of maximum development that leads to the peak at age 18. In this period there is also a progressive differentiation between females and males with a surge in favor of males estimated at a strength of about 40% greater than that of peers. The aim of this preliminary study was to see if an experimental study can be implemented, preceded by a pilot study in order to verify the hypothesis for the accuracy of the mandatory rule for the Under-12 and Under-13.

Notational Analysis of the Volleyball Serve

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the serving techniques in male top level volleyball, especially the tactical and spatial behavior of the servers and receiving opponents focusing on the pros and cons of the different serving techniques. An analysis was made of 4552 serves from 28 matches played during the 2008-2009 regular season of the Italian volleyball male Top League. Serving techniques were categorized into Jump Serve (JS), Float Jump Serve (FJS) and Float Serve (FS), and for each serve several parameters were recorded: role of the server (Setter - S, Hitter - H, and Middle Blocker - MB), kind of serve (JS, FJS, FS), number of players defending the serve (Defense), difficulty in receiving the serve (RS), evaluation of serve outcome (EV), and defensive court zone where the ball was directed (FZ). The results confirmed the largest use of the JS (69.9%), followed by the FJS (26.9%) and the FS (3.3%). There were significant relationships between the serve technique, the EV, the Defense and the FZ where the serves were directed (Chi-Square p = 0.000). The zone absolutely most hit was the posterior/central, followed by the left/posteriors. There were significant differences in the RS difficulty for the JS respect to FJS (p = 0.001) and FS (p = 0.000) and also for the defensive strategies performed: a defense strategy with 2 defenders showed significant and better score during the reception respect to that with 3 (p = 0.000). No statistical relationship was found between the role of the server and other parameters. These results are consistent with previous studies in which JS showed to be the most powerful technique in terms of increasing defensive difficulties but, at the same time, with a fairly high percentage of errors. This issue must be taken into consideration in crucial phases of the game, and the serving techniques must be used strategically. JS can be very useful for increasing the defensive “conflict zones” with the aim to score a direct ace or to make the offensive maneuver difficult after reception. FJS can be useful when there is the need to aim a specific FZ and prepare the team for the next defense action. Scouting or match analysis procedure of the serving statistics should be performed during the game to better indicate the serve strategy to choose.

Italian Early Adolescent Females’ Intrinsic Motivation in Sport: An Explorative Study of Psychological and Sociorelational Correlates

Abstract Using self-determination theory (SDT), this study simultaneously investigated the relationships between intrinsic motivation, psychological factors (sport enjoyment, social self-efficacy), and sociorelational factors (perceived coaching behaviors) by subsequently testing whether psychological factors mediate the relationships between social-relational factors and intrinsic motivation. One hundred and twentyseven early adolescent females from several teams of the Italian Volleyball Society completed a self-report questionnaire. Results showed that female athletes’ intrinsic motivation was associated with a) sport enjoyment and b) perceived coaching behaviors (e.g., training and instruction, social support). Second, results showed that training-and-instruction coaches’ leadership style affected intrinsic motivation via the females’ enjoyment in sport. This study provided further insights into unknown associations among psychological, sociorelational factors and intrinsic motivation, highlighting the innovative role of sport enjoyment as a key factor for sustaining intrinsic motivation. Original and useful behavioral suggestions will be given to the coaches in order to sustain female athletes’ sport enjoyment and their intrinsic motivation.

Jumper's Knee: An Epidemiological Study of Volleyball Players

In brief: We studied 407 volleyball players to investigate the factors that cause patellar or quadriceps tendinitis (jumper's knee). Athletes from 30 teams in various divisions of the Italian Volleyball Federation championship were interviewed personally or by questionnaire. Factors investigated included age and sex, years of play, frequency of training sessions and games, type of playing surface, and type of training. The results showed that symptoms occurred most often among athletes playing five times a week or more and among those playing on hard surfaces, such as cement. Age, sex, years of play, and type of training were less significant factors.