Women's Volleyball Research Articles

Percentage of subcutaneous fatty tissue as an indicator of the physical status of volleyball players

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (skin folds) is a disruptive factor in many sports that overcome the force of gravity, including volleyball. In the field of volleyball, it is imperative to identify the anthropometric constitution, where the amount ofsubcutaneous adipose tissue plays a significant role. The study included 18 active players of the women's volleyball club Jahorina from Pale (BH=173±8.77cm;BW=66.04±9.09kg; BMI=22.03±2.19kg/m2, age=19.11±2.63), a member of thevolleyball Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the main goal to analyze and determine the percentage of adipose fat as an indicator of physical status. Yuhasz skinfold test (Biceps skinfold, Triceps skinfold, Subscapular skinfold, Suprailiac skinfold, Abdomen skinfold, Front thigh skinfold, Rear thigh skinfold) was applied to assess skin folds. Measurements were performed with a skin fat measuring instrument (Caliper GIMA-model Plicometro, Italy) in accordance with the ISAK protocol. Statistical data processing included central and dispersion parameters andPearson's correlation coefficients. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that 30% of significant ICC p<,05;p<0,01;p<0,001 were achieved. The percentage of skin folds of Jahorina volleyball players in body weight is 16.16% (12 kg), and body fat mass is 54.04 kg. Based on the obtained results, the amount of adipose tissue can be concluded that our sample is within the allowed values recommended for this population, and that amount is lower compared to previous research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24040/sjss.2021.7.1.64-74

Inter-player variability in game patterns in high-level women's volleyball: A study with Outside Hitters (Near vs. Away) using Social Network Analysis.

A wide body of research on team sports has focused on positional status based differences, providing information on inter-player variability according to the functional roles within the game. However, research addressing inter-player variability within the same positional/function status is scarce. The present article presents an analysis of inter-player variability within the same positional status during critical moments, in high-level women's volleyball, using Social Network Analysis. Attack actions of the outside hitters near (OHN) and away (OHA) from the setter were analysed in ten matches from the 2019 Volleyball Nations League Finals (268 plays). Two independent Eigenvector Centrality networks were created, one for OHN and another for OHA. Main results: (a) in side-out with ideal setting conditions, the OHA used more tips and exploration of the block than the OHN; under non-ideal setting conditions, the OHN had slower attack tempos than the OHA; (b) OHA used tip and directed attacks after error situations while OHN was typically not requested after error situations; (c) in transition, OHN typically attacked after having performed a previous action, performing a dual task within each ball possession, while OHA only attacked when there was no prior action; (d) there were also inter-positional similarities, with both OHN and OHA preferring a strong attack in ideal conditions during KI and KIV, and slower tempos in transition in non-ideal conditions. Conclusions: Even within the same positional status, there seems to be subtle, but relevant inter-player variability. Consequently, coaches should devote careful attention when assigning players to positional.

Epidemiology of Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Volleyball: 2014-2015 Through 2018-2019.

Women's volleyball is a globally popular sport with widespread participation at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. Routine examinations of NCAA women's volleyball injuries are important for recognizing emerging injury-related patterns in this population. Exposure and injury data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program during the 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 athletic years were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios were used to examine differences in injury rates. The overall injury rate was 6.73 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Knee (14.6%) and ankle (13.8%) injuries accounted for the largest proportion of all reported injuries, and most injuries were attributed to overuse (26.1%) or noncontact (22.7%) mechanisms. Lateral ankle ligament complex tears (11.1%) and concussions (7.3%) were the most commonly reported specific injury. Results indicate an increasing burden of practice-related injuries and the need to further examine overuse injuries. Lower-extremity injury prevention strategies and mechanisms of concussion also warrant further attention.

Assessing the anxiety level of a volleyball team

Modern sport activity implies a lot of stress and anxiety, factors that can limit the performance level of a sportive at any category. The study focused on highlighting the importance of assessing the level of anxiety of a volleyball team. The research took place in the season 2019-2020, between 01 September 2019 and 31 March 2020, at the women volleyball club ACS Alpha Sport Team from Sibiu, Romania. The sample of research was the mini volleyball representative of ACS Alpha Sport Team, composed by 15 volleyball players of female gender (n=15), with age between 8-11 years old (10.07±2.04 years old) with an experience of 1-2 years. The research method used was the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) that was used for assessing the anxiety level of the sportive before and after the competition, also the results of the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistic indicators. The research of our investigation showed that initial anxiety level evaluated at the initial testing in September 2019 (average 23.33) was considered high, the final evaluation of anxiety showed real improvement in the anxiety level (average of 17.33). The conclusions of the research highlighted the idea that using special training for psychological preparation, playing official games and also friendly games can improve the mental strength and also reduce the anxiety level.

Pengaruh Latihan Drill dan Berpasangan terhadap Ketepatan Passing Bawah pada Bola Voli Putri

This study aims to determine the effect of drill and pair drills on the accuracy of under passing in the Ananta Club Women's Volleyball, Semarang Regency, and which exercise is more influential. The research method used is the accurate experimental method using a two groups pretest-posttest design. Sampling using a purposive side technique with the selection provisions, namely female, has been practicing at the Ananta club for at least one year, active and routinely exercising, has received down-passing material. The results showed that experiment I (drill group) with an average pretest score of 27.33 and an average posttest score of 32.50 with an average increase of 5.17. Experiment II (paired group) with an average pretest value of 28.33 and an average posttest value of 36.33 with an average increase of 8. The conclusion is that there is an effect of drill and pair training but paired training has more impact on the passing down in athletes women's volleyball club Ananta Semarang Regency.
 Keywords: Volleyball, Pair Practice, Drill Practice, Bottom Passing

Level of Physical Condition of Women's Volleyball Athlete at BPC Club

The problem in this research is that the athletes have not had a good physical condition. The low performance of athletes has decreased from year to year. The aim of the study was to see how the Physical Condition Level of Women's Volleyball Athletes at the BPC Tanah Datar Regency club. This type of research is quantitative using descriptive methods. The population in the study amounted to 16 people. The sampling technique used purposive sampling, thus the number of samples in the study were 12 female volleyball athletes at the BPC club Tanah Datar Regency. The data analysis technique is a percentage. Research result ; (1) The aerobic endurance in the category is sufficient with an average of 23.3 ml / kg.bb / m or about 41.67%, (2) the explosive power of the arm muscles in the less category with an average of 5.5 m or about 25%, (3) The explosive power of the leg muscles that is currently owned is in the low category with an average of 63 kg-m / second or about 33.33%, (4) the agility possessed is classified as in the medium category with an average of 9 seconds or about 25%, (5) The flexibility of the waist that is owned is classified in the less category with an average of 12.08 cm or about 33.33%, thus it can be concluded that the physical condition of women's volleyball athletes is good from indicators, power endurance, leg muscle explosive power, arm muscle explosive power, agility, and flexibility, are still in the low category and need to be improved to be higher.

KINEMATIC DIFFERENCES IN LEFT-RIGHT SIDE IN BLOCKING AMONG COLLEGE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS IN JAPAN

In recent years, the attacking tactics of top-level teams have been dominated by a combination of four attackers. The basic approach to defending against this move is to block in the direction of the toss (Read Block System). This study compares and examines the difference between the left and right sides of the crossover step of women's volleyball players using the read block system. Fifteen Japanese college women's volleyball players (age: 20.1±1.1 years, height: 169.3±5.5 cm) were eligible for the study. A time-synchronized 16 camera Mac3D optical motion capture systems (Motion Analysis Co.) and 10 force plates (Tec Gihan Co.) were used to determine three dimensional (3-D) coordinates of 38 retroreflective markers. The players were told that the toss from the setter would go up randomly in one of the left or right direction, and they were asked to block in response to the toss from the centre of the net. The results showed that the performance of the jump height (p = 0.04, d =0.50), maximum block reach (p = 0.01, d =0.51), and motion time (p =0.02, d =0.75) was better than the left, and the effect size was large. Since most of the subjects in this study were right-handed (two of the Opposites were left-handed), it is assumed that they tended to perform better on the left side, which is a block stepping similar to spike stepping. However, some players may not use the spiking hand, so individualized instruction is required.

Coexistence of Distinct Performance Models in High-Level Women's Volleyball.

In performance analysis, and most notably in match analysis, generalizing game patterns in a sport or competition may result in formulating generic models and neglecting relevant variability in benefit of average or central values. Here, we aimed to understand how different game models can coexist at the same competitive level using social network analysis with degree centrality to obtain systemic mappings for six volleyball matches, one for each of the six national teams playing in the 2014 World Grand Prix Finals, guaranteeing a homogeneous game level and balanced matches. Although the sample was not recent, this was not relevant for our purposes, since we aimed to merely expose a proof of concept. A total of 56 sets and 7,176 ball possessions were analysed through Gephi Software, considering game actions as nodes and the interaction between them as edges. Results supported the coexistence of different performance models at the highest levels of practice, with each of the six teams presenting a very distinct game model. For example, important differences in eigenvector centrality in attack zones (ranging from 0 to 34) and tempos (20 to 38) were found between the six teams, as well as in defensive lines (20 to 39) and block opposition (22 to 37). This further suggests that there may be multiple pathways towards expert performance within any given sport, inviting a re-conceptualization of monolithic talent identification, detection and selection models. Future studies could benefit from standardizing the metrics in function of the number of ball possessions.

Towards a More Efficient Training Process in High-Level Female Volleyball From a Match Analysis Intervention Program Based on the Constraint-Led Approach: The Voice of the Players.

The aim of the research was to know the perception of high-level volleyball players of the changes produced (in relation to the previous season) in the efficiency of the training process, after a match analysis intervention program based on the Constraint-led Approach (CLA). The sample consisted of 11 players from a women's volleyball team. The protocol of the intervention program consisted of providing objective, contextualised and systematic information to the coach (adapted to his needs) that would allow understanding the different real game contexts. We used semi-structured interviews to assess players' perceptions. The athletes perceived changes in training, both in their preparation and development, specifically in greater involvement and organisation in preparing the training; in an increase in the specificity and suitability of training tasks according to individual needs; in the representativeness of the restrictions of the game; in a more tactical approach; in the variability of task and in the accountability to achieve the objective proposed. In addition, in the preparation and development for competition, the players detected more game planning; a deeper analysis of the opponents; an objective selection of the most relevant data, an increase in the depth of match analysis and the inclusion of the weekly meeting with the use of video compared to the previous season. These results expose the benefits of coaches incorporate programmes to obtain objective information about the game in their training process.

Clinical Recovery Timelines After Sport-Related Concussion in Men's and Women's Collegiate Sports.

Researchers have identified sex differences in sport-related concussion incidence and recovery time; however, few have examined sex differences in specific recovery trajectories: time to symptom resolution, return to academics, and return to athletic activity across collegiate sports. To examine sex differences in sport-related concussion recovery trajectories across a number of club and varsity sports with different levels of contact. Descriptive epidemiology study. Collegiate varsity and club sports. Sport-related concussions sustained by student-athletes (n = 1974; women = 38.8%) participating in Ivy League sports were monitored between 2013-2014 and 2018-2019. Athletic trainers collected concussive injury and recovery characteristics as part of the Ivy League-Big Ten Epidemiology of Concussion Study's surveillance system. Time to symptom resolution, return to academics, and return to limited and full sport participation were collected. Survival analyses determined the time from injury to each recovery outcome for male and female athletes by sport. Peto tests were used to compare recovery outcomes between men's and women's sports and by sport. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) was 9 days (IQR = 4-18 days) for time to symptom resolution overall, 8 days (IQR = 3-15 days) for return to academics, 12 days (IQR = 8-23 days) for return to limited sport participation, and 16 days (IQR = 10-29 days) for return to full sport participation. We observed differences overall between sexes for median time to symptom resolution (men = 8 days [IQR = 4-17 days], women = 9 days [IQR = 5-20 days]; P = .03) and return to academics (men = 7 days [IQR = 3-14 days], women = 9 days [IQR = 4-17 days]; P < .001) but not for median time to return to athletics (limited sport participation: P = .12, full sport participation: P = .58). Within-sport comparisons showed that women's lacrosse athletes had longer symptom resolution (P = .03) and return to academics (P = .04) compared with men's lacrosse athletes, whereas men's volleyball athletes took longer to return to limited (P = .02) and full (P = .049) sport participation than women's volleyball athletes. Recovery timelines between sexes were different. Athletes in women's sports experienced longer symptom durations and time to return to academics compared with men's sports, but athletes in men's and women's sports presented similar timelines for return to athletics.

Kinematic differences in left-right side in blocking among college women's volleyball players in Japan

In recent years, the attacking tactics of top-level teams have been dominated by a combination of four attackers. The basic approach to defending against this move is to block in the direction of the toss (Read Block System). This study compares and examines the difference between the left and right sides of the crossover step of women's volleyball players using the read block system. Fifteen Japanese college women's volleyball players (age: 20.1 ± 1.1 years, height: 169.3 ± 5.5 cm) were eligible for the study. A time-synchronized 16 camera Mac3D optical motion capture systems (Motion Analysis Co.) and 10 force plates (Tec Gihan Co.) were used to determine three dimensional (3-D) coordinates of 38 retroreflective markers. The players were told that the toss from the setter would go up randomly in one of the left or right direction, and they were asked to block in response to the toss from the centre of the net. The results showed that the performance of the jump height (p = 0.04, d = 0.50), maximum block reach (p = 0.01, d = 0.51), and motion time (p = 0.02, d = 0.75) was better than the left, and the effect size was large. Since most of the subjects in this study were right-handed (two of the Opposites were left-handed), it is assumed that they tended to perform better on the left side, which is a block stepping similar to spike stepping. However, some players may not use the spiking hand, so individualized instruction is required.

Spectators' Worries and Attitudes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case of a Women's Volleyball Match in Japan

The purpose of this study is to explore spectators' worries and attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare them by age group. The survey was conducted with spectators at a home match for Victorina Himeji, a professional women's volleyball club in Japan. Two hundred and seventeen spectators rated their worries about becoming infected with COVID-19 after being in the arena as well as their attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results reveal that spectators visiting the arena had significant levels of worry related to the attendees (e.g., “Gathering crowds of people in the arena” and “Possibility that someone in the arena is infected with COVID-19”). Furthermore, younger people were more worried about COVID-19 infection than other age groups, although no significant difference in attitudes appeared among the age groups. The findings of this study suggest the importance of practicing social distancing in the arena as well as measuring spectators' body temperature before they enter the arena. Furthermore, sport event organizers may need to implement the strategy of infection prevention based on spectators' age groups and other personal attributes.

Turning Point and Difficulty in Women's Volleyball Using Decision Tree Analysis and Item Response Theory

Turning Point and Difficulty in Women's Volleyball Using Decision Tree Analysis and Item Response Theory

A Study on Dig Performance in University Women's Volleyball

A Study on Dig Performance in University Women's Volleyball

Analysis of service efficiency indices for the Romanian Division A1 women's volleyball teams in the 2019-2020 season

Analysis of service efficiency indices for the Romanian Division A1 women's volleyball teams in the 2019-2020 season

Efficacy of an Educational Intervention for Improving the Hydration Status of Female Collegiate Indoor-Sport Athletes.

Research focusing on improving hydration status and knowledge in female indoor-sport athletes is limited. Investigators have demonstrated that hydration education is an optimal tool for improving the hydration status of athletes. To assess the hydration status and fluid intake of collegiate female indoor-sport athletes before and after a 1-time educational intervention. Controlled laboratory study. Collegiate women's volleyball and basketball practices. A total of 25 female collegiate volleyball and basketball athletes (age = 21 ± 1 years, height = 173.5 ± 8.7 cm, weight = 72.1 ± 10.0 kg) were assessed during 6 days of practices. Participants' hydration status and habits were monitored for 3 practice days before they underwent a hydration educational intervention. Postintervention, participants were observed for 3 more practice days. Change in body mass, fluid consumed, urine specific gravity (Usg), urine color (Ucol), and sweat rate were recorded for 6 practice days. Participants completed a hydration-knowledge questionnaire before and after the intervention. Three-day mean Usg and Ucol were considered euhydrated prepractice (Usg = 1.015 ± 0.006, Ucol = 4 ± 1) and remained euhydrated postpractice (Usg = 1.019 ± 0.005, Ucol = 5 ± 2) during the preintervention period. Decreased prepractice Ucol (P < .01) and increased hydration knowledge (P < .01) were present postintervention. Basketball athletes had greater body mass losses from prepractice to postpractice than did volleyball athletes (P < .001). Overall increases were evident when we compared prepractice and postpractice measures of Usg and Ucol in the preintervention (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively) and postintervention (P = .001 and P < .001) period, respectively. No correlation was found between hydration knowledge and physiological indices of hydration and fluid intake. Overall, female collegiate indoor-sport athletes were hydrated and knowledgeable on hydration. However, our variable findings indicated that further research on these athletes is needed; clinically, attention should be given to the individual needs of each athlete. More examination will demonstrate whether a 1-time educational intervention may be an effective tool for improving hydration status in this population.

The effect of using EMS electrical stimulation on some kinematic variables of the floater serve in volleyball

The importance of this study lies in knowing the development of the basic muscles in the performance of the arm by using electrical stimulation and its effect on technical performance, and to infer it through biochemical variables, which are reflected in realistic training and what is the extent of its value and its impact on the achievment of volleyball females players from the category of advancers. The study aimed to know : &#x0D; -values of some biomechanical variables for the skill of the floater serve in the women's volleyball . &#x0D; - the extent and effectiveness of the effect of using an EMS device on the arm muscles , its development and its reflection on the performance movement of the serve through the kinematic variables and the differences between the pre and post tests. &#x0D; The descriptive approach was used by using the pre and post kinematic analysis. The research sample consisted of females players of the Qaraqosh Sports Club, who were 6 from the category of advancers. The researchers used the EMS device for the arm leading to the serve after imaging and analysis in the pre-test to extract the variables (shoulder angle at the moment of hitting the ball , maximum height of the ball at the moment of hitting the ball , ball launch velocity , ball launch angle, angular distance , time of movement, angular velocity) After completing the electrical stimulation program and sessions, over a period of five weeks, the same variables were analyzed in a post-test. &#x0D; The most important conclusions of the study were - that the use of electrical stimulation EMS helped in the development of the ball’s launch velocity - there were statistical differences in the arithmetic averages in the variables of the angular velocity and the angular distance between the two pre and post tests as a result of the effect of electrical stimulation, which achieved even partially the goal of the research according to the kinematic view

Peculiarities of technical and tactical actions of female volleyball players of different playing roles of VK “Muroy”

The aim is to study the peculiarities of technical and tactical actions of volleyball players of various playing roles of the VK "Murov" team. Material and Methods: The study involved 14 players of various playing roles, playing in the women's volleyball team "Murov" (Azerbaijan). All volleyball players have a high level of fitness and have participated in competitions of various levels. The age range of female volleyball players ranges from 18 years old (libero) to 28 years old (binder). The most experienced in the team are the tie players (26 years old) and the least the libero (19 years old). Study duration: December 2019 February 2020. In the course of the study, the following methods were used: analysis of video recordings of the games of the women's volleyball team "Murov", which were recorded during the Azerbaijan championship competitions of the 2019-2020 season; methods for assessing technical and tactical actions during competitive activity; methods of mathematical statistics. Results. It has been experimentally proved that the level of technical and tactical readiness of high-class volleyball players significantly differs depending on the playing role. The largest number of attacking strikes falls on the diagonal players (20-25 strikes per game), and the efficiency of their execution is better for the central blockers (60-75%). Identical data were obtained when comparing the quantity and quality of blocking actions. The center blockers make 17 blocks on average, and the diagonal ones make 15 blocks. A significant advantage in receiving the ball is observed in the libero (from 37 to 40 receptions per game). The effectiveness and number of feeds depends on the complexity of their implementation. The largest total number of TTDs (about 78 actions) and the number of transfers from above (about 50 transfers) falls on the main conductor of the team of the connecting player. Conclusions: the role of universal training of female volleyball players is more and more important, and the determination of the features of competitive activity and the development of the necessary arsenal of technical and tactical actions of players of all playing roles is the leading direction in modern volleyball. However, the question of improving the training system in volleyball and the problem of early selection of female volleyball players, as well as the universalization of their TTD to perform the most useful functions during the game, remains unresolved. All the above is a prospect for further research.

Psycho-Social Attributes of Male Volleyball Players in Kenya

Socialization into sport revolves around initial entry, continued participation and seeking excellence. Kenyan women volleyball players have returned significant successes at regional and continental competitions.However their success is not comparable to men teams which are yet to set any accolades at regional and continental level. The purpose of this study was to investigate pyscho-social attributes of Kenya male volleyball players who took part Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league in 2015.The attributes investigated involved family background factors, reasons for specialization and motivesforcontinued participation.Data was collected through self-reported questionnaires from (n=71) participants and was analyzed for frequencies and percentages. Results indicated majority of 38.5% had experiences of one to three years, majority of them (over 50%) came from lower and middle class backgrounds, reasons for specialization were; talent, enjoyment and social interactionswhilethe motives for continued participation were talent , desire to win and success in volleyball . It is concluded that male volleyball players entry into volleyball and their continued participation is buttressed in intrinsic motives. Consequently, coaches and team managers need to take stock of these drivers of seeking excellence in volleyball. Future studies need to be conducted to unearth the relationship between socio-psychological factors and technical and tactical shortfalls of the men volleyball players in Kenya. Keywords : Volleyball, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), Social Economic Status (SES) DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/50-06 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

A Study on the Bidirectional Drive between the Chinese Women Volleyball Team’s New Developing Trends of Competitive Level and New Models of Physical Fitness Training—Women Volleyball’ s Competition Results in the Recent Four Olympic Games as an Example

With methods of the literature researches, mathematical statistics and logical analysis, a comparative study is carried out to analyze the important competition data of the recent four Olympic Games (from the 28th to the 31st) which Chinese women’s volleyball team and other strong world women volleyball teams (Brazil, Russia, America and Cuba) once took part in. The study finds out that the new developing trend of the world’s five strong women volleyball teams’ competitiveness shows mainly in the following two aspects: the training of the world women volleyball tending to be more masculine and the increasing proportion of serving points in the world women volleyball competitions. Meanwhile, it also verifies the three new models for the construction of Chinese women volleyball players’ physical fitness training: the athlete’s individual excellence to the sports team’s overall excellence; the understanding of the construction and deconstruction of volleyball technical models based on the tradition and innovation of volleyball tactics; the construction of the scientificalness of physical fitness training, according to the individuality of athletes, the characteristics of specific sports events and the comprehensiveness of sports events. In the end, it points out that the two-way complementary between the new developing trends of competitive level and the new model of physical fitness training Chinese women volleyball’s teams is the key to further enhance Chinese women’s volleyball team’s competitive level.