Youth Volleyball Research Articles

Assessing Resilience in Youth (U16) Volleyball National Teams

The objective of this study was to investigate the resilience of youth high level volleyball players. Forty-eight volleyball national team players U16 from Greece and Romania participated to the study (18 females and 30 males). The Self Evaluation Resilience test was used for the study. The data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0 using one-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni adjustment test. Results showed statistically significant differences between the males and females national team volleyball players in variables ‘‘healthy lifestyle’’ and ‘‘self-efficacy’’. It was concluded that coaches and volleyball players should recognize that female’s volleyball players focused more in healthy life style and having less self-efficacy comparing to same aged male’s volleyball players.

Exploring life skills transfer processes in youth hockey and volleyball

ABSTRACT Sport is often described as a vehicle for promoting positive outcomes among youth, including the adoption of life skills. However, limited research has examined the processes of life skills development and transfer within youth sport contexts. The purpose of this study was to explore the processes of life skills development and transfer in youth hockey and volleyball. Forty-seven youth athletes (M age = 14.4, SD = 1.74; 32 female) from 16 sport teams completed one semi-structured interview each during the last week of their sport seasons. Using the model for life skills transfer as a guiding framework, inductive-deductive thematic analysis revealed: (a) what skills youth implicitly developed (e.g., emotional regulation, independence) through sport participation and how such skills were acquired; and (b) how youth transferred skills in relation to other sports, the classroom, current or future jobs. Bi-directionality is discussed in regards to youth’s skill development and transfer processes and within the model for life skills transfer. Age and contextual differences were perceived as influencing skills learning and transfer within youth sport. Such transfer experiences were impacted by various contextual and underlying psychological processes. Further, while recognising transfer is a complex process, some youth found it challenging to identify concrete transfer opportunities. Practical implications and future research directions are outlined in relation to structuring the sport environment and associated activities to foster skill development and transfer.

Developing an Organizational Mission Statement in Youth Sport: Utilizing Mad Libs as a Novel, Shared Leadership Approach

Sport organizations often utilize mission statements as “road maps” to guide the design and delivery of sport to youth. In the present work, we utilized a novel technique and sought out the perspectives of multiple stakeholders to craft a mission statement for an elite youth volleyball club on the east coast of the United States. Prior to the competitive season, a subset of club administrators (n = 3) head coaches (n = 6), parents (n = 10), and athletes (n = 11) participated in Mad Libs, a phrasal word game in which individuals are asked to fill in missing words in a prescribed, written story template. Key mission-relevant words were left blank, and beneath each blank was a prompt such as “noun (what the club should provide)”, “verb (what the club should do)”, or “adjective (kind of partnerships the club should build).” Participants completed stories individually, and responses were synthesized using content analysis. We then crafted a three-sentence mission statement and shared it with club stakeholders at a preseason meeting. The mission statement was adopted by the club and guides the direction of the club and its members. Importantly, our work highlights a novel technique, informed by a range of stakeholder perceptions and experiences, that can be used to craft an organizational mission statement in elite youth sport.

Increasing tactical complexity to enhance the synchronisation of collective behaviours: An action-research study throughout a competitive volleyball season

ABSTRACT An Action-Research (AR) design was implemented throughout a competitive season in which Constraint-led and Step-Game approaches were combined. This intervention study investigated the impact of increased performance complexity on emergence of counterattacking synchronisation tendencies in team players (laterally and longitudinally on court) at different set moments. Fifteen youth volleyball team players were studied across three action-research cycles, with performance in one competitive match analysed per cycle. Team synchronisation tendencies were assessed using the cluster phase method, with a 3 (matches) x 2 (set moments) x 2 (court direction) repeated-measures ANOVA statistical procedure to calculate differences in cluster amplitude mean values. Results revealed a reduction in team synchrony levels when tactical complexity of counterattacking play increased (second AR-cycle). Nevertheless, similar levels of team synchrony emerged between the first and third AR-cycles. Results also revealed the final moments of a set as a significant environmental constraint that shaped synchronisation tendencies. Evidence suggested that the (re)achievement of functional synchrony was realised through integration of Constraint-led and Step-Game approaches during practices designed to enhance tactical awareness in players. Finally, an insider action-research design provided relevant contextualised insights on the development of a team’s synchronisation tendencies.

The Relative Age Effect and Talent Identification Factors in Youth Volleyball in Poland.

Previous studies in team sports have not reported evidence regarding the relative age effect (RAE) in relation to the talent identification (TI) process in volleyball, which is organized and controlled by a national federation. Volleyball is a non-contact team sport in which a player’s physique does not directly affect other players in the game but is considered one of the most critical factors in the TI process. The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the differences in the quarterly distribution of age between Polish youth volleyball players from the Olympic Hopes Tournament (OHT) and the general population, (2) to investigate the quarterly differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor test results in OHT participants, and (3) to identify the criteria that determine selection for the National Volleyball Development Program (NVDP). The present study identified the RAE in young male (n = 2,528) and female (n = 2,441) Polish volleyball players between 14 and 15 years of age who competed in the elite OHT in 2004–2015. The study included anthropometric characteristics, motor test results, and selection for the NVDP. The multivariate analysis of covariance demonstrated no significant main effect for birth quarter or calendar age in any of the OHT female players or in male players selected for the NVDP. In the group of non-selected NVDP male players, the analysis demonstrated significant differences by birth quarter as a covariate for body height (F = 0.01, p < 0.001), spike reach (F = 7.33, p < 0.05), and block jump (F = 0.02, p < 0.001). Significant differences by calendar age as a covariate were observed for body mass (F = 0.53, p < 0.01), spike jump (F = 2.64, p < 0.05), block jump (F = 0.4, p < 0.01), and zigzag agility test results (F = 0.01, p < 0.01). The results showed a significant overrepresentation of early-born participants in the OHT and NVDP subsamples. The classification model demonstrated that a combination of four characteristics optimally discriminated between players selected for the NVDP and those who were not selected. This combination of variables correctly classified 77.7% of the female players and 71.8% of the male players in terms of their selection for the NVDP. The results of this study show that jumping ability and body height are crucial in the TI and selection process in youth volleyball.

Potential of IMU-Based Systems in Measuring Single Rapid Movement Variables in Females with Different Training Backgrounds and Specialization.

The aim of this paper is to determine the discriminative potential of the IMU-based system for the measurement of rapid hand movement properties, i.e., relevant kinematic variables in relation to different groups of participants. The measurement of the kinematics of the rapid hand movement was performed using a standard hand tapping test. The sample in this research included a total of 70 female participants and was divided into 3 subsamples. The discriminant analysis has identified two functions, DF1 and DF2, that explain 91.1 and 8.1% of the variance, respectively. The differences between the examined subsamples originate from the variables grouped in DF1, which were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.000). In relation to this function, the national volleyball team centroid position was shifted with -1.108 and -1.968 standard deviation values from the control group and youth volleyball team, respectively. The difference between control and Voll_Youth groups was -0.860 standard deviation value. The factors with the greatest discriminative potential among the groups represent the temporal characteristics of the rapid hand movement, i.e., the time elapsed between the onset of the movement and the first and second tap, as defined by the variables t1 and t2, respectively. The established findings clearly indicate that IMU sensors are practically applicable in relation to the sensitive measurement of rapid arm movement capability of female athletes.

The variation pulsometry correct indicators` modeling in volleyball players with mesomorphic somatotype depending on the anthropometric features of the organism

Annotation. Appropriate cardiointervalographic parameters establishment, for highly skilled athletes of a particular sport, is relevant and can be used for diagnostic purposes and because of connection with the widespread prevalence of cardiovascular pathology. The purpose of the work was to construct regression models of the variations of the pulsometry in volleyball players of the mesomorphic somatotype, depending on the features of anthropometric indicators. The study involved 24 volleyball players with a high level of sportsmanship (from the first adult category to candidates for the master of sports), aged 17–21 years. We carried out anthropometric research by Bunak's method (1941), somatotypological - by the calculated modification of the Heath-Carter method (1990), determination of the component composition of the body weight by the method of Matejko (1992) and cardiointervalographic examination using a computer diagnostic complex “OPTW” following the recommendations of the European and North American Cardiac Association [1996]. The following indicators of variation heart rate were determined: moda, moda amplitude, average minimum and maximum R-R intervals, and variation range. The mathematical models were constructed in the “STATISTICA 5.5” package for Windows using direct stepwise regression analysis. The article presents the results of regression analysis for determining the dependence of variation heart rate indicators in volleyball players of mesomorphic somatotype on the total complex of constitutional characteristics. Mathematical models for determination of individual proper cardiointervalographic parameters based on features of the external structure of the body of youth volleyball players of high level of sportsmanship. The analysis of constitutional predictors that determine the variability of indicators of variation heart rate in a group of volleyball players of mesomorphic somatotype has been performed.

Mental Imagery in Volleyball Settings: A Scoping Review

Abstract This article presents a scoping review of the published literature on mental imagery in the context of volleyball. Four online databases and one peer-reviewed journals were searched, based on the inclusion criteria. Publication information, procedures and research methods, sample characteristics, sport type and type of mental imagery were analyzed. The selection process found 52 studies, and results showed that from 1987 to 2018 the mental images, along with other psychological skills, have gained popularity in volleyball settings. The examined studies used cross-sectional and experimental approaches, and the analysis was assessed by quantitative data and/ or mental imagery training programs (with relaxation and scripts), mainly focusing on the isolated analysis of the mental imagery construct, and evaluating its use. The studies included both male and female participants, but only 11% were volleyball players. Additionally, the focus was on adolescents and young adult athletes, mostly from high school/ university or international/ elite levels. However, just two studies examined athletes under the age of 16. Considering the present study’s results, limitations, and its implications for practice (e. g. to provide the coach certification programs with specific mental imagery contents), future research directions were highlighted, such as improve mental imagery training programs for children and youth volleyball players.

Use of active games for the development of general and special physical training of young volleyball players

This article is based on the experience of using play games to develop the overall and specific physical fitness of young people and youth volleyball players.

Risk Factors of Shoulder Injuries in Youth Volleyball Players

Risk Factors of Shoulder Injuries in Youth Volleyball Players

Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training and Detraining on Countermovement Jump Performance in Youth Volleyball Players.

Nunes, ACCA, Cattuzzo, MT, Faigenbaum, AD, and Mortatti, AL. Effects of integrative neuromuscular training and detraining on countermovement jump performance in youth volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2242-2247, 2021-The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of integrative neuromuscular training (INT) on countermovement vertical jump height (CVJH) performance in youth volleyball players before and after a detraining period. Thirty-two novice volleyball players were cluster randomized into 2 groups: intervention group-INT (age: 13.1 ± 0.4 years; body mass: 55.3 ± 12.1 kg; and height: 161.1 ± 6.4 cm) and control group-CON (age: 12.8 ± 0.7 years; body mass: 51.8 ± 13.6 kg; and height: 160.1 ± 10.7 cm). The subjects were evaluated for somatic maturation (years from peak height velocity) and for CVJH performance at 4 time points during the 20-week study period: baseline, 6 weeks of INT, 12 weeks of INT, and 8 weeks after INT (detraining). The analysis used repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test to identify possible differences in the CVJH delta in both groups. Spearman correlation was performed to verify the association between the values of the vertical jump tests and maturational levels found. The INT showed a significant improvement in the CVJH from baseline to 12 weeks and maintained training-induced gains after detraining period (p > 0.001). Significant increase in CVJH was found in the percentage of change (Δ%) from baseline to 6 weeks (p < 0.005), 12 weeks (p < 0.001), and detraining (p < 0.001) in INT compared with the CON. The results of this study indicate that INT was able to improve CVJH performance in novice youth volleyball players and these gains were sustained during the detraining period. These findings indicate that regular participation in supervised INT can enhance jumping performance in young volleyball players, and that this type of neuromuscular program may be particularly beneficial for youth with limited fundamental motor skill performance.

Assessing Individual Performance in Team Sports: A New Method Developed in Youth Volleyball.

Studying the role of individual differences in team sports performance is a challenge. The main problem is having an available measure of individual performance of each member of the team. In particular, in youth sports, where the level of specialization is reactively low, it appears appropriate that this measure takes the entire performance of the athlete into consideration (i.e., that it assesses all of the athlete’s gestures), while maintaining an ecological validity criterion. Therefore, we devised and calculated an individual assessment measure in volleyball following the subsequent steps: Firstly, we video-recorded at least three volleyball games for each of the 114 youth volleyball players who participated in the study. Then, two independent expert observers evaluated each individual performance by attributing a score to every single gesture performed by the athletes during the games. The derived individual score was adjusted and controlled for the team performance measure, namely the result of each Set the athlete participated in (and for the amount of participation of the athlete to each game). The final measure of individual performance in volleyball proved to be reliable, showing a high level of interrater agreement (r = .841, p < .001) and a significant correlation with the amount of experience in volleyball (r = .173, p < .05).

Developing creative team games players: From jazz to sport coaching

Traditional coaching methods position coaches at the centre of the learning process and do not encourage players to think creatively. This study challenged this assertion, through the application of pedagogical principles reported in jazz-related literature, which argue that creativity is best developed through collaboration. As such, the study aimed to develop players’ creativity, through the application of pedagogical principles reported in jazz-related literature. An action research design was implemented, during a 14-weeks period, with a youth volleyball squad. Results demonstrated an impact upon match play; players showed their enhanced appreciation of the game’s complexity, by experimenting, collaborating, and generating creative solutions to challenges emerging within matches. In addition, the implementation of collaborative practices positively impacted upon the players’ communication habits, which were both more frequent and effective. Although players demonstrated a similar modus operandi to jazz musicians, this study represents the first step in what coaches can learn from jazz creativity, and therefore further research is required to corroborate or challenge the results attained.

Exploring of Youth Volleyball Players’ Engagement Motivations and Health Related Behaviors

Exploring of Youth Volleyball Players’ Engagement Motivations and Health Related Behaviors

Relationships between force-time curve variables and jump height during countermovement jumps in young elite volleyball players

Background: The importance of vertical jumps has been extensively recognised in sports. Furthermore, the main indicator of success in vertical jumps is the attained height, however, there is lack of knowledge on how the eccentric and concentric force-time curve variables affect the jump height. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationships between eccentric and concentric variables of the force-time curve and jump height in youth volleyball players. Methods: Twelve elite volleyball players (male, Iranian national youth volleyball players, 17 ± 0.7 years) have participated in this study. The correlations between the force-time variables, including the peak force, relative peak force, peak power, average power, relative peak power, peak velocity, and modified reactive strength index, of the eccentric and concentric phases and jump height have been assessed based on Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Results showed that the average power (r = .70, p = .034), relative peak power (r = .75, p = .029) and peak velocity (r = .98, p = .004) of the concentric phase and modified reactive strength index (r = .83, p = .014) significantly correlated with the jump height. Conclusions: Relative peak power and average power of the concentric phase are shown to affect jump height in young volleyball players, whereby the vertical jump is their integral part.

The dynamic nature of connection and its relation to character in youth sport

Positive youth development (PYD) is an asset-oriented approach to adolescent development that has been adapted to sport. Interestingly, in sport, the PYD outcomes (i.e. competence, confidence, connection, and character) have largely been introduced as outcomes, with little attention to their dynamic nature or individual influences over time. In considering evidence from educational settings that indicates peer relationships fluctuate over time, the current project sought to explore the dynamicity of these relationships (i.e. connection) over the course of an athletic season. In addition, the potential for connection towards the beginning of a sport season to influence athlete character towards the end of the season was assessed. Athletes from five elite youth volleyball teams (N = 43 athletes; Mage = 15.86; SD = 1.17) completed peer nomination questionnaires (i.e. connection) at the beginning and end of an athletic season. At the end of the season, a practice session was videotaped and athlete behaviours were coded for frequency of prosocial and antisocial behaviours (i.e. character). Results indicate significant variability in connection over the course of a season, and those who were rated as popular by their team members at the beginning of the season were more likely to demonstrate prosocial behaviours at the end of the season. Discussions pertaining to the novel methodologies implemented, as well as the theoretical and practical implications of the results are advanced herein.

Proximal-to-Distal Sequencing and Coordination Variability in the Volleyball Spike of Elite Youth Players: Effects of Gender and Growth

The aim of this article was to examine changes in elite youth volleyball players’ performance, proximal-to-distal sequencing, and coordination variability of the spike motion between the start and after 1 year of a talent development program. Eight boys and eight girls in late puberty/early adolescence were measured with 3D motion capturing for 2 consecutive years. Performance and performance variability increased and decreased, respectively, but both changes were not significantly correlated with growth. Gender differences were identified for proximal-to-distal sequencing, but a very strong similarity between both years was observed for all seven degrees of freedom (pelvis and trunk rotation, trunk flexion, shoulder horizontal adduction, shoulder internal rotation, elbow extension, and wrist flexion). The fact that this sequence was kept stable, despite marked growth effects, likely indicates that this sequence is biomechanically efficient and the motor control systems try to preserve it. Coordination variability was analyzed by coordination profiling with self-organizing maps. The decrease in coordination variability correlated strongly and significantly with increase in body height. Participants with stronger growth rates were observed to show smaller decreases in coordination variability, which possibly represents a mechanism to explore various coordination patterns to adapt to the more rapidly changing organismic constraints.

The Cognitive and Motivation Intervention Program in Youth Female Volleyball Players.

This study, grounded in Self-Determination Theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985, 2002) was aimed to determine the influence of a cognitive-motivational intervention program, to improve the basic psychological need satisfaction of autonomy and competence, autonomous motivation, procedural knowledge, perceived performance and sport commitment, in youth volleyball players. Participants included 34 Under-19 female volleyball players. A quasi-experimental design was carried out with an experimental group (n = 16; M = 17.45; SD = .45) and a control group (n = 18; M = 16.64; SD = .70). The experimental group followed a multidimensional intervention program comprised of 24 sessions held over three months (two training sessions per week). It was based on two strategies: giving athletes the possibility of choice in specific training tasks (proposing training situations with several action alternatives) and questioning (cognitively involving players through tactical questions). A repeated-measures MANOVA 2 (group: experimental and control) x 2 (time: pre-test and post-test) was used to analyse the effect of Group x Time interaction. The results of the inter-group analysis showed significant differences in the post-test measurement between the experimental group and the control group (in favour of the experimental group) in the variables: basic psychological need satisfaction of autonomy and competence, autonomous motivation, procedural knowledge, perceived performance and sport commitment. Given the relevance of the cognitive-motivational processes, not only for performance but also for sport commitment, this intervention has important implications for sport coaching.

A Study of Youth Volleyball Players’ Participation Motivation and Relate Elements*

The present study examined the essential factors that truly motivated youth athletes participated in Volleyball practices and competitions using the Adapted Questionnaire of Volleyball Athlete’s Motivation-Chinese Version. Participants were 92 youth volleyball athletes (age 14-17) from 15 schools of Nanjing City, China. Data analysis was done by a 2 Gender (boy or girl) x 2 Education-levels (high-school or middle-school) x 2 School-types (sport-school or regular-school) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Findings included: the top five higher scores from the 19 RFs were: RF1 “Technical-content and unique-value” M ± SD = 4.30 ± .83; RF17 “For extraordinary-skills” M ± SD = 4.24 ± 1.04; R3 “For health” M ± SD = 4.11 ± 1.02; RF12 “Improve own-literacy” M ± SD = 4.00 ±1.26; RF9 “become healthier” M ± SD = 3.58 ±1.13. These RFs possess significant higher impact on the participants’ motivations. The results of the MANOVA revealed that: two out of three independent variables reached meaningful significantly difference level (p &lt; .00), wherein in ‘Gender’ aspect, Λ = .37, F = 5.92 with boys athletes’ motivation score significantly higher (p &lt; .00) than the girls athletes; (2) in ‘School-types’ aspect, Λ = .24, F =11.17 with sport-school players’ motivation score significantly higher (p &lt; .00) than the regular-school players.

Addition of Glute-Ham-Gastroc Raise to a Resistance Training Program: Effect on Jump Propulsion and Landing.

Chiu LZF, Yaremko A, and vonGaza GL. Addition of glute-ham-gastroc raise to a resistance training program: effect on jump propulsion and landing. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2562-2571, 2017-Exercises such as squats and cleans are commonly used in resistance training programs to enhance athletic performance. However, these exercises may not effectively train the gastrocnemius, an important muscle for energy generation and absorption. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of adding glute-ham-gastroc raise exercise to target the gastrocnemius to a traditional resistance training program involving squats and cleans. Vertical jump height, weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion, and jump propulsion and landing mechanics were examined before and after an 8-week training intervention in female youth volleyball players. Approach (with: [INCREMENT] = 2.6 ± 1.7 cm; 90% confidence interval [CI] [1.8-3.6 cm] vs. without: [INCREMENT] = 1.8 ± 1.9 cm; 90% CI [0.8-2.8 cm]) and standing (with: [INCREMENT] = 2.7 ± 1.7 cm; 90% CI [1.7-3.6 cm] vs. without: [INCREMENT] = 1.6 ± 1.5 cm; 90% CI [0.8-2.4 cm]) vertical jump height increased more in the group performing glute-ham-gastroc raise. Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion increased when glute-ham-gastroc raise was included (left: [INCREMENT] = 4.1 ± 4.1°; 90% CI [1.9-6.4°] and right: [INCREMENT] = 4.1 ± 3.9°; 90% CI [1.9-6.2°]) but did not appear to change with resistance training only (left: [INCREMENT] = 1.4 ± 4.5°; 90% CI [-1.0 to 3.9°] and right: [INCREMENT] = 2.5 ± 4.4°; [-0.3 to 4.5°]). No discernible differences were observed for changes in jump propulsion and landing mechanics between groups. Glute-ham-gastroc raise may have a beneficial effect with young athletes when added to squat- and clean-based resistance training programs.