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Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to determine the technical performance profile of service reception with regard to execution and efficacy level according to level of competition in women's volleyball. The sample of the study was composed of a total of 6,311 game phases from 187 sets in 48 matches played during season 2005-2006 by the following divisions: under-14, under-16, under-18, 2nd national senior division, 1st national senior division, and international senior division. The design of the study was a descriptive and inter- and intra-group correlational one. The variables studied included level of competition, technique used to serve, technique used to receive, zone where the reception was executed, and efficacy of reception. The results indicated that at higher levels of competition: a) there is higher efficacy in reception; b) number of errors decreases; and c) proportion of receptions that allow one or more attacking options for the receiving team increases. As level of competition increases, the effect of service on reception decreases, and receiving zones are more diverse. This study establishes the technical and tactical service-reception profiles in women's volleyball, compares them, and establishes the dependence between variables to understand how the action changes throughout the levels of competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of nonelastic adhesive tape, dynamic bracing, and no-tape/brace on static and dynamic balance during single-leg stance in women's college volleyball. Seventeen young uninjured players (18.94 ± 2.49 years; 1.71 ± 0.05 m; 65.45 ± 9.49 kg; 9.2 ± 4.1 years played; 4 ± 1 weekly training frequency) were submitted to three conditions presented in randomized order: dynamic bracing; nonelastic adhesive tape and no-tape/brace. In all conditions, the center of gravity displacement (total displacement, TD; anteroposterior displacement, APD and mediolateral displacement, MLD) of the dominant and non-dominant lower limb (DLL and NDLL) was assessed using the static and dynamic platform of the Biodex Balance System. The ANOVA (three-way) test with repeated measures was applied, considering a 5% significance level. The results showed no interaction between any of the independent factors in all displacements (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant main level effect for TD (p = 0.001, mean difference = 1.1°) and MLD (p = 0.013, mean difference = 0.30°), with greater displacement in the dynamic level compared to its static counterpart. There was also a significant main limb effect for APD (p = 0.003, mean difference = 0.73°) and MLD (p ≤ 0.001, mean difference = 0.60°), with a higher degree of instability in MND when compared to MD. In conclusion, the data indicated that the use of nonelastic tape and bracing was not superior to the no-tape/brace condition in controlling center of gravity displacement during single-leg stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chocolate milk is an effective recovery beverage following endurance exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine its efficacy, compared to a traditional sports drink, for recovery from intermittent, tournament-style exercise through measures of performance, perception, and rehydration. On 2 days, 7 days apart, female collegiate volleyball players completed an exercise session, rested for 2 h, and repeated the exercise. Participants consumed one of two recovery beverages in a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design. The volume of chocolate milk (CM) was calculated to meet the post-exercise carbohydrate recommendation (1.0 g carbohydrate·kg body weight−1·h−1), and the sports drink (carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage; CE) was matched for volume. The beverages had similar effects on performance and perception variables; no significant differences were noted between treatments. Total urine volume collected over the 2-h recovery period was significantly lower for CM than CE (CM: M = 217, SD = 115 ml vs. CE: M = 412, SD = 245 ml; Z = 2.60, p =.009; r = −.58), and when total fluid consumed during recovery was compared to urine output as a percent retained, a significant difference was seen between CM and CE (CM: 79.7% vs. CE: 61.4%; t[9] = −3.34, p =.009; d = 1.06). Thus, it was concluded that chocolate milk is as effective as a traditional sports drink for females recovering from intermittent exercise with a short (2 h) recovery period, and that chocolate milk may be more beneficial than a sports drink for achieving rehydration post-exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study is to identify volleyball performance indicators that best discriminate between winning and losing teams in a set according to the level of competitiveness. The data have been collected from teams' performances (N = 438) in all sets played between top four teams in the final ranking of women's Greek volleyball league for five periods. Clusters analysis established three different groups of sets according to set final score difference: two to three points (balanced), four to seven points (semi-balanced) and more than seven points (unbalanced). A 3 × 2 MANOVA was then performed on twelve performance indicators reflecting expressions of five basic skills of the game (serve, pass, attack 1 and 2, block). The analysis revealed significant multivariate differences in the type of result and in its interaction with the type of set. A follow-up discriminant analysis showed that the effectiveness of attacks 1 and 2 are the most important performance indicators for all the set types. The discriminant function classified correctly more cases as the score difference got higher. Especially for balanced sets, 62% were correctly classified, allowing space for further improving the critical performance indicators. These results suggest that training of a women's volleyball team should emphasise more on improving offensive abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between goal orientation and perceptions of the motivational climate initiated by parents among female volleyball players. Female volleyball players (N = 204), ranging in age from 14 to 17 years (age M = 15.40), participated in the study. All subjects completed the 36-item Parent-Initiated Motivational Climate Questionnaire (PIMCQ-2) and the 13-item Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ). Stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between the predictor variables and goal orientation. Specifically, a climate where parents emphasized success without effort predicted ego orientation. Also, the results indicated that an individual's perception of a climate fostered by parents that focused on learning/enjoyment predicted task orientation. Overall, results from this study indicated that female volleyball players' perceptions of what their parents prefer and consider to be important in the learning of physical skills was related to dispositional goal orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth status and rate of a mixed-longitudinal sample (N = 19) of female volleyball players 9-13 years of age were compared to reference data for the general population. The athletes were measured at the beginning and end of the school year. Growth rates in stature and weight adjusted to 6-month intervals were calculated. The results indicate mean statures that are above U.S. reference medians and mean weights that are near the medians (i.e., tall girls with average body weights). Estimated half-year growth rates in stature and weight from 10.0-13.0 years closely match the respective medians of the Fels longitudinal study. The data thus suggest that the larger body size of young volleyball players is not a function of accelerated growth rate during these early adolescent ages and, thus, not due to earlier maturation; body size is likely genotypic and probably reflects selection at relatively young ages for the size demands of the sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effect of supplementing with beetroot juice (BRJ) during aerobic exercise. Ten female collegiate volleyball players (mean ±SD: age = 19.3 ±1.3 yr, VO2 peak = 37.4 ±3.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed three trials consisting of an initial graded test to exhaustion and two performance trials. For the performance trials, the subjects consumed 60 mL of BRJ (∼4 mmoL of nitrate) or placebo (PL) 3 hrs prior to 5 min of exercising at 45%, 65%, and 85% of volume of oxygen uptake reserve (VO2R). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was run to determine the effect of treatment and exercise intensity on VO2. Paired samples t-tests were run to compare differences between resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between treatments. There was no statistically significant interaction between treatment and exercise intensity for VO2. The main effect of treatment was not statistically significant for VO2, (BRJ, 1.32 ±0.53 vs. PL, 1.33 ±0.53 L·min-1, P=0.562). There were no statistically significant differences in resting SBP (BRJ, 110.60 ±6.77 vs. PL; 112.70 ±8.04 mm Hg, P=0.166) or DBP (BRJ, 70.80 ±5.51 vs. PL; 72.30 ±4.83 mm Hg, P=0.285) between treatments. These results indicate that 60 mL of BRJ (∼4 mmoL of nitrate) taken 3 hrs before aerobic exercise had no effect on VO2, SBP, and DBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the study was to identify the performance indicators in relation to set outcome regarding quality of opposition in elite women volleyball. The sample comprised 377 sets played in 100 matches by 12 teams participating in the Chinese Women’s Volleyball Association League (2016-2017). Teams were divided as high, middle and low level according to their ranking at the end of the season. Twelve performance indicators (points and errors in scoring and continuity actions) were chosen and analysed in terms of set outcome (win or lose) and type of confrontation. The results demonstrate that the quality of opposition has a clear influence on team performance. The spike and block, both in points and errors, were the mainly performance indicators related to set outcome. Serve points, serve-reception errors and excellent defences were also significant indicators. This study provides new insights into training and research, and it may be useful to coaches, physical trainers and match analysts for assessing performance and training their teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to analyse the Japanese National Women's Volleyball Team and to identify items differentiating it from other teams. All fifteen matches between the six National Teams (i.e., Japan, Brazil, China, Belgium, Turkey and Russia) competing at the Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix Finals of 2014 were analyzed, in a total of 56 sets and 7,176 situations of ball possession. Data suggested the existence of differences between Japan's and the other five teams' gameplay, namely the likelihood of more gameplay with utilization of the float jump serve (20.42; ± 3.79%, very large magnitude) and attack tempo 2 (61.89; ± 29.67%, large magnitude), while exhibiting less gameplay with zero blockers opposing the attack (-42.06; ± 21.28%, large magnitude). Based on these findings, it was concluded that sports success could be achieved even when a core feature of mainstream performance models (e.g., height in volleyball) was lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Spor Hekimligi Dergisi/Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine is the property of Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine / Spor Hekimleri Dernegi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The subject of this paper was the study of the morphological status of top elite women volleyball players, Rio 2016 Olympic medal winners, with the aim of obtaining reliable quantitative data, used to determine the morphological model and to control the morphological status of top elite women volleyball players. This study tested 12 top elite women volleyball players who participated in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and won the silver medal. Measurements of body composition were conducted one day before departing for the Rio Olympic Games, on 25th June, 2016, using electrical bioimpendance analysis (BIA), with the InBody 720 Tetrapolar 8-Point Tactile Electrode System analyzer. The study included 29 variables: 17 original variables, four voluminosity-dependent variables, six longitudinality-dependent variables, and two combined index variables. The results showed that average height of the women players was 188.93±6.49 cm, the overall mean BM value for the Serbian team was 75.56±6.97, the overall mean BMI value for the team was 21.08±1.30 kg⋅m-2, while the mean values for percent skeletal muscles and body mass were 48.95±1.78% and 13.43±2.70%, respectively. Upon a thorough analysis of the results of the study, it can be argued that in all measured anthropomorphological characteristics the top elite women volleyball players from the tested sample had a body type of remarkable basic longitudinality, i.e., BH, and a body composition mainly characterized by very high muscle mass but such a low amount of body fat that it bordered on the biological minimum for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Nigde University Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Nigde Üniversitesi Beden Egitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Journal of Physical Education & Sports Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Specific macronutrient distribution and training can alter acute and chronic hormone behavior and, subsequently, sport performance.Objective: The main aim was to examine relationships between dietary intake and anabolic/catabolic hormone response in elite female volleyball players during a 29-week season.Methods: Twenty-two elite female volleyballers (26.4 ± 5.6 years; 178 ± 9 cm; 67.1 ± 7.5 kg) had dietary intake (seven-day dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire), blood concentration of anabolic/catabolic hormones concentration, physical performance, and body composition assessed at four time points: a) T1: baseline/pre-testing; b) T2: eleven weeks after T1; c) T3: ten weeks after T2; and d) T4: eight weeks after T3. Hormones evaluated were: total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol (C), along with hormone ratios.Results: Positive correlations were observed between carbohydrate/protein ratio with ΔFT (r = 0.955; p < 0.001), ΔTT/C ratio (r = 0.638; p = 0.047), and ΔFT/C ratio (r = 0.909; p < 0.001). Significant and negative correlations were found between protein intake with ΔTT (r = -0.670; p = 0.034), and FT (r = -0.743; p < 0.001), carbohydrate intake and ΔACTH (r = -0.658; p = 0.006). No relationships were observed regarding Δcortisol. On the other hand, there was no change (p > 0.05) in body mass or body mass index at any time point, and the sum of six skinfolds improved (p < 0.05) from T1 (86.5 ± 6.9 mm) to T4 (75.2 ± 5.6 mm) as did muscle mass (T1: 28.9 ± 0.7 kg vsT4: 30.1 ± 0.8 kg). Vertical jump, spike-jump and speed improved (p < 0.05) from T1 to T4.Conclusions: A high carbohydrate/protein ratio was associated with positive changes in anabolism, while high protein and low carbohydrates (CHO) were associated with an attenuated anabolic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 quasiexperimental 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation Journal is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The so-called defined success in collective sports depends on a number of external and internal factors (relative to the individual), and together with the anthropological characteristics of the players they have a particularly important role. One of the important components of anthropological features are undoubtedly the morphological characteristics of the players to be compatible with the specific requirements of the kinesiology activity. The aim of this study was to compare the mean anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of competitive Macedonian female volleyball players with regard to playing position and to provide additional data in the international literature for the determination of the anthropometric profile of competitive female volleyball players. The research was conducted among 86 top volleyball senior players between the age of 23.2 ±2.9 years, on which there are 29 anthropometric measures applied, for assessment of longitudal dimension, transfersal dimension, voluminosity and fat tissue (skin folds), and indirectly the body composition and somatotip components BMI index was calculated. Within the statistical processing the primary descriptively statistical parameters were calculated, the univariate analysis of variance was applied and a psot-hoch analysis (LSD test) was conducted. Body height ranged from 160 cm to 187 cm, and the mean value (177 cm) was not inferior to that of international players of similar calibre. The average somatotip in this study (3.3-4.1-3.1) is generally mesomorphic with balanced relation between the endomorphic and ectomorphic component. The setter and the libero have lower body height regarding the opposite hitter, outside hitter and the middle blocker. The lowest percentage of fat tissue is given among the opposite hitter (7.2%), whereas the highest percentage of fat tissue is given among the libero (14.4%). Significant differences were found among athletes of different playing positions which are interpreted by their varying roles and physical demands during a volleyball game. The present differences in morphological structure suggests differentiation and selection of the players depending on the specific requirements of the kinesiology requests of certain gaming position. The top female volleyball players need for certain positions have been chosen by their morphological features which are to be more compatible with the requests of the gaming positon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volleyball is a sport with great unilateral load that can have a negative impact on a postural system. The aim of the study was to perform a detailed examination of posture and muscle imbalance in elite female volleyball athletes and, according to the results of the examination, to put together compensatory exercises and to assess their effect. A group of elite junior female volleyball players (n = 12) was examined by an experienced physiotherapist using a complex kinesiological analysis especially focused on body posture (from frontal, sagittal and dorsal plane), shortened muscles and performance of basic movement patterns (hip extension, hip abduction, sit-up, cervical flexion, shoulder abduction, push-up). The preliminary examination showed that every tested player had some kind of posture deficiency. The compensatory programme, consisting of breathing techniques, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises with an elastic band, and balance exercises with a Bosu balance trainer, was applied at the end of every training session over the competitive parts of two volleyball seasons. Before the application of the exercise programme we found flat back in 92% subjects, whereas 33% of subjects exhibited it after compensation. Improvement was noted in the intensified lumbar lordosis (from 50% subjects to 42%), and scoliotic body posture (from 50% to 17%). The biggest improvement in shortened muscles in the upper body was observed on the m. levator scapulae (from 83% subjects to 8%) and the m. trapezius (from 42% subjects to 8%); and in the lower body m. triceps surae (from 75% subjects to 33%) and hip abductors (from 83% subjects to 25%). The study suggests that balance exercises with a Bosu balance trainer and exercises with an exercise elastic band seem to be useful for volleyball since we noted improvement in body posture, movement patterns and muscle shortness. We therefore highly recommend this compensatory programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Contingent of the investigation are 24 female volleyball players from the teams of the University of National and World Economy and Locomotive sport club, Sofia. For realization of the target set, and the tasks of the investigation, the following methods have been applied: Sport-pedagogical testing Sport-pedagogical experiment. Training programme (fitness) has been developed for development of speed - force qualities of 17-19 years old female volleyball players. Under the influence of the specialized training work with the means, offered in the developed by us fitness programme, during the period of the investigation, significant positive changes have occurred in the level of development of almost all observed signs of speed-force preparation, with the female volleyball players from the experimental group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The peak values of the vertical ground reaction force in the landing phase of attacks suggest a external loads of volleyball player. The high dynamic loads during landing in volleyball jumps may cause lower extremity injuries. Aim of Study. The main purpose of this study was to compare the impact forces between three different volleyball attack techniques. Material and Methods. Twelve female volleyball players (mean±standard deviation: age 22.3±4.2 years, body height 183.0±8.7 cm, body mass 74.4±10.9 kg) participated in the laboratory tests. A force platform was used to measure the ground reaction forces (GRFs) during landing in volleyball spikes. The vertical (v) component of GRF and horizontal (h) components (resultant) of GRFs, buildup index of these forces (vBIF, hBIF) and time to peak GRF (Tv, Th) were analyzed. Results. No significant differences in Tv and Th (from 0.05±0.01 s to 0.06±0.01 s) between the three volleyball jumps were demonstrated (p<0.05). Significant differences in the peak vGRF, hGRF, vBIF and hBIF between the back row attack and front row attack (23.7%, 18.2%, 38.2% and 29.7%, respectively), and between the back row attack and slide attack (21.1%, 27.3%, 28.7% and 26.4%, respectively) were found (p<0.05). The highest values of peak vGRF (3.8±0.3 BW⋅m-1), peak hGRF (1.1±0.2 BW⋅m-1), vBIF (79.4±14.6 BW⋅m-1⋅ s-1) and hBIF (21.2±7.2 BW⋅m-1⋅s-1) were obtained during landing in the back row attack (p<0.05). Conclusions. The peak vGRF and vBIF during landing in volleyball spikes ranged: from approximately 3 to 4 BW⋅m-1 (vGRF) and from approximately 50 to 80 BW⋅m-1⋅s-1 (vBIF), and were several times higher than hGRF and hBIF. Increased impact forces in spikes indicate higher external loads during landings and a greater risk of lower extremity injuries in female volleyball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine two different types of loading protocols on the post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect of vertical jump performance in NCAA Division II American football (FB) and female volleyball (VB) players. The participants (8 American football and 11 volleyball players) had baseline maximal parallel back-squat and vertical jump (VJ) height determined before completing a crossover design which included VJs after sub-maximal jump-squat and supra-maximal rack-squat loading protocols. FB did not experience any significant (p>0.05) changes in jump performance following the moderately loaded jump-squat (JS) intervention (70.38 ± 13.61 cm) and rack-squat (RS) intervention (70.16 ± 13.41 cm) in comparison to the pre-test performance (69.37 ± 11.32 cm). VB did not experience any significant (p>0.05) changes VJ performance following the RS intervention (46.69 ± 9.53 cm) and the JS intervention (46.86 ± 10.21 cm) compared to the pre-test performance (47.14 ± 9.07 cm). There was no significant difference within groups between the VJ after the RS and JS interventions (p>0.05). It was found that sport played had a significant (p<0.05) effect on the change in vertical jump performance via PAP, however, there were no significant (p>0.05) changes in VJ height from either intervention used for either the FB or VB group. Therefore, the interventions used in this study do not appear to be a worthwhile strategy to employ in a team setting, although some individuals may experience practical benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study was to analyse constraint factors affecting non-attendance in sports. Few research studies have investigated the topic of non-attendance, and even fewer have sample representation of respondents who did not attend games. A survey was used to measure the impact of 12 constraint factors (41 total items) on non-attendance at women's college volleyball. The results of a logistical regression indicated that non-attendance of those who had never attended a match was predicted by the factors of financial cost, lack of knowledge, and no interest from others, while non-attendance of those who had previously attended was predicted by other sport entertainment and lack of success. These findings should be used to help marketers of typically lower-attended sports realise in development of strategies to increase attendance, more of a focus should be put towards their core product and enhancement of the event atmosphere, rather than on constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the role of jumping ability in female volleyball players is well recognised, the effect of fatigue on this ability is not well known. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a series of block jumps (BJ) on jumping ability and whether it varies by performance level. Ten elite (EG) and 11 amateur (AG) female volleyball players performed a fatigue intervention consisting of 45 BJ, being tested for squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and BJ before and after the intervention. Elasticity index (EI): (100 × (CMJ − SJ)/SJ) and upper limbs coordination index (ULCI): (100 × (BJ − CMJ)/CMJ) were calculated. After the intervention, EG showed a decrease of 4.40% in BJ height (p = 0.04; ES = 0.40), whereas AG presented an increase of 1.27%, which was not significant (p = 0.57; ES = 0.07). However, EG and AG presented no significant differences in SJ (p = 0.965 and p = 0.655) and CMJ (p = 0.742 and p = 0.211) when comparing baseline with post-intervention. Although EI and ULCI showed no significant differences after intervention in any group (AG: p = 0.989 and p = 0.114; EG: p = 0.242 and p = 0.205, respectively), AG presented a medium effect size (ES = 0.50) in EI and a small one in ULCI (ES = 0.37), also EG showed a medium-large effect in ULCI (ES = 0.75). These findings suggest that EG performance in BJ tends to decrease at the end of a specific jump training practice. Therefore, coaches and fitness trainers working with elite volleyball players should focus on exercises to maintain jumping ability during a match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-year retrospective analysis of injury data was conducted on a collegiate (NCAA Division I) women’s volleyball team. Twenty athletes (Year 1: age = 19.4 ± 0.9 y, height = 175.2 ± 5.1 cm, body mass = 70.5 ± 10.2 kg; Year 2: age = 20.1 ± 1.0 y, height = 175.7 ± 4.7 cm, body mass = 69.5 ± 10.1 kg; Year 3: age = 20.1 ± 1.4 y, height = 173.8 ± 6.3 cm, body mass = 69.9 ± 10.8 kg; Year 4: age = 19.5 ± 1.4 y, height = 174.4 ± 8.6 cm, body mass = 72.7 ± 10.8 kg) participated in this study, accounting for 1483 total training exposures. Injury was defined as any damage to a body part, incurred during volleyball or strength and conditioning-related activities, which interfered with training and/or competition. Injury rate was normalized to the number of athletes and exposure and expressed as injuries per 1000 exposures. A total of 133 injuries were recorded. The most common injury was to the knee (left = 7.5%, right = 12.0%). Injuries occurred most often in volleyball practice (75.2%), followed by competition (20.3%), and strength and conditioning-related activities (4.5%). Non-contact injuries (upper body = 26.3%, lower body = 53.4%) were more common than contact injuries (upper-body = 13.5%, lower-body = 6.8%). An examination of injury rates relative to the training year revealed patterns in injury occurrence. Specifically, spikes in injury rate were consistently observed during periods of increased training volume that were preceded by breaks in organized training, such as the early pre-season and off-season training periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sport & Society / Sport si Societate is the property of Altius Academy Foundation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The main objective of this study was to analyse the variables that predicted setting efficacy in complex I (KI) in volleyball, in formative categories and depending on gender. The study sample was comprised of 5842 game actions carried out by the 16 male category and the 18 female category teams that participated in the Under-16 Spanish Championship. The dependent variable was setting efficacy. The independent variables were grouped into: serve variables (a serve zone, the type of serve, striking technique, an in-game role of the server and serve direction), reception variables (a reception zone, a receiver player and reception efficacy) and setting variables (a setter's position, a setting zone, the type of a set, setting technique, a set's area and tempo of a set). Multinomial logistic regression showed that the best predictive variables of setting efficacy, both in female and male categories, were reception efficacy, setting technique and tempo of a set. In the male category, the jump serve was the greatest predictor of setting efficacy, while in the female category, it was the set's area. Therefore, in the male category, it was not only the preceding action that affected setting efficacy, but also the serve. On the contrary, in the female category, only variables of the action itself and of the previous action, reception, affected setting efficacy. The results obtained in the present study should be taken into account in the training process of both male and female volleyball players in formative stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper the results of the study of body bearing in 12 high performance female volleyball players of polish team (TPS Rumia) are presented. To estimate body bearing the New-York's test of the body bearing classification was used. The results of the study have shown that asymmetrical positions of volleyball players in the time of services and attacks are contributed to formed some asymmetrical disturbances of body bearing. At the majority of sportsmen it is exhibited in omitting the left brachium and the left blade, in a right-hand scoliosis, in the tendency to a platypodia. It requires use of special preventive and adjusting exercises.

This study analyzed all the games (n=253) from the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 Seasons of Brazilian SuperLeague Women's Volleyball, to identify the game-related factors that discriminate in favor of winning and losing teams. In the 2011/2012 Season, the Total Shares Setting (TAL) and Total Points Attack (TPA) were factors that discriminated in favor of a defeat. The factors that determined the victory were the Total Shares Serve (TAS), Total Shares Defense (TAD), Total Shares Reception (TAR) and Total Defense Excellent (TDE). In the 2012/2013 Season, the factor (TAD) most often discriminated in favor of victory and the factor that led to defeat was the Total Points Made (TPF). The scoring skills (TPA) and (TPF) discriminated against the final outcome of the game, but surprisingly are associated with defeat and the (TAS) supposed to victory. The non-scoring skills (TAD), (TAR) and (TDE) discriminate the end result of the game and this may be associated with the victory. The non-scoring skill (TAL) determines the outcome of the game and is supposedly associated with the defeat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to study the relationship between spike speed and the players' characteristics, anthropometrics, and strength levels throughout the season for a women's professional volleyball team. Players from a Spanish first division team performed a battery of tests evaluating anthropometric characteristics, strength performance, and spike speed at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of one competitive season. The variables were: age; training experience; height; one-hand standing reach height; body mass; body mass index; height of the vertical jump with an approach (spike jump); muscle percentage of arms; 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press; 1RM pullover; overhead medicine ball throws for distance using 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kg; spike angles; and speed of standing and jump spikes. Results showed that players' general strength (bench press and pullover) and power parameters (medicine ball throws) increased throughout the season, while speed of the jump spike did not improve. The variable that best predicted the jump spike speed at all the three time points in the season was the standing spike speed. The players' training increased their strength and upper-body power, but these improvements were not transferred to players' hitting speed ability. Push-pull and throwing exercises were not specific enough to improve the hitting ability of the female senior volleyball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to determine the level of improvement of motor skills of female volleyball players influenced by kinesiology operators in a period of 6 months. Research was conducted on sample subject of 130 female volleyball players aged from 13±0.6 (mean±SD). Sample variables are divided in two groups: 9 variables of assessment of basic motor skills and 5 variables of assessment of situational motor skills. Analysing difference of arithmetic means between of initial and final measures of treated variables it is determined that there is statistically significant difference on the level Sig=0.001, except for variables of Jelka test which determinates speed duration of female volleyball players. Analysis of quantity changes of basic motor skills, shows that the most important projections on selected discriminative function of basic motor skills have the following variables: body lifting in 30 sec; dynamometry of a hand, hand tapping; pull-up; throwing a 1 kg ball from lying position; side defence movement; push-up on bars and situational motor skill are the variables: precision of tactic serving; consecutive bumping; wall-spikes. Comprehensive development of female volleyball players and diversity in the level of volleyball specialization of the development will depend on systematic work on treated motor skills. This program appeared to be efficient. However, it is necessary to gradually increase the demands for the female volleyball players and to put the accent on performance of acquired situational motor skills in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study with transversal character participated 40 female volleyball players, selected by clearly defined critiques. The tests that were conducted are from the domain of specific volleyball coordination (predictors) and the precision of playing a ball with ''bump'' (criteria). The aim is to examine the relationship of predictors on the criterion variables and on that way create a precondition for predicting the level of precision of the female volleyball players. The female volleyball players have shown that they coordinating skills are statistically significant at the test shooting horizontal target with ''bump'' (ČEHOR). In the test shooting vertical target with ''bump'' (ČEVER) they showed up two types of coordination, coordination in space and coordination by the volleyball net, while in the third test, shooting horizontal target with ''bump'' in position 2 (ČEPOZ2), as significant have shown coordination by the volleyball net and one-handed juggling ball through the hoop. The importance and complexity of coordination in this and similar transversal research is evident, so the conclusion is that there is an relationship specific coordinative abilities with the correct performance of volleyball techniques and that latent factors, who have determined the coordinating ability of the female volleyball players can act independently, but also depend on each other. Without a doubt, without a well coordinated volleyball player, we can not expect efficient performance of the set technical-tactical structures in the volleyball game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dynamic loads during landings determined by the ground reaction forces (GRFs) may elaborate internal loads and increase the risk of overload knee injuries as a result of performing volleyball jumps many times. The study dealt with a biomechanical assessment of dynamic load indicators in female volleyball players for the motion sequence of take-off-landing in blocks and attacks. Methods: Twelve professional female volleyball players participated in the study. Blocks and attacks were filmed by two cameras. GRFs vs. time graphs were recorded with the use of a force platform. Values of dynamic load indicators in terms of the relations of peak of vertical component of GRF, build-up index of this force (BIF), and power output (P) during landing to the vGRF, BIF and P during take-off (L/T) were calculated. Results: The statistically significant (p < 0.05) highest values of L/T indicators were found for back row attack spikes: 2.4 (vGRF), 12.2 (BIF) and 3.1 (P). In the case of blocks, slide attack spikes and attack line spikes, results of these variables were in range: 1.8÷2.1, 5.9÷7.6 and 2.1÷2.9, respectively. Conclusions: The reduction of GRFs during landings contributes to decreasing the level of the load indicators L/T which should minimize the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon injuries in female volleyball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the dietary intakes and nutritional status of a nationally ranked team of female volleyball players. Methods: The subjects completed a general history questionnaire and 7-day food and physical activity records. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds and mid-upper-arm circumference. Biochemical assessment included parameters for protein, lipid, and iron status. Results: All subjects had normal menstrual cycles and body fat values (27 %) at levels higher than for optimum performance. Most were in negative energy balance and had low energy (30 kcal/kg/d), carbohydrate (3.8 g/kg/d) and protein (1.0 g/kg/d) intakes. Fat intakes were high (39 %) and micronutrient intakes were below recommended levels, except for vitamin C, vitamin B12 and niacin. Biochemical indices were normal except for iron and lipid status of some players. Conclusion: These results indicate that the players of this team have dietary intakes that place them at risk for nutritional shortages and compromised performance; they need professional counseling regarding nutrition practices for optimum health and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some research suggests age-related changes in the visual system are inevitable, other work indicates that expert performers in sport are able to maintain performance despite increasing age. This study examined aspects of skilled perceptual performance among older female experts (n = 6), advanced players (n = 7) and novices (n = 10). As expected, there were skill-related differences among the groups although analyses of differences in perceptual performances between the groups were more mixed. Our results highlight several interesting areas for future work including the possibility that age-related changes in the performance environment might drive maintenance or decline of skill. This research contributes to a surprisingly limited evidence base regarding the influence of age on perceptual skill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author of the thesis addresses the development of the explosive leg strength of the female volleyball team during the competition season. The main method of collecting data was by means of various testing and the evaluation was carried out by means of logical, mathematical and statistical methods as well as a subject analysis. The coaching results refer to the advisability of implementing work-out exercises during competitions to enhance the performance of the players' explosive leg strength attained during the preliminary period. The results of this study have statistically confirmed the positive effect of explosive leg strength (p < 0.05). The author has concluded his thesis with several recommendations for practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]