Analyzing soccer match sprint distances: A comparison of GPS-based absolute and relative thresholds.

This study compared the most common absolute sprint threshold (> 25.2 km/h) with relative and individualized thresholds (> 70%, > 75%, > 80%, > 85% and > 90% of peak match speed). Twenty elite soccer players, competing in the first division of the Portuguese League, were monitored using GNSS equipment during thirty-four official matches. Peak match speed was retrieved as the individual maximal speed reached during the full season. Distances were registered when speed overcame the absolute and the relative thresholds. Mean ± SD of peak speeds and distances covered were calculated, and Pearson correlation (r) and mean paired differences were performed to analyze relationships and differences between thresholds. The peak match speed was 32.9 ± 1.4 km/h. Correlations between distances covered using the absolute and relative thresholds varied from very strong (> 70%: r = 0.84, p < .001; > 75%: r = 0.89, p < .001; and > 80%: r = 0.88, p < .001), strong (> 85%: r = 0.79, p < .001), to moderate (> 90%: r = 0.59, p < .001). Overall, the > 75% (ES: 0.23 [95% CI: 0.16, 0.31]) and the > 90% (ES: -1.65 [95%CI: -1.85, -1.48]) relative thresholds presented the smallest and largest differences, respectively, with the absolute threshold. Differences were also found when considering the playing positions. While the distances covered by central midfielders were similar between the absolute and > 80% thresholds (-0.03 [-0.16, 0.10]), fullbacks covered largely more distance -1.88 [-2.42 -1.50]) in the absolute threshold than in the > 80% threshold. The distances covered by players varied based on the selected threshold, affecting the distances covered by different playing positions. Being the highest speed threshold within displacements thresholds, the absolute sprint threshold showed greater similarity to lower rather than higher relative thresholds.

The Relationship Between Individually Assessed High-Intensity Accelerations, High-Intensity Decelerations, Sprints, and Technical Performances During Soccer Matches: A Full Season Analysis.

Purpose: This longitudinal study analyzed the relationship between players' physical (sprint distances, number of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations assessed with individual and relative thresholds) and technical (retrieved from SofaScore platform) performances during competition. Methods: Twenty elite players were monitored across a full season. Physical performances were monitored with GNSS devices, retrieving time (s), velocity (km.h-1) and distance (m). Sprint distances were calculated as > 80% of the match peak speed registered across the season. High-intensity accelerations and decelerations were calculated as >75% of the peak values registered across the season. Pearson (r) correlations (with 95% confidence intervals) were calculated to assess the relationship among different physical performance variables and between the physical and technical performance variables. Results: Sprint distances correlated with the number of ball touches (r = -0.36 [-0.49, -0.23], p < .001), accurate passes (r = -0.45 [-0.56, -0.32], p < .001), and dribble attempts (r = 0.30 [0.16, 0.43], p < .001). If players touched the ball more frequently and pass the ball more accurately, they covered shorter sprint distances. However, if players attempted more dribbles, they covered longer sprint distances. Conclusion: Practitioners can develop tactical strategies considering the relationship between sprint distances and technical variables such as ball touches, accurate passes, and dribble attempts.

An analysis of transition-resulted goal scoring patterns in football leagues: a comparison of the first 5 rounds and the last 5 rounds prior midway of the season.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the concept of 'game style' in football, focusing on a team's distinctive approach characterized by tactics, formations, and strategies. The objective is to compare goal-scoring patterns related to "non-offensive transition," "set pieces," "offensive transition," and "positive outcomes" across different league groups. METHODOLOGY: The sample comprises 702 football games, categorized into three league groups: Top Leagues, Marginal Leagues, and Emerging Leagues. A total of 2140 goals were analyzed, classifying them into four types: "No Transitions", "Set Pieces", "Offensive Transitions (direct), and "Positive Outcomes" of offensive transitions. The study aims to identify relevant differences between two distinct competitive periods, namely "Rounds 1 to 5" and "Rounds Last 5." RESULTS: The analysis reveals no significant differences in scoring methods between "Rounds 1 to 5" and "Rounds Last 5" across all variables in the analyzed league groups, except for goals conceded by "No Transition" in the Emerging Leagues. Additionally, results indicate that goals resulting from direct offensive transitions and positive outcomes substantially impact the Top Leagues, constituting 54% of the total scoring. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining consolidated game patterns, as demonstrated by the consistent scoring patterns across different league groups. While most leagues show no variations in scoring methods between early and late rounds, attention to goals conceded by "No Transition" in Emerging Leagues is warranted. The prominence of direct offensive transitions and positive outcomes in Top Leagues highlights the relevance of these strategies in the scoring process, emphasizing the need for teams to focus on developing and implementing effective game patterns.

Acceleration and deceleration demands during training sessions in football: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this review is to summarize the current scientific knowledge about acceleration and deceleration demands during football training. METHODS: A systematic search of three electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) was performed to identify peer-reviewed relevant English-language articles, following PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: All acceleration and deceleration data were analyzed and organized into four categories: i) training drills variables (i.e. manipulated drills variables such as number of players in small-sided games), ii) training exercises (i.e. different drills such small games or circuit training), iii) players' positions (i.e. demands for each playing position) and iv) training schedule (i.e. training sessions presented as microcycles, season sections or full season). Full-text articles of 42 studies were included in the final analysis. Players' level included: amateur, youth, semi-professional, professional and elite players. All playing positions were considered, including goalkeepers. Six different global position systems brands were used, with the majority measuring data at 10 Hz. Different thresholds and intensities were used in several papers. Lower acceleration and deceleration intensities occurred more often than higher intensities in all four categories. CONCLUSION: Different exercises elicit different demands and small-sided games presented higher acceleration and deceleration demands than circuit training and other running based drills. Furthermore, manipulating drills variables, as reducing or increasing number of players in small-sided games increase or decrease demands, respectively. Additionally, wide playing positions, such as fullbacks, are generally exposed to higher acceleration and deceleration demands. From a planning point of view, acceleration and deceleration demands decrease as match day approaches.

Inferência baseada em magnitude: um olhar para análise individual / Magnitude-based inference: looking at the individual analysis

Os testes de hipótese são amplamente empregados para análise de dados na área de ciência do esporte. Porém, existe um questionamento em relação a utilização desse método e a comunidade científica ainda procura soluções mais adequadas para a análise dos dados. De fato, esse tipo de análise não permite uma interpretação prática das mudanças observadas ao longo do tempo. Por conta disso, o cálculo da "in ferência baseada em magnitude" (IBM) vem sendo cada vez mais utilizado por pesquisadores e analistas de desempenho. Em uma perspectiva aplicada, a IBM permite avaliar a probabilidade de se encontrar diferenças relevantes (i.e., meaningful differences) nas variáveis investigadas. Da mesma forma, a IBM permite examinar com precisão as variações individuais e importantes no desempenho esportivo. O objetivo desse ponto de vista é apresentar e discutir a aplicação da IBM a partir das análises individuais. Para tanto o trabalho aborda os seguintes temas: 1) utilização da análise de dados no "mundo real"; 2) inferência baseada em magnitude: conceitos básicos; 3) aplicando a IBM no contexto do esporte; 4) classificações qualitativas com base nas mudanças observadas; 5) formas de se obter a mínima mudança válida importante e o erro típico; 6) análise e interpretação dos dados. Esperamos que o conteúdo apresentado encoraje pesquisadores e profissionais do esporte a implementar esse novo método de análise em suas rotinas diárias e, ao mesmo tempo, lhes auxilie na interpretação dos dados provenientes das avaliações e testes de desempenho.(AU)

Null hypothesis tests are widely used for data analysis in sport science. However, the scientific community has been questioning this method and is still looking for alternative approaches for data analyses. In fact, this type of analysis does not allow practical interpretation of the changes observed in athletic performance over time. Therefore, the magnitude-based inference (MBI) method has been increasingly used by researchers and performance analysts. From an applied perspective, this method allows examining the probability of finding meaningful differences in assessed variables. In addition, the MBI enables precise assessment of individual changes, which may be releva nt to sport performance. The aim of this article is to present and discuss the application of the individual MBI analysis. Based on this purpose, the manuscript covers the following topics: 1) utilization of data analysis in real world settings; 2) basic concepts of the MBI; 3) applying the MBI approach in sport science; 4) qualitative classifications based on observed changes; 5) different methods to determine the smallest worthwhile change and the typical error; 6) data analysis and interpretation. We hope that this study will encourage practitioners and r esearchers to implement this novel statistical approach in their daily routines, for analysis and interpretation of data collected during physical performance measurements.(AU)

Where to go: Computational and visual what-if analyses in soccer.

To prepare their teams for upcoming matches, analysts in professional soccer watch and manually annotate up to three matches a day. When annotating matches, domain experts try to identify and improve suboptimal movements based on intuition and professional experience. The high amount of matches needing to be analysed manually result in a tedious and time-consuming process, and results may be subjective. We propose an automatic approach for the realisation of effective region-based what-if analyses in soccer. Our system covers the automatic detection of region-based faulty movement behaviour, as well as the automatic suggestion of possible improved alternative movements. As we show, our approach effectively supports analysts and coaches investigating matches by speeding up previously time-consuming work. We enable domain experts to include their domain knowledge in the analysis process by allowing to interactively adjust suggested improved movement, as well as its implications on region control. We demonstrate the usefulness of our proposed approach via an expert study with three invited domain experts, one being head coach from the first Austrian soccer league. As our results show that experts most often agree with the suggested player movement (83%), our proposed approach enhances the analytical capabilities in soccer and supports a more efficient analysis.

Rethinking Monolithic Pathways to Success and Talent Identification: The Case of the Women's Japanese Volleyball Team and Why Height is not Everything.

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.

Changes in Effective Playing Space when Considering Sub-Groups of 3 to 10 Players in Professional Soccer Matches.

Success in soccer is much dependent on how players and teams create and restrict space and time. In match situations, players constitute small sub-groups to improve their collective synchronization and achievement of specific goals. This study aimed to identify changes in the effective playing space (EPS, defined as the smallest polygonal area delimited by the peripheral outfield players) when considering sub-groups of 3 to 10 players. Twenty outfield professional players participated in this study. The EPS, its regularity pattern (measured by the approximate entropy), coefficient of variation and players' mean speed were calculated for sub-groups of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 players, considering the smallest inter-player distance as the criterion. The EPS presented a most likely increase with a higher number of players, especially considering the transition from 3 to 4 players (~440% of variation, very large). As the EPS increased with the number of players, the correspondent regularity presented a trend of a most likely increase (from EPS3 vs. EPS4: ~25%, very large; to EPS9 vs. EPS10: ~11%, moderate). The mean speed results suggest that players may achieve different states of collective coordination, mainly between ~6 to 8 km.h-1. Overall, three different match scenarios should require additional attention when aiming to design more match transferable tasks: i) transition from EPS3 to EPS4; ii) transition from EPS4 up to EPS8; and iii) transition from EPS8 to EPS9. These results help to understand match self-organized behaviours and, consequently, allow to optimize task characteristics in practice sessions.

Heart Rate, Time-Motion, and Body Impacts When Changing the Number of Teammates and Opponents in Soccer Small-Sided Games.

The purpose of this study was to determine the internal (heart rate) and external load (body load, distance covered, and exertion index) during different types of unbalanced soccer small-sided games (SSGs) in professional (PRO) and amateur (AMA) players. In 2 separated sessions (PRO and AMA), participants played 3 SSG formats (4vs3, 4vs5, and 4v7). Data were analyzed from the fixed team's perspective (4vsX) according to the number of opponents (3, 5 and 7) and from the variable team (3 + Xvs4) according to the teammates (without teammates, 2 and 4 teammates). The time-motion and body impact data were collected using a nondifferential global positioning system with integrated heart rate measurement. Differences in internal and external workload between the game formats were compared using Cohen's dunb effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals. Results reveal that the higher the number of players involved in the task, the lower the internal and external workload. The analysis also showed different teammates and opposition-related trends that need to be considered when planning and monitoring training performance. Playing in low-inferiority (4vs3 and 4vs5) had higher physiologic impact to players than the other higher unbalanced situations. This evidence was similar to both PRO and AMA players; however, the PRO presented higher physical and lower physiological responses across games. Our results suggest that coaches should consider the usage of unbalanced SSG formats to simultaneously facilitate the emergence of defensive and offensive proficient scenarios also representing opportunities to increase the practice workload.

Typical weekly workload of under 15, under 17, and under 19 elite Portuguese football players.

This study aims to describe the time-motion and physiological performance profiles of footballers whose ages are under 15 (U15), under 17 (U17), and under 19 (U19) during a typical week of a competitive season. A total of 151 elite Portuguese players U15 (age 14.0 ± 0.2; n = 56), U17 (age 15.8 ± 0.4; n = 66), and U19 (age 17.8 ± 0.6; n = 19) were monitored during 33 training sessions (TSs) (U15 n = 12; U17 n = 11; and U19 n = 10 TSs). The TS data were captured at 15 Hz by global positioning systems devices and divided into post-match (session after the match), prematch (session before the match), and middle week (average of remaining sessions). The U15 middle week showed a higher number of sprints, distance covered in intermediate speed zones, and time spent above 90% HRmax, while the prematch presented a higher distance covered above 18 km · h(-1) and time spent below 75% HRmax. In U17, both prematch and post-match data presented lower values than middle-week data in most of the variables. The post-match data in U19 presented higher values of distance covered above 13 km · h(-1), body impacts above 10 G, and time spent above 85% HRmax, while middle week showed higher values in body impacts in most of the zones. In addition, the prematch data presented 35% to 100% less values than the middle-week data. Understanding the weekly workload variations according to the competition and the developmental ages of the players can contribute to optimising short- and mid-term planning.

How perceiving additional targets modifies teams' tactical behavior during football small-sided games.

This study aimed to measure how the change on targets information modifies teams' tactical behavior during football small-sided games. 20 male senior professional players divided in 4 teams of 5 players participated in the study. Each team played two small-sided games, one with 2 official targets with goalkeeper and one with 6 small targets. Positional data of each player were recorded using a 15Hz portable GPS. The distance between the centers of gravity (CG) of both team, the stretch index and the relative stretch index were measured and differences accessed via standardized differences, coefficient intervals and meta-analysis procedures. A moderate increase on the distance between the CG of each team and a small decrease on the stretch index and on the relative stretch index from 2 targets to the 6 targets games was observed. It was also identified that pitch location affected the interaction between teams. When the game was played in lateral corridors or defensive sectors, the differences between game conditions increased. Emphasizing the information for attacking team to shoot at goal, by manipulating the number of targets constrained tactical behavior of teams. The amplification of specific information on small-sided games can help coaches to promote players and teams' emergent adapted behaviors.

Physical and temporal characteristics of under 19, under 21 and senior male beach volleyball players.

This study aimed to assess the effects of age groups and players' role (blocker vs. defender specialist) in beach volleyball in relation to physical and temporal variables, considering quality of opposition. 1101 rallies from Under 19 (U19), 933 rallies from Under 21 (U21), and 1480 rallies from senior (senior) (Men's Swatch World Championships, 2010-2011) were observed using video match analysis. Cluster analysis was used to set teams' competitive levels and establish quality of opposition as "balanced", "moderate balanced" and "unbalanced" games. The analyzed variables were: temporal (duration of set, total rest time, total work time, duration of rallies, rest time between rallies) and physical (number of jumps and number of hits done by defenders and blockers) characteristics. A one-way ANOVA, independent samples t-test and multinomial logistic regression were performed to analyze the variables studied. The analysis of temporal and physical characteristics showed differences considering age group, player's role and quality of opposition. The duration of set, total rest time, and number of jumps done by defenders significantly increased from the U19 to senior category. Multinomial logistic regression showed that in: a) balanced games, rest time between rallies was higher in seniors than in U19 or U21; number of jumps done by defenders was higher in seniors than in U19) and U21; b) moderate balanced games, number of jumps done by defenders was higher in seniors than in U21 and number of jumps done by blockers was smaller in U19 than U21 or seniors; c) unbalanced games, no significant findings were shown. This study suggests differences in players' performances according to age group and players' role in different qualities of opposition. The article provides reference values that can be useful to guide training and create scenarios that resemble a competition, taking into account physical and temporal characteristics. Key PointsPlayer roles, quality of opposition, and competitive level of the teams influence physical and temporal characteristics, and they may be taken into consideration during the training by strength and conditioning coaches and coaches.More experienced players adopt strategies to better manage their effort and rest time between rallies.The game strategy affects the physical actions done by players (e.g. tendency to serve more to one player of the team affects the number of jumps performed by this player).

Systematic review on sports performance in beach volleyball from match analysis / Revisão sistemática sobre a performance desportiva no voleibol de praia a partir da análise do jogo

The present article aimed to perform a systematic review of the available literature in relation to the analysis of sports performance in beach volleyball from match analysis. Web of Science, SportDiscus(, PubMed, Scopus and Academic Search Complete databases were used to identify peer-reviewed published articles. The authors conducted a content analysis according to goals, variables of analysis and methods used in studies. In general, three research lines were determined: analysis of the functional dependence of the game actions and their relation with success, performance according to gender, and the effect of changing the rules on the game performance. In relation to methodology, an evolution from descriptive studies to studies of comparative nature can be seen and, more recently, there has been a focus on predictive nature. This new trend breaks with the research based on simple cause and effect relations , and focuses on the analysis of the game events, namely related to tactical-technical performance indicators, in a non-linear and interactive way, considering the game as a complex and dynamic system. The limitations of the studies analyzed show the need for further studies to in vestigate the identification of game patterns for the different game levels; integration of situational variables in the study of the performance of teams (such as match status and the quality of opposition).

O objetivo deste estudo consistiu numa revisão sistemática da investigação empírica realizada sobre a performance desportiva no voleibol de praia a partir da análise do Jogo. As bases de dados Web of Science, SportDiscus(, PubMed, Scopus e AcademicSearch Complete foram utilizadas para identificar os artigos empíricos com revisão de pares publicados. Procedeu-se a uma análise de conteúdo em função dos objetivos, variáveis de análise e métodos utilizados nos estudos. Em termos gerais, emergem três linhas de investigação: a análise da dependência funcional das ações de jogo e a sua relação com o sucesso, a performance em função do sexo e o efeito da mudança das regras na performance do jogo. Ao nível metodológico, destaca-se uma evolução de estudos descritivos para comparativos e mais recentemente, um enfoque de natureza preditivo. Esta nova tendência rompe com a análise do jogo baseada em relações simples de causa e efeito e aponta para a análise dos eventos do jogo, nomeadamente, ao nível dos indicadores tático-técnicos da performance, de forma não linear e interativa, considerando o jogo como um sistema complexo e dinâmico. As limitações patentes nos estudos analisados projetaram a necessidade de se investigar no futuro: a identificação de padrões de jogo para os diferentes níveis de jogo; a integração de variáveis situacionais no estudo da performance das equipes (isto é, o resultado no momento e a qualidade de oposição).

Match analysis in football: a systematic review.

Abstract The main focus of this paper was to review the available literature on match analysis in adult male football. The most common research topics were identified, their methodologies described and the evolutionary tendencies of this research area systematised. A systematic review of Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Knowledge database was performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The following keywords were used: football and soccer, each one associated with the terms: match analysis, performance analysis, notational analysis, game analysis, tactical analysis and patterns of play. Of 2732 studies initially identified, only 53 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures abstracted and analysed. Studies that fit all inclusion criteria were organised according to their research design as descriptive, comparative or predictive. Results showed that 10 studies focused predominantly on a description of technical, tactical and physical performance variables. From all comparative studies, the dependent variables more frequently used were "playing position" and "competitive level". Even though the literature stresses the importance of developing predictive models of sports performance, only few studies (n = 8) have focused on modelling football performance. Situational variables like game location, quality of opposing teams, match status and match half have been progressively included as object of research, since they seem to work as effective covariables of football performance. Taking into account the limitations of the reviewed studies, future research should provide comprehensive operational definitions for the studied variables, use standardised categories and description of activities and participants, and consider integrating the situational and interactional contexts into the analysis of football performance.

Attack and serve performances according to the match period and quality of opposition in elite volleyball matches.

The purpose of this study was to examine attack and serve performances in the beginning and end of the initial and final sets of volleyball matches according to the quality of opposition. Six hundred rallies from the Men's World Cup 2007 were selectively sampled from a total of 5,117 rallies observed using video match analysis. Rally-by-rally double moving averages of serve and attack efficacy were plotted by 4 different match periods (first 15 rallies of the initial set; first 15 rallies of the final set; last 15 rallies of the initial set; and last 15 rallies of the final set). Approximate entropy values were calculated to analyze the amount of data randomness. The results were examined according to the quality of opposition in 2 types of games: higher level (HIGH) including the first 4 ranked teams and lower level (LOW) composed of the last 5 ranked teams. The results suggested that volleyball matches presented different profiles depending on the match period. Considering the teams' level, a greater adaptation was found within the HIGH × HIGH matches according to the match period and a more strategic use of the serve and attack tactics taking into account the type of the set (initial or final set) and the period (beginning or end of the set). The findings emphasize the need for coaches and players to perceive the most important points at the end of the set and to manage their effort throughout the match attempting to reach this period in optimal condition. Therefore, it might be beneficial to coaches to stress the need to perform at the highest level, particularly at the end of the training drills that simulate competition scenarios.

Effects of quality of opposition and match status on technical and tactical performances in elite volleyball.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of quality of opposition and match status on technical and tactical volleyball performances, as measured by block, attack, serve, and set actions related to the tasks, space, players, and efficacy of selected game actions. Twenty-five matches from the men's World Cup 2007 were notated and through cluster analysis were classified as "high" (HIGH), "intermediate" (INT) or "low" (LOW) quality. The difference between points scored and points allowed was used to define match status. Multinomial logistic regression identified an association of match status with: set direction (likelihood ratio test [LRT] = 15.5, P = 0.017) and block typology (LRT = 9.6, P = 0.047) in HIGH vs. HIGH matches; attack player (LRT = 17.4, P = 0.026) and block typology (LRT = 9.2, P = 0.010) in LOW vs. LOW matches; and serve type (LRT = 17.4, P = 0.002), block strategy (LRT = 53.7, P <0.001), and serve efficacy (LRT = 26.0, P = 0.001) in HIGH vs. LOW matches. Results suggest that volleyball teams took more risky decisions in unbalanced situations. They also carried less risk through technical and tactical decisions in balanced and moderate situations whether they had the advantage or not. Therefore, strategic behaviour was affected by the interaction of quality of opposition and match status, providing a better understanding of volleyball game performance and new insights for practice, competition, and research.

Estudo dos indicadores de rendimento em voleibol em função do resultado do set / Study of performance indicators in male volleyball according to the set results

O presente estudo pretendeu identificar possíveis indicadores de rendimento, adstritos às ações de jogo, diferenciadores do resultado obtido no set em Voleibol. A amostra consistiu em 65.949 ações realizadas em 550 sets da Liga Mundial 2005, "adulto" masculinos. A coleta de dados teve como suporte instrumental o software "Volleyball Information System". Para testar as diferenças nos indicadores de rendimento, entre as equipes que vencem e perdem os sets, se utilizou o teste t de student de medidas independentes (p < 0,05). As observações cumpriram os requisitos de fidedignidade para serem utilizadas como ferramenta científica, tanto pela percentagem de acordos interobservador como pela estatística Kappa de Cohen. O presente estudo demonstrou que as equipes que vencem os sets obtêm melhores desempenhos em todas as ações de jogo (ataque, bloqueio, saque, defesa, levantamento e recepção), devido à maior frequência de ações ponto/excelente (com exceção do número de recepções excelentes) e à menor frequência de erros. As equipes que vencem os sets apresentam uma distribuição percentual dos pontos ganhos mais equilibrada entre as três ações terminais (ataque, bloqueio e saque) do que as equipes que perdem os sets. O ataque representa, para as equipes perdedoras, um maior peso no total de pontos ganhos através das ações terminais.

The present study aimed to identify in which performance indicators are there differences between the teams that win and lose the sets in Volleyball matches. Archival data were obtained from 65.949 game actions in 550 sets from the men's 2005 World League. The "Volleyball Information System" was used for data gathering. Descriptive statistics were performed on all variables and the student t -test was used. Kappa of Cohen analysis and percentage of agreement demonstrated good inter-observer reliability which confirmed the accuracy of observations. This study showed that the teams that win their sets have best performance in all game actions (attack, block, serve, dig, set, reception) due to higher frequency of point/excellent actions (with the exception of the number of excellent receptions) and a lower frequency of errors. The teams that win those sets have a more balanced distribution of points earned between the three terminal actions (attack, block and service) than the teams that lose their sets. For the losing teams, the attack represents a greater weight in the total points earned through the terminal actions.

Ventaja de jugar en casa en voleibol de alto rendimiento / Home advantage in high-level volleyball

En este estudio se ha pretendido estudiar la ventaja en casa en el Voleibol de alto rendimiento, apoyándonosen las estadísticas de los partidos que más pueden explicar ese fenómeno. Se han analizado 65.949 acciones de juegoseleccionadas de la Liga Mundial 2005. El instrumento de observación que se ha elaborado es una combinación de formatode campo con sistemas de categorías. Los datos se han obtenido mediante el “Volleyball Information System” y se hananalizado mediante la prueba t de Student, y la prueba ji-cuadrado. Los resultados demuestran que hay ventaja en casa enVoleibol (57,5% de victorias jugando en casa). Las estadísticas del ataque (t= 2.49, p = 0.01), del servicio (t= -2.18, p=0.03), de la recepción (t= 16.74, p<0.001) y de la distribución (t= 2.03, p= 0.04) muestran rendimientos superiores paralos equipos que juegan en casa. No se han encontrado diferencias en el rendimiento del bloqueo (t= -0.25, p= 0.80) y ladefensa (t= 0.11, p= 0.92) entre los juegos disputados en casa y los disputados fuera (AU)

This study investigates the effect of game location (home versus away) in high-level volleyball teamperformance as measured by game-related statistics. Archival data from 65,949 technical-tactical game actions during theMen's Senior World League (2005) were analysed. The observation tool devised was a combination of field format withcategory systems. The data were obtained through the official FIVB software known as the Volleyball Information Systemand analysed through Student's independent t-test and chi-squared test. The results suggest the presence of a homeadvantage in volleyball, since home teams won 57.5% of the games. The statistics on attack (t= 2.49, p = 0.01), serves (t=-2.18, p= 0.03), reception (t= 16.74, p <0.001) and set performance (t= 2.03, p= 0.04) were higher for home teams. Nodifferences between home and away teams were found in blocking (t =- 0.25, p = 0.80) and defence (t= 0.11, p= 0.92) (AU)

Home advantage in high-level volleyball varies according to set number.

The aim of the present study was to identify the probability of winning each Volleyball set according to game location (home, away). Archival data was obtained from 275 sets in the 2005 Men's Senior World League and 65,949 actions were analysed. Set result (win, loss), game location (home, away), set number (first, second, third, fourth and fifth) and performance indicators (serve, reception, set, attack, dig and block) were the variables considered in this study. In a first moment, performance indicators were used in a logistic model of set result, by binary logistic regression analysis. After finding the adjusted logistic model, the log-odds of winning the set were analysed according to game location and set number. The results showed that winning a set is significantly related to performance indicators (Chisquare(18)=660.97, p<0.01). Analyses of log-odds of winning a set demonstrate that home teams always have more probability of winning the game than away teams, regardless of the set number. Home teams have more advantage at the beginning of the game (first set) and in the two last sets of the game (fourth and fifth sets), probably due to facilities familiarity and crowd effects. Different game actions explain these advantages and showed that to win the first set is more important to take risk, through a better performance in the attack and block, and to win the final set is important to manage the risk through a better performance on the reception. These results may suggest intra-game variation in home advantage and can be most useful to better prepare and direct the competition. Key pointsHome teams always have more probability of winning the game than away teams.Home teams have higher performance in reception, set and attack in the total of the sets.The advantage of home teams is more pronounced at the beginning of the game (first set) and in two last sets of the game (fourth and fifth sets) suggesting intra-game variation in home advantage.Analysis by sets showed that home teams have a better performance in the attack and block in the first set and in the reception in the third and fifth sets.

Estudo dos indicadores de rendimento em voleibol masculino em função do número do set / Study of performance indicators in male volleyball according to the set number

O presente estudo pretendeu comparar o rendimento nas ações de jogo de Voleibol, em equipes masculinas de alto nível, ao longo dos cinco sets de um jogo. A amostra consistiu em 65.949 ações realizadas em 550 sets da Liga Mundial 2005. A coleta de dados foi efectuada tendo como suporte instrumental o software “Volleyball Information System” (FIVB, 2000). Para testar a existência de diferenças no rendimento das ações de jogo entre os diferentes sets utilizou-se a análise da variância (ANOVA) de um fator. Os resultados mostram que os rendimentos das ações de continuidade (recepção, levantamento e defesa) são significativamente inferiores no primeiro set em relação aos restantes sets. O fato de ser no primeiro set que as equipes obtêm rendimentos inferiores poderá ser justificado por ser a fase inicial do jogo, onde fatores de adaptação física e psicológica ainda não estão consumados.

The aim of the present study was to compare game action performances in male senior Volleyball teams during the five sets of a game. Archival data were obtained from 65.949 game actions in 550 sets of the World League 2005, men Senior Volleyball. The “Volleyball Information System” was used as an instrumental support for gathering data. Descriptive statistics were performed on all variables and the variance analysis (ANOVA) was used to test the existence of differences between the means of performance indicators during the sets. This study showed that the continuity game actions (reception, distribution and defense) performances are significantly lower in the first set in relation to the others. The lower performance in the first sets may be justified by the initial phase of the game, where fators of physical and psychological adjustment are not yet accomplished.