Is There a Relationship Between Birth Quartile and Vertical Jump Performance Among Young Male Elite Volleyball Athletes?

Vertical jump is an important skill that influences volleyball performance. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between vertical jump performance and birth quartile of Brazilian male youth volleyball players. We calculated chi-square goodness-of-fit tests to compare the athletes' birthdate distributions in quarters of their birth years (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to player age categories (U17, U18, U19, and U21). We calculated one-way ANOVAs to compare spike jump and block jump heights of players born in different quarters of the same year. Overall, we found a relative age effect (i.e., more players with birth dates early in the birth year) in U17 (p < .001), U18 (p < .001), U19 (p < .001), and U21 (p = .04). Regarding vertical jump performance, U18 athletes born in Q2 reached higher spike jump heights (p = .006) and block jump heights (p = .002) than athletes born in Q4, and U19 athletes born in Q1 reached higher block jump heights than athletes born in Q3 (p = .049). There were no significant differences in vertical jump performance across birth quartiles among U17 and U21 athletes. Thus, a relative age effect was present in all age categories but not always reflected in vertical jump performance. Volleyball coaches and policymakers are still advised to employ strategies to ensure fairer opportunities for players born later in the year of their eligibility dates, as we found RAE to be sometimes, but not always, related to higher spike or block jump heights even among these older adolescents and young adult athletes.

The Decision-Making of High-Level Volleyball Setters in the 2021-2022 Volleyball Men's Superliga: Does the Opponent Matter?

Our primary objective in this study was to investigate the offensive strategies employed in the attack phase of men's volleyball, specifically focusing on side-out as stratified by the type of confrontation that was determined by the opponent's team performance. We analyzed 5524 attacking actions during 22 games of the 12 teams that participated in the Volleyball Men's Superliga (season 2021-2022). Based on their final rankings in the championship, we classified these teams into three tiers: high-performance, intermediate-performance, and low-performance. Subsequently, we examined the dynamics of these matches using Social Network Analysis. We found that the opponent teams' performance levels did not influence the game dynamics. Notably, the eigenvector values were prominently higher for Attack Zones 2 and 4, wherein the middle-blocker jumped to attack close to the setter across all networks. Thus, setters opted for traditional and low-risk strategies to minimize errors, disregarding available information about the skill level of the opposing team, making their offensive tactics predictable.

Upper and Lower Limbs Acute Fatigue Did Not Mitigate Male Trained Air Force Soldiers' Marksmanship.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of acute fatigue on pistol shooting performance among Air Force marksmen. We compared the accuracy, precision, speed-accuracy trade-off, shooting cycle time, and hits on a silhouette target among 12 Brazilian Air Force servicemen (M age = 21.5, SD - 1.6 years) under both fatigue and non-fatigue conditions in a crossover design. In the fatigued condition, the participants performed a fatigue protocol composed of side runs, vertical jumps, push-ups, running, and burpees exercises before shooting. Participants performed the countermovement jump and the plyometric push-ups tests on a contact mat before and immediately after the fatigue protocol to compare the heights achieved pre- and post-fatigue. Paired t-tests showed a significant performance reduction of 34.36% and 40.02% for the countermovement jump and plyometric push-ups, respectively, indicating that participants were fatigued in their lower and upper limbs. In the non-fatigued condition, no exercise was performed before shooting. Results indicated no significant differences between conditions on shooting precision (p = .125; ES: .54), speed-accuracy trade-off (p = .261; ES = .33), hits within the silhouette (p = .167; ES = .41), or shooting cycle times (p = .868; ES = .05); but accuracy was greater (p = .025; ES: .54) when fatigued. We concluded that overall shooting performance was not impaired by physical fatigue, and shooting accuracy appeared to be improved. Perhaps physical fatigue was not enough to impair shooting accuracy in this young adult group, as accuracy decline is expected instead when shooters are in an exhausted state. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and test this presumption.

Inter e intra-variability of the best ranked teams: A network analysis in male high-level volleyball.

The present research objective was to analyze the offensive phase from Complex I in high-level male volleyball teams in a macro- and micro-level view, through the inter e intra-team variability analysis of eight best teams of the 2018 Men's Volleyball World Championship over the social network analysis and eigenvector centrality. The sample consisted of 22 matches and 2,743 offensive actions, resulting in 8 sub-networks with 368 nodes and 6221 edges. The results showed from macro view the variables that presented highest centrality values were Attack Zone 4 (range 0.56-0.90), Attack Tempo 2 (0.65-0.87), Power Attack (0.62-0.94), No Touch Block (0.61-1), Attack Effect Continuity (0.59-0.94), and Middle Blocker Centralized (0.60-0.95). In a micro view, Reception Effect, Play Position, Reception Zone, and Block Composition showed high variability in each sub-network. The intra- and inter-team variability presented the importance of to respect each team idiosyncrasies and to consider the different approaches to the game and success.

A formação inicial em Educação Física: análise do ensino do voleibol através dos jogos reduzidos a partir das ementas de universidades federais / The initial formation in Physical Education: analysis of the teaching of volleyball through Small-sided Games from the itinerary of federal universities / La formación inicial en Educación Física: análisis de la enseñanza del Volleyball a través de juegos reducidos y condicionados a partir de los menús de las universidad federales

Os jogos reduzidos e condicionados são uma estratégia eficaz no ensino e aprendizagem de competências tático-técnicas no voleibol. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se os jogos reduzidos e condicionados no voleibol fazem parte do ementário dos cursos de Educação Física das universidades federais brasileiras. Utilizamos a investigação documental com a coleta de dados nas universidades federais cadastradas na base de dados do e-MEC. Os resultados mostram que há indicação de utilização dos jogos reduzidos e condicionados em duas disciplinas de voleibol analisadas. Concluímos que deve haver mudanças no ensino dos jogos reduzidos e condicionados para que as universidades federais possam atualizar suas ementas no intuito de formar recursos humanos cada vez mais qualificados (AU)

The Small-sided Games are an effective strategy in the teaching and learning of tactical and technical skills in volleyball. The objective of this study was to verify if the Small-sided Games in volleyball are part of the itinerary of Physical Education courses in Brazilian federal universities. A documental investigation was used with data collection from federal uni-versities registered in the e-MEC database. The results show there is an indication of the use of reduced and conditioned games in two volleyball disciplines analyzed. The conclusion is that there must be changes in the teaching of Small-sided Games so that the federal universities can update their curriculum in order to form more qualified human resources (AU).

Los juegos reducidos y condicionados son una estrategia efi-caz en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de habilidades tácticas y técnicas en el Volleyball. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar si los juegos reduci-dos y condicionados en Volleyball hacen parte del plan de estudios de los cursos de Educación Física de las universidades federales brasileñas. Se utilizó una investigación documental con recolección de datos de univer-sidades federales registradas en la base de datos e-MEC. Los resultados muestran que hay indicios del uso de juegos reducidos y condicionados en dos disciplinas de voleibol analizadas. La conclusión es que debe ha-ber cambios en la enseñanza de los juegos reducidos y condicionados para que las universidades federales puedan actualizar sus pan de es-tudios con el fin de formar cada vez más recursos humanos calificados (AU).

A formação inicial em Educação Física: análise do ensino do voleibol através dos jogos reduzidos a partir das ementas de universidades federais / The initial formation in Physical Education: analysis of the teaching of volleyball through Small-sided Games from the itinerary of federal universities / La formación inicial en Educación Física: análisis de la enseñanza del Volleyball a través de juegos reducidos y condicionados a partir de los menús de las universidad federales

Os jogos reduzidos e condicionados são uma estratégia eficaz no ensino e aprendizagem de competências tático-técnicas no voleibol. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se os jogos reduzidos e condicionados no voleibol fazem parte do ementário dos cursos de Educação Física das universidades federais brasileiras. Utilizamos a investigação documental com a coleta de dados nas universidades federais cadastradas na base de dados do e-MEC. Os resultados mostram que há indicação de utilização dos jogos reduzidos e condicionados em duas disciplinas de voleibol analisadas. Concluímos que deve haver mudanças no ensino dos jogos reduzidos e condicionados para que as universidades federais possam atualizar suas ementas no intuito de formar recursos humanos cada vez mais qualificados.

The Small-sided Games are an effective strategy in the teaching and learning of tactical and technical skills in volleyball. The objective of this study was to verify if the Small-sided Games in volleyball are part of the itinerary of Physical Education courses in Brazilian federal universities. A documental investigation was used with data collection from federal uni-versities registered in the e-MEC database. The results show there is an indication of the use of reduced and conditioned games in two volleyball disciplines analyzed. The conclusion is that there must be changes in the teaching of Small-sided Games so that the federal universities can update their curriculum in order to form more qualified human resources.

Los juegos reducidos y condicionados son una estrategia efi-caz en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de habilidades tácticas y técnicas en el Volleyball. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar si los juegos reduci-dos y condicionados en Volleyball hacen parte del plan de estudios de los cursos de Educación Física de las universidades federales brasileñas. Se utilizó una investigación documental con recolección de datos de universidades federales registradas en la base de datos e-MEC. Los resultados muestran que hay indicios del uso de juegos reducidos y condicionados en dos disciplinas de voleibol analizadas. La conclusión es que debe ha-ber cambios en la enseñanza de los juegos reducidos y condicionados para que las universidades federales puedan actualizar sus pan de es-tudios con el fin de formar cada vez más recursos humanos calificados.

The Relative Age Effect in Male and Female Brazilian Elite Volleyball Athletes of Varied Competitive Levels.

Volleyball is a popular sport in Brazil, and the relative age effect (RAE) is known to occur within it; but less is known of how RAE relates to elite Brazilian volleyball players' age, sex, and competitive levels. We aimed to investigate RAE prevalence with data from two seasons of play among players in the Superliga A (2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons), and Superliga B (2021 and 2022 seasons) made available from the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the club's official website, or direct consultation with the CBV. After removing duplicate data, we grouped these 1,063 athletes by their dates of birth, sex, and competition level (Superliga A or B). We divided players' birth dates into quarters (Q1: January-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-September and Q4: October-December) and into semesters, and we performed chi-square (χ2) tests to investigate RAE prevalence according to the players' sex and competitive level. RAE was prevalent overall (χ2 = 33.198; p < .001), among males (χ2 = 24.48; p < .001) and females (χ2 = 11.23; p < .011). Regarding competition level, RAE was evident among males in both Superliga A (χ2 = 14.581; p = 0.002), and B (χ2 = 13.985; p = 0.003), and among females in Superliga B (χ2 = 9.204; p = 0.027), but not Superliga A (χ2 = 4.012; p = 0.26). Thus, the RAE phenomenon operated differently for male and female Brazilian volleyball players according to their competitive level. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Prevalence of the Relative Age Effect in Elite Brazilian Volleyball: An Analysis Based on Gender, the Playing Position, and Performance Indicators.

Athletes born closer to an arbitrary cut-off date are more likely to reach an elite level in sport, which is supported by a phenomenon called the relative age effect (RAE). It is important to determine whether this phenomenon is present in a sport to minimize this selection bias. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RAE in elite volleyball athletes, considering the influence of gender, the playing position (Setter, Middle, Libero, Opposite, and Outside Hitter) and the performance level (attack points, aces, and block points). The sample comprised 203 male and 193 female athletes competing in the Superliga A in the 2020/2021 season, which was equivalent to all of the teams of the championship. The data collection was performed during May and June, 2021. Athletes were organized according to gender, the playing position, and performance in the Superliga. For performance variables, athletes were separated based on the median value (90.0), and classified as high- or low-performance. Chi-squared tests were performed to verify differences between birth date distributions in relation to the aforementioned variables. Results indicated overrepresentation of relatively older male athletes (Q1 = 35.96%; Q2 = 27.59%; Q3 = 19.21%; Q4 = 17.24%), especially in Middles, Opposites, and Outside Hitters, regardless of their performance level. Considering females, no differences were found. Our findings suggest that RAE operates differently for men and women in elite Brazilian volleyball. The characteristics of the games played by male and female elite athletes may lead to different talent selection processes, affecting the likelihood of RAE prevalence.

Small-sided games in volleyball: A systematic review of the state of the art.

Studies on small-sided games (SSG) in team sports have increased in recent decades. However, the literature concerning this training strategy in volleyball is sparse. This study aims to summarize and analyse the scientific evidence on SSG in volleyball. For this purpose, electronic searches were conducted in August 2021 in PubMed, Scielo, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. As result, a total of 22 studies (3 cross-sectional, 7 quasi-experimental, and 12 randomized controlled trial) that used SSG in volleyball were included in the qualitative synthesis after applying the eligibility criteria. Despite the few studies available for each outcome, our results suggest that the SSG can be used as a methodological resource for volleyball teaching and training of educational, recreational, and high-performance character. In conclusion, the use of SSG in volleyball is a pedagogical and training alternative with positive effects on populations with different levels of training (school and university students, recreational adult players, and athletes) considering instructional approaches, sport knowledge, participation in Physical Education classes, health markers, physical fitness, and physiological, psychological, and tactical-technical variables. However, more studies need to be carried out using SSG in volleyball in different contexts, with different manipulations and variables.

Realização do approach de tenistas infantojuvenis em situações de treino: análise da tomada de decisão em cenários críticos de jogo / Achievement of the approach of juvenile's tennis players in training situations: analysis of decision making in critical scenarios / Consecución del approach de los tenistas infantiles en situaciones de entrenamiento: análisis de la toma de decisiones en escenarios críticos

O presente estudo objetivou analisar a realização das ações de approach, subida à rede e voleio, em um cenário crítico durante situação de treino. Dezessete atletas infantojuvenis foram analisados durante jogos tie-break de até 10 pontos, totalizando 696 trocas de bola, das quais 137 possibilitaram o approach. Foram avaliadas quatro variáveis relacionadas ao ajuste técnico, uma à tomada de decisão e uma à eficácia do voleio por meio do Game Performance Assessment Instrument. Nossos resultados evidenciam que os jovens tenistas analisados usaram o approach em 9,5% das situações favoráveis, conseguindo em 53,8% dos casos efetivar a ação tática. Sugere-se que os treinadores enfatizem cenários críticos em seus treinos para estimular a leitura da situação de jogo de seus atletas

The present study aimed to analyze the performance of the actions of approach, the ascent to the net and volley in a critical scenario during training situation. Seventeen juveniles' athletes were analyzed during tie-break games of up to 10 points, totaling 696 ball changes, of which 137 allowed the approach. Four variables related to technical adjustment were analyzed, one to decision making and one to volley effectiveness through Game Performance Assessment Instrument. Our results show that the young tennis players analyzed used the approach in 9.5% of the favorable situations, achieving in 53.8% of the cases to effect the tactical action. It is suggested that coaches emphasize critical scenarios in their training to stimulate the reading of the game situation of their athletes

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el desempeño de las acciones de approach, ascenso a la red y volea en un escenario crítico durante la situación de entrenamiento. Diecisiete atletas fueron analizados durante los juegos de tie-breakde hasta 10 puntos, totalizando 696 cambios de balón, de los cuales 137 permitieron el approach. Se analizaron cuatro variables relacionadas con el ajuste técnico, una a la toma de decisiones y otra con la efectividad de la volea através del Game Performance Assessment Instrument. Nuestros resultados muestran que los jóvenes tenistas analizados utilizaron el approach en el 9,5% de las situaciones favorables, obteniendo realizar la acción táctica em el 53,8% de los casos en su entrenamiento para incentivar la lectura de la situación de juego de sus atletas

Realização do approach de tenistas infantojuvenis em situações de treino: análise da tomada de decisão em cenários críticos de jogo / Achievement of the approach of juvenile's tennis players in training situations: analysis of decision making in critical scenarios / Consecución del approach de los tenistas infantiles en situaciones de entrenamiento: análisis de la toma de decisiones en escenarios críticos

O presente estudo objetivou analisar a realização das ações de approach, subida à rede e voleio, em um cenário crítico durante situação de treino. Dezessete atletas infantojuvenis foram analisados durante jogos tie-break de até 10 pontos, totalizando 696 trocas de bola, das quais 137 possibilitaram o approach. Foram avaliadas quatro variáveis relacionadas ao ajuste técnico, uma à tomada de decisão e uma à eficácia do voleio por meio do Game Performance Assessment Instrument. Nossos resultados evidenciam que os jovens tenistas analisados usaram o approach em 9,5% das situações favoráveis, conseguindo em 53,8% dos casos efetivar a ação tática. Sugere-se que os treinadores enfatizem cenários críticos em seus treinos para estimular a leitura da situação de jogo de seus atletas.

The present study aimed to analyze the performance of the actions of approach, the ascent to the net and volley in a critical scenario during training situation. Seventeen juveniles' athletes were analyzed during tie-break games of up to 10 points, totaling 696 ball changes, of which 137 allowed the approach. Four variables related to technical adjustment were analyzed, one to decision making and one to volley effectiveness through Game Performance Assessment Instrument. Our results show that the young tennis players analyzed used the approach in 9.5% of the favorable situations, achieving in 53.8% of the cases to effect the tactical action. It is suggested that coaches emphasize critical scenarios in their training to stimulate the reading of the game situation of their athletes.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el desempeño de las acciones de approach, ascenso a la red y volea en un escenario crítico durante la situación de entrenamiento. Diecisiete atletas fueron analizados durante los juegos de tie-breakde hasta 10 puntos, totalizando 696 cambios de balón, de los cuales 137 permitieron el approach. Se analizaron cuatro variables relacionadas con el ajuste técnico, una a la toma de decisiones y otra con la efectividad de la volea através del Game Performance Assessment Instrument. Nuestros resultados muestran que los jóvenes tenistas analizados utilizaron el approach en el 9,5% de las situaciones favorables, obteniendo realizar la acción táctica em el 53,8% de los casos en su entrenamiento para incentivar la lectura de la situación de juego de sus atletas.