Transcript Physiological Profile for Volleyball

Physiological Profile for Volleyball
by Allison Jones
The Fitness Demands of Volleyball
Sport or
Activity
Energy Fitness
Muscular Fitness
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Flexibility
Strength
Endurance
Speed
Power
Volleyball
Medium
High
Med-High
Low
Medium
High
High
Energy Fitness
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Is volleyball more aerobic or anaerobic?
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Fox and Matthews (1974): more anaerobic
Viitasolo (1987) and Smith (1991): more aerobic
Volleyball was shown to rely highly on the aerobic
system based on a high depletion of glycogen in
slow-twitch fibers (Smith, 1991, 131).
The anaerobic system is used during the action of
volleyball, while the aerobic system is used to
replenish energy during the breaks from movement
(Viitasolo, 1987, 199).
Energy Fitness
Volleyball Time-Motion Analysis
VO2 Max
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Studies I found measured the VO2 max of
elite male volleyball players using treadmills
and ergometers.
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Viitasolo (1987) found average VO2 max levels
ranging from 56.6 to 56.8 ml/kg/min in the Finnish
National Team and a Finnish club team using a
treadmill.
Smith (1991) found VO2 max levels ranging from
42.5 to 63.7 ml/kg/min in Canadian National and
Universiade players using an ergometer.
Blood Lactic Levels
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Blood lactic levels were measured in the
Finnish national team following a training
session.
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Team average of 11.0 ± 2.1 mmol/l.
Blood lactic levels were measured in the Kiri
club team following three normal matches in
a tournament.
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Team average of 11.0 ± 2.7 mmol/l.
Blood Lactic Levels
Muscular Fitness
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Speed and strength work together to provide power,
the most important aspect of muscular fitness in
volleyball.
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There are differences in opinion as to the relative
importance of speed and strength, but all agree that power
is key, especially for the movements that require jumping.
I rated flexibility as being of medium importance
based on experience, but was unable to find
information in the studies to support this.
Endurance was also found to be of great importance,
considering that the average match lasts about 90
minutes.
References
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Gabbett, T., Georgieff, B., Anderson, S., Cotton, B., Savovic, D.,
Nicholson, L. (2006) Changes in skill and physical fitness following
training in talent-identified volleyball players. Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research, 20(1), 29-35.
Hakkinen, K. (1993). Changes in physical fitness profile in female
volleyball players during the competitive season. The Journal of Sports
Medicine and Physical Fitness, 33, 223-232.
Heimer, S., Misigoj, M., Medved, V. (1988). Some anthropological
characteristics of top volleyball players in SFR Yugoslavia. The Journal
of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 28, 200-208.
Martens, R. (2004). Successful Coaching (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics.
Smith, D. J., Roberts, D., Watson, B. (1991) Physical, physiological,
and performance differences between Canadian national team and
universiade volleyball players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 10, 131138.
Viitasolo, J. T., Rusko, H., Pajala, O. (1987). Endurance requirements
in volleyball. Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, 12, 194-201.