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Physiological Profile for Volleyball. by Allison Jones. The Fitness Demands of Volleyball. Energy Fitness. Is volleyball more aerobic or anaerobic? Fox and Matthews (1974): more anaerobic Viitasolo (1987) and Smith (1991): more aerobic
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Physiological Profile for Volleyball by Allison Jones
Energy Fitness • Is volleyball more aerobic or anaerobic? • 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).
VO2 Max • Studies I found measured the VO2 max of elite male volleyball players using treadmills and ergometers. • 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 • Blood lactic levels were measured in the Finnish national team following a training session. • 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. • Team average of 11.0 ± 2.7 mmol/l.
Muscular Fitness • Speed and strength work together to provide power, the most important aspect of muscular fitness in volleyball. • 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 • 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, 131-138. • Viitasolo, J. T., Rusko, H., Pajala, O. (1987). Endurance requirements in volleyball. Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, 12, 194-201.