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Fitness/Health

(55) ANALYSIS OF PRE-SEASON AND IN-SEASON ATHLETE LOADS IN WOMEN COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

Thursday, July 13, 2023
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Milano III-IV
Abstract Details:

Background: Monitoring athlete load is vital to provide objective data on volume and intensity of training and competition. In volleyball athletes, jump count is often used to quantify external load. The collegiate volleyball pre-season typically consists of two daily practices across a condensed period (i.e., 10-14 days). If not managed properly, such an abrupt spike in activity and workload could pose an increased injury risk throughout the competitive season.

Purpose: To quantify and assess the relationship of workloads of women collegiate volleyball athletes during preseason practices relative to in-season practices and matches.

Methods: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I (NCAA D-I) women volleyball athletes (n=17, mean±SD; age 19.85±1.13 yr, height 175.27±8.27 cm, weight 75.59±9.57 kg, body fat% 29.00±3.59) were assigned an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to wear for 22 pre-season practices (AM practice (P1); PM practice (P2), 39 in-season practices (ISP), and 27 in-season matches. External load metrics assessed were: duration of training (DUR); daily training load (DTL), and total jump count (TJ). Internal load was determined via assessment of session Rating of Perceived Exertion ((sRPE; (i.e., Borg CR-10 scale)), which was used to calculate session RPE-load as the product of post-session RPE and session DUR (sRPE=RPExDUR). A two-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) assessed differences in load metrics for pre-season practices, in-season practices, and matches (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis consisted of Tukey HSD.

Results: Athlete load metrics stratified by P1, P2, ISP, and matches are included in Table 1. During pre-season, P1 had higher sRPE-load (p=0.006) with greater TJ than P2 (p < 0.001). When compared to ISP, P1 had greater DUR and DTL (p < 0.001) while sRPE-load and TJ did not differ. P2 had greater DUR and DTL than ISP and lower TJ (p < 0.001). With the exception of match DUR exceeding ISP DUR (p=0.003), all remaining metrics for P1, P2, and ISP were greater than those of matches (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Findings indicate women collegiate volleyball athletes are exposed to higher pre-season and in-season practice loads than during matches. It is of interest that practice DUR decreased from pre-season to in-season but sRPE-load did not, which may be indicative of an increased practice intensity over a shorter time period.  PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: It is recommended that pre-season training serves to develop sport-specific fitness and skills needed to compete, while not inducing an excessive amount of stress that may require an extended recovery period. To reduce volume and intensity and promote recovery, the primary goal of in-season practices should be to refine technical and tactical strategies that are implemented during competition. Such an approach may help promote athlete well-being and improve sport performance throughout the season.

Acknowledgements: None