Abstract

CARVALHO, Carlos; VIEIRA, Luísa  and  CARVALHO, Alberto. Assessment, control and monitoring of physical condition of the senior national portuguese male volleyball team - season of 2004 . Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2007, vol.7, n.1, pp.68-79. ISSN 1645-0523.

The present study had the following goals: (i) to adjust proceedings of assessment and control of the volleyball players’ physical abilities, in order to get valuable and recognized data, both in the  laboratory and through field tests, about their performance in fitness condition; (ii) to contribute to the prescription of training programmes; (iii) to monitor the results of physical fitness of the senior national Portuguese male volleyball team and to quantify the changes between two moments of evaluation; (iv) to establish national reference of the main characteristics and athletic abilities required in volleyball. The sample involved 10 athletes that played in the National Volleyball Team in the season of 2004. The players were submitted to anthropometric measurements (weight and height) along with the assessment of the main physical abilities. In the maximal strength evaluation, the athletes performed the following tests: leg extension (isometric) and leg press (dynamic), for muscular power we used the medicinal ball. In the assessment of the maximal vertical jump they performed: squat jumps (SJ); drop jumps of 40cm (DJ), counter movement jumps (CMJ); and spike and block counter movement jumps. The isokinetic force of extensors and flexors of the knee (90 and 360º/sec) was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The athletes used the Japanese test, 10 metres sprint and "take-off reactive test" to assess speed; the Yo-Yo test was used to assess the intermittent aerobic endurance and the Shoulder rotation and frontal flexion of the trunk to measure flexibility. The assessment took place in March and July 2004 at the Human Movement Laboratory, the Institute of Maia. All values of general average and pattern deviations were reported. Significant differences between both periods of assessment were calculated using the student’s test-t (paired). Examining the results we can report that the athletes of the National Team showed very similar results in both periods of assessment. Such fact is confirmed since the big majority of variables did not show significant differences (only 3 exceptions in 26) (p≤.05).  We can observe an increment of the average values of isometric maximal force of 3,3% (147,5 vs 152 kg) and gains of dynamic force of 5,7% (229 vs 242 kg) that were statistically significant (p=.028). In the isokinetics force of antagonist muscles we have found an increase of both limb muscles and angular speeds. In none of the tests of vertical impulsion strength could we confirm significant differences. We have found percentage gains of : 3,6; 1,7; 1,1 and 2% respectively in SJ (41,1 up to 42,6 cm), in DJ (39,7 up to 40,4 cm), in CMJ (43,5 up to 44 cm) and in PMM (38,7 up to 39,5 cm). However the impulsion tests of the more specific movements like spike and block CMJ observed a slight decrease of about 2,3 and 1,8%, (55,1 down to 53,8 cm) in the first test and in the second one the results were of 68,8 down to 67,5 cm. The endurance results in the second period of assessment were better; to be exact, they were of 612 to 688 metres, increase of 12%. Generally, we can say that the physical condition of the National Volleyball team has showed some improvement, i.e., it is stronger and more powerful and showing better endurance.

Keywords : assessment of physical fitness; characteristics and athletics abilities in volleyball; Sport Performance; volleyball.

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