Tracking External Training Loads in Volleyball in Terms of Player Positions

Cengiz AKARÇEŞME, Filiz Fatma ÇOLAKOĞLU, Hasan AKA, Emre ALTUNDAĞ, Giovanni MIALE, Giovanni GUIDETTI

Abstract

The objective of this study is to define the loads in elite woman volleyball players in terms ofplayer positions by following-up the external training loads using Local Positioning System. A total of 14players (age = 26.57 ± 4.01) from the Vakıfbank women's volleyball team in the Vestel Venus SultansLeague who were playing in the libero (2), setter (2), middle blocker (4), outside hitter (4) and opposite (2)positions participated in the study voluntarily. Permission was granted by the Gazi University EthicsCommittee (date: 16.02.2021 number: 03) to conduct the study. The external training loads of the participants(Total time, Total distance, High metabolic Load distance, Accelerations and Decelerations) were determinedin 27 trainings sessions during the competition period by Kinexon Player Tracking system which was 3D and could measure with less than 10 cm error margin. Descriptive information was used to determine the externaltraining loads of the players in terms of positions. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that, in termsof High metabolic load distance variable, the highest training loads were on the athletes playing in the outsidehitter and opposite positions , in terms of Total distance variable, on those playing in the outside hitter andopposite positions , in terms of Total time variable, on those playing in the outside hitter, setter and oppositepositions, in terms of accelerations variable, on those playing in the opposite position and in terms ofdecelerations variable, on the athletes playing in the opposite, setter and middle blocker positions.Consequently, it was determined that external training loads of the volleyball players differed in terms ofplayer positions. It can be stated that especially front zone players are exposed to more training loads involleyball. It is believed that knowing that external training loads differs according to player positions canprovide trainers with the opportunity to develop a training periodization according to player positions. Involleyball, it can be suggested that the trainers apply different loads according to the positions of the playersin training. Structured Abstract: Training load tracking has been frequently used especially in team sports for differentpurposes such as improving the performances of athletes and preventing the risk of injury recently (Brito et.al, 2016). Training load tracking is evaluated as internal and external training load measurement methods(Akubat et. al, 2018). In the measurements of external training load, factors such as the distance athletes take,speed and training time are focused on. External training load tracking of the practitioners can be done real timely during trainings and competitions with the increase of the use of micro technology in sports [strengthmeters, global positioning system (GPS) devices and accelerometers] (McGuigan, 2017). In this regard, theobjective of this study is to track the training load of an elite women volleyball team in competition periodaccording to player positions.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, elit kadın voleybolcularda antrenman dış yükünün Local Konumlandırma Sistemi ile takip edilerek oyuncu mevkilerine göre yüklerin tanımlanmasıdır. Çalışmaya Vestel Venüs SultanlarLiginde bulunan Vakıfbank kadın voleybol takımından libero (2), pasör (2), orta oyunucu (4), outside smaçör(4) ve pasör çaprazı (2) mevkilerinde oynayan toplam 14 (yaş= 26,57 ± 4,01) kadın sporcu gönüllü olarakkatılmıştır. Çalışmanın yapılabilmesi için Gazi Üniversitesi Etik Komisyonu’ndan (tarih: 16.02.2021 sayı:3)gerekli izin alınmışıtr. Katılımcıların antrenman dış yükleri (Toplam zaman, Toplam mesafe, Metabolik yük,Hızlanma ve Yavaşlama) müsabaka dönemindeki 27 antrenmanda Kinexon Player Tracking sitem ile üçboyutlu, 10 cm’den az hata payıyla ölçüm yapabilen sistemle belirlenmiştir. Voleybolcuların antrenman dışyüklerinin mevkilere göre belirlenmesinde tanımlayıcı bilgiler kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analizler sonucunda enyüksek antrenman yüklerinin, metabolik yük ve Toplam mesafe değişkenlerinde; smaçör ve pasör çaprazımevkilerinde, Toplam mesafe değişkeninde; Toplam zaman değişkeninde; smaçör, pasör ve pasör çaprazı,hızlanma değişkeninde; pasör çaprazı, Yavaşlama değişkeninde ise pasör çaprazı, pasör ve orta oyuncumevkilerinde oynayan sporcularda olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak voleybolcuların antrenman dışyüklerinin oyuncu mevkilerine farklılık gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Voleybolda özellikle ön bölgeoyuncularının daha fazla antrenman yüklerine maruz kaldığı söylenebilir. Voleybolcuların oyuncumevkilerine göre antrenman dış yüklerinin farklı olduğunun bilinmesi, çalıştırıcılara sporcuların mevkilerinegöre antrenman periyotlaması yapma imkanı verebileceği düşünülmektedir. Voleybolda antrenörlerinantrenmanlarda oyuncuların mevkilerine göre farklı yüklenmeler uygulamaları önerilebilir.