Development of Specific Resistance in Junior Volleyball Players

Abstract

Problem: Puberty age is considered the age of the first performances. Due to the mobility of cortical nerve processes and their functional ability, the rapid alternation of excitation and inhibition occurs in the motor areas of the cortex, which ensures synchronised contraction and relaxation of the muscle groups with contradicting actions, the right responses to excitations. So, physical training must be adapted to different age categories applying methods and means proper for these categories. Purpose: The research purpose is to optimise the training process of volleyball players in order to improve specific and general resistance. Premises: By using methods, techniques and specific means adapted to particularities of junior II players, the intended goals will be accomplished and consequently the quality of motor resistance specific to volleyball game will be improved. Research methods: bibliographic documentation; observation; motor testing; statistical and mathematical method; graphical method. Discussion and conclusions: By the end of this period, after the age of 15, special attention can be paid to the development of general resistance and specific speed resistance, based on the individualised training for setters - speed resistance, and for spikers - jump resistance. Specific training is done relying on general training. In the volleyball game, for each training period, complex methods have also to be set. Their percentage depends on the training period, players’ particularities, main goals, etc. The selected ways for accomplishing the goals have been efficient, well dosed, which is highlighted by the progress obtained and the quality of executing the technical procedures.

Keywords: Specific resistance, juniors, volleyball game

1. Introduction

Contributing to health maintaining, to a harmonious development of the body, to develop some

body qualities necessary for human activity and also to obtain sports performances, physical training is

deemed to be an essential factor for sports and physical education activities.

Puberty age is considered the age of the first performances. Due to the mobility of the cortical nerve

processes and their functional ability, the fast alternation of excitation and inhibition occurs in the

motor areas of the cortex, which ensures synchronised contraction and relaxation of the muscle groups

with contradicting actions, the correct responses to excitations.

Multilateral physical training underlies specific physical training. Without multilateral physical

training, specific physical training cannot be accomplished under optimal conditions.

In the first training periods of the volleyball player, multilateral physical training has an important

share (Cojocaru & Cojocaru, 2009: 64). This training is uninterrupted in the next periods, including

high performance athletes, of course with a lower share.

The orientation of the physical training has to be made considering the other training components

(technical, tactical and mental ones), its contribution to consolidating and harnessing the technical-

tactical efficiency being special. It becomes obvious the necessity of applying the principle of

concentric training (Bril & Kleshev, 1988: 84).

Physical training has to be adapted to different age categories by applying proper methods and

means.

Resistance is the actuating quality by which physical effort is performed for a long time, without

decreasing its efficiency. In the game, the volleyball player performs a big number of rapid movements

(starts, stops, ball hitting) combined with repeated jumps for attacking and blocking actions, acyclic

movements made in rounds of intense effort and interspersed with short breaks.

Repeating these rounds too many times in a game needs specific training resistance. Resistance has

to be prepared according to the intensity and duration of the effort. To obtain special results in

developing resistance, it is necessary to apply a variety of methods and ways.

Rapid execution of a movement series in which technical procedures are simulated by applying a

focused game (without breaks, in which the “out of play” ball is replaced with another ball when the

mistake has been made), or performing a number of technical-tactical actions within a time limit (for

example, 10 attack strikes within 30-40 seconds) by a player, are examples of ways used for

developing specific resistance.

2. Materials and methods

During the experiment, the following research methods were used: bibliographic documentation;

observation; actuating tests; statistical and mathematical method; graphical method. The experiment

was performed with Dinamo Bucharest Men’s Volleyball team, players aged between 15-17 years. The

experiment was developed during one competition year (2013/2014) and had as goal the increase of

actuating indexes specific to junior volleyball players’ resistance.

The sample included in the research was composed of 24 volleyball players, junior category, a quite

large group, which can be explained by the three age categories:15, 16 and 17 years. During the

training period, all components of sports training were endorsed, but the emphasis was put especially

on physical training and consequently on resistance development. In May, control tests were again

applied in order to observe the progress compared to the first test, and also the differences between the

final result and the model presented by the Romanian Volleyball Federation for this age category. The

methods and means used were the ones recommended by the specialized literature.

By the end of this period, after the age of 15 years, special attention can be paid to developing

general resistance and specific speed resistance. Individual training can be performed for setters - speed

resistance, and for spikers - jump resistance. Specific training is done relying on the general training

(Bompa, 2003: 205).

Developing resistance presumes using many methods, because using only one it is not possible to

determine the corresponding effects (Baechle & Earle, 2000: 31). In fact, the outstanding results

obtained in athletic resistance tests show the usefulness of resorting to a wide variety of methods.

Method of variable training Hindering method Method of long-term effort Interval training Control method Tempo method Contest method Circuit training method

2.1. Selecting exercises

Exercises for specific resistance

game, several sets (6-10); game with a reduced number of team players; game at the end of the training under fatigue; game with reducing duration, number of sets, but with introducing some game fragments in a very

fast tempo;

the same, but when the game ends in sets with 4-0 or 3-1, it is decided by adding points, including the ones from very rapid game fragments;

game with handicap and reducing the duration of some sets; there are played five sets alternatively, each team starts with a five points advantage. It can be given pauses between the sets at team’s request;

4 to 4 normal game and with a thrown ball (combined); there are played 4 sets until 11, the usual odd, the even ones with a thrown ball. It will be considered the methodical guidelines provided at

the previous exercise.

3 to 3 game with common setter: the attack is made only beyond the attacking line. The setter moves beneath the net to help organise the attack of each team; the attack is made in a different

direction than the impetus (for advanced players), simulating the attack in the other direction. There

will be used short sets until reaching 11 points.

2 to 2 game with the same setter (for advanced players) is played on the whole court between the attack line and the end line. There will be used short sets, until 7 or 9 points. Four teams can play simultaneously on half of court-long divided;

Exercises for specific resistance of front-row players

Displacement by transversal jumps over the gym bench (timed) (Fig. 1);

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Individual alternative blocking actions on areas 2 and 3, with a maximum number of trials established in a fixed amount of time. At the beginning, the working time will be 30 sec, gradually

increasing. It is executed by touching the ball held over the net (Fig. 2);

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Repeated jumps in the same place, by touching maximum height; as many executions in 30-50 sec; a ball is placed or a sign is marked on the basketball backboard at the height of the maximum jump

without impetus, that the players must reach;

Circuit around the net, with front row actions, working on 5 workshops (Fig. 3):

workshop 1: two attacks from position 4;

workshop 2: two players in blocking action on opponent’s position 2;

workshop 3: players in backing movement from the net to the attacking line trying to receive the

ball from opposite attack hit;

workshop 4: blocking action in position 4;

workshop 5: attack hit in position 2;

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3. Results

At the end of May, there were applied the final tests on somatic, actuating and technical tests, and

the results obtained were compared with the initial ones, registering progress, also with the model of

the Romanian Volleyball Federation, recording the differences. The results obtained were also analysed

from a statistical point of view, both initially and also finally.

4. Discussions and conclusions

On actuating level for extension, within the initial testing, the average value is 43.63cm, with a

standard deviation of 0.57cm. The coefficient of variation indicates a value of 1.30, which shows the

high degree of homogeneity of the experiment group.

The final test presents the average value of the experimental group, 47.13cm, and a standard

deviation of 0.64cm. The coefficient of variation indicates a value of 1.35, which demonstrates a high

degree of homogeneity.

For lateral displacement, within the initial testing, the average value is 20.04, with a standard

deviation of 0.11. The coefficient of variation indicates a value of 5.53, which shows the high degreeof

homogeneity of the experiment group and a deviation from the average of 0.04.

Final testing presents the average value of the experimental group, 25.54, and a standard deviation

of 1.30. The coefficient of variation indicates a value of 0.09, which demonstrates a high degreeof

homogeneity and a deviation from the average of 0.05.

In this test, the difference between the final result and model is 0.83 sec, which states that the

teacher has to insist more on developing actuating qualities.

During the match, the volleyball player performs a big number of rapid movements (starts,

displacements, stops, ball hits) combined with repeated jumps for attack and block actions, acyclic

movements made in rounds of intense efforts and interspersed by short breaks (Balaiş & Păcuraru,

1997: 92).

While there are several key elements in designing a weight training program for the volleyball

player, perhaps the most critical is improving the vertical jump. A well-designed program which does

this includes specific exercises for developing core strength while minimizing risk of injury. Core

strength includes not only the legs and back, but the abs as well (Fleck & Kraemer, 2004: 78).

While plyometrics is an exceptional way to improve the vertical leap, it requires a foundation of

strength to be built to be used effectively, and, once again, with far less chance of injury (Gonzales-

Badillo et al., 2005: 690). The most basic exercise to strengthen the connective tissue as well as build

an overall foundation of strength is the squat. For the first several phases of the program, it will be

done in a slow and controlled manner, to not only build strength but to teach proper form.

Therefore, increasing training volume does not always provide a better stimulus for improving

adaptations during a long-term competitive period (Hoff, Gran, & Helgerud, 2000: 290).

In the volleyball game, for each training period, the method complex has also to be set. Their share

depends on the training period, on the players’ peculiarities, on the main goals, etc.

It is recommended to use many methods: interval, circuit, variable training, tempo, control methods.

According to tasks, the means used and the training period, some methods can prevail over the others.

The effort made by front-row players is anaerobic, and for the back-row players the effort is aerobic,

so the training of specific resistance has to take also into consideration this aspect. To obtain special

results in developing the resistance, it is necessary to apply a wide variety of ways and means.

By the end of this period, after turning 15 years old, special attention can be paid to developing

general resistance and specific speed resistance, based on the individualized training for setters – speed

resistance, and for spikers – jump resistance. Against the background of general training, it is

performed specific training. It is observed a visible progress between the two tests, which demonstrates

that the training process was well-planned and organised, and the most efficient teaching tools were

used. The selected means for accomplishing the goals have been efficient, well dosed, which is

highlighted by the progress obtained and the quality of executing the technical procedures.

References

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• Hoff, J., Gran, A., & Helgerud, J. (2000). Maximal strength training improves aerobic endurance performance. Scand Med Sci Sports, 12(5), 288-295.