Impact of repeated short-term physical exercise on the level of selected technical skills in youth volleyball

Problem statement: Volleyball is a sport where players are engaged in short-term high-intensity physical exercise. One of the determinants of higher sports skill level may be the ability to maintain the effectiveness of performing technical elements despite increasing fatigue due to physical exercise.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of repeated short-term physical exercise on the level of selected technical skills in youth volleyball.

Approach: The study involved 20 volleyball players aged 13 to 18 years from the UKS "Błyskawica" Szczecin club. The study evaluated the impact of physical exercise on the basic techniques of volleyball: an overhand serve, reception using a forearm pass, setting the ball using an overhead pass, and a one-hand spike. Each form was examined by first performing a control test and then three research tests, each preceded by an exercise test that included elements of jumping to block and various forms of moving. Statistical analysis was performed by assessing the normality of distribution (Shapiro-Wilk test) and using Friedman ANOVA (with no normal distribution = p < 0.05) and ANOVA analysis of variance for repeated measures (normal distribution = p > 0.05).

Results: The results did not show any significant statistical differences between the control test and the research tests in the measurements of the overhand serve, forearm pass, and one-hand spike. Analysis of the setting using an overhead pass revealed a statistically significant small increase in the results obtained between the control test and the third research test.

Conclusion: The results of the study showed that repeated short-term physical exercise does not negatively affect the level of effectiveness of basic techniques performed by adolescent volleyball players. Further research on the impact of physical exercise in volleyball conducted in other research groups seems necessary.