Biology of Sport

Abstract

1/2023 vol. 40
Original paper

Physiological responses of small-sided vs. regular games in youth volleyball players

Jamel Halouani 1, 2
,
Cyrine H’mida 1, 3
,
Khaled Trabelsi 1, 3
,
Cain C.T Clark 4
,
Jordan M. Glenn 5
,
Hamdi Chtourou 3, 6
  1. Research Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, LR19JS01. Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
  2. Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia
  3. Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
  4. Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK
  5. Department of Health, Exercise Science Research Center Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
  6. Physical Activity, Sport, and Health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport, Tunis, Tunisia
Biol Sport. 2023;40(1):303–309.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2023.114291
Online publish date: 2022/05/10
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two different formats of small-sided games (SSGs; 2 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 3) on physiological parameters in youth volleyball players. Twelve youth volleyball players (17.2±7.44 years, 1.89±0.6 m, 72.83±8.57 kg) completed three different games formats (regular game (RG): 6 vs. 6, SSG3: 3 vs. 3 and SSG2: 2 vs. 2). associated with two pitch dimensions (i.e., 2 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 3 on 18×4.5 m; 6 vs. 6 on 18×9 m). Each player performed 4×5 min SSG with a recovery period of 1 min between bouts. All players were members of the same youth team and played in a professional league. They had at least 6 years of volleyball training and no current injuries. This study was carried out during the competitive period. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([La−]), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Compared to RG, physiological (i.e., HR and [La−]) and RPE responses were significantly higher during SSG3 and SSG2 (all p < 0.05; ƞp2 = 0.77, ƞp2 = 0.65, ƞp2 = 0.30, respectively). Moreover, HR and RPE were significantly higher in SSG2 compared to SSG3. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in [La−] between SSG2 and SSG3. These results suggest that the number of players influences the exercise intensity in small-sided volleyball games in youth players. Therefore, coaches could benefit from incorporating SSGs to manipulate the exercise intensity in youth volleyball players.

Keywords

Small-sided games, Regular game, Physiological responses, Volleyball, Youth

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