Efeito de um jogo simulado de voleibol no desempenho do bloqueio de centrais

Abstract

The high volume of offensive and defensive actions during a volleyball match may lead to a decline in middle blockers’ blocking performance throughout the sets. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of a simulated volleyball match on reaction time, displacement speed, and jump power during middle blockers’ blocking actions. Nineteen athletes, ten males and nine females (age: 21.5 ± 3.5 years, height: 179.5 ± 8.4 cm, and body mass: 73.3 ± 14.1 kg), participated in the study. Three visits were conducted: the first for sample characterization and familiarization, and the second and third for performing the simulated volleyball match. Tests assessing reaction time, displacement speed, and blocking jump power were applied at the end of the warm-up and at the end of each set of the simulated match. Data from the second and third visits were analyzed to assess inter-visit and intra-evaluator reproducibility, while data from the third visit were used to examine the effect of a simulated volleyball match on reaction time, displacement speed, and blocking jump power. Initially, an analysis comparing the results of both groups (males and females) at each game moment was performed. Since no interaction between groups and game moments was observed (p > 0.05), the data were analyzed as a single group (pooling data from males and females). Both inter-visit and intra-evaluator reproducibility were confirmed (p > 0.05). Blocking power and jump height decreased in the 2nd (p = 0.028 and 0.017, respectively) and 3rd sets (p = 0.023 and 0.016, respectively) compared to the warmup. Reaction time and blocking displacement speed remained stable throughout the match (p = 0.070 and 0.845, respectively). Furthermore, the percentage variation in blocking power and jump height in each set relative to the warm-up differed between sets (p = 0.013 and 0.014, respectively). The reduction in blocking power and jump height was greater in the 2nd (p = 0.031 and 0.029, respectively) and 3rd sets (p = 0.031 and 0.036, respectively) when compared to the 1st set. No significant differences were observed in the percentage variation of reaction time and displacement speed in each set relative to the warm-up (p = 0.056 and 0.944, respectively). These findings suggest that, although reaction time and blocking displacement speed remain stable across sets, a simulated volleyball match negatively affects blocking jump power and height in the 2nd and 3rd sets, leading to a decline in middle blockers’ overall blocking performance.