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

Jamel Halouani; Cyrine H’mida; Khaled Trabelsi; Cain C.T Clark; Jordan Glenn; Hamdi Chtourou

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2023.114291

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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1/2023
vol. 40

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abstract:

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}

Research Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, LR19JS01. Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Tunisia
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK
Department of Health, Exercise Science Research Center Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
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; ƞ_p² = 0.77, ƞ_p² = 0.65, ƞ_p² = 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:

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

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

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}