Energy requirements of elite volleyball players in training and competition

The purpose of this study was to determine the energy requirements of volleyball players under training and competition. Thirty-six elite volleyball players (n=36) who play at high levels of competition were separated into two categories according to their age: juniors (15-16yrs, n=20) and seniors (18-25yrs, n=16). The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured in the laboratory using the treadmill with simultaneous recording of the heart rate (HR). The concentration of lactate was measured by taking blood samples three minutes after maximum exertion. During competition, the heart rate was recorded by telemetry (Polar Sport Tester) and the lactate was measured immediately after the end of the match. In addition, both heart rate and lactate were measured in a simulation of competitive conditions during training. The results presented satisfactory levels of maximum oxygen uptake for both age groups (15-16yrs: 50.9 +/- 3.6ml/kg(-1)/min(-1) and 18-25yrs: 51.03 +/- 2.1 ml/kg(-1)/min(-1)). Furthermore, during the training as well as the match the values of oxygen consumption were in the range 34.2-52.4 and 36.2-54.2ml/kg(-1)/min(-1) (p<0.05), the heart rate was in the range 152-191 and 175-193b.min(-1) (p<0.01) and the blood lactate concentration was in the range 2.36-10.66 and 2.31-9.77mmol.l(-1) for the two age groups respectively. The above results indicated that volleyball, which is an exceptionally dynamic and explosive sport, uses more phosphocreatine than anaerobic glycolysis (lactate) and requires a satisfactory aerobic ability to replace anaerobic sources of high energy and keep the player active until the end of the match, which usually lasts about 90 minutes.