Alexander Gil

Analysis of Declarative and Procedural Knowledge in Volleyball According to the Level of Practice and Players' Age:

The main objective of the research was to analyse the cognitive expertise of volleyball players, according to their level of practice and age, as well as to verify the existing difference in the knowledge of individuals of the same age but with different levels of practice. The study sample was comprised of 535 individuals ages 12 to 16 years. The independent variables were the level of practice, i.e., playing category in training and in competition (Under-14 and Under-16), and the age. The dependent variables were declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge. An analysis of variance was performed to examine the influence of the level of practice on the declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge of the volleyball players in training stages. There were significant differences both in declarative knowledge and in procedural knowledge according to level of practice. Significant differences were also observed between consecutive ages at different levels of practice. These results show that the level of practice in training and competition is a more relevant factor than the change of age in development of specific knowledge of the sport.

Analysis of the relationship between the amount of training and cognitive expertise. A study of young volleyball players.

Abstract Gil, A, Moreno, MP, Moreno, A, García-González, L, Claver, F, and Del Villar, F. Analysis of the relationship between the amount of training and cognitive expertise. A study of young volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 698–702, 2013—The main goal of this research was to analyze the relationship between the amount of practice accumulated in training and the level of cognitive expertise achieved by volleyball players who are still in training. Another goal was to determine the number of training hours per week needed to improve knowledge significantly. The studys sample was composed of 520 volleyball players between the ages of 12 and 16 years. The independent variable was the amount of training, defined as the number of weekly hours that the volleyball player devoted to training. The dependent variable was cognitive expertise, measured by declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge. A univariate analysis of variance was done to examine the relationship between the number of weekly hours and the declarative and procedural knowledge reached by volleyball players in the athletic formation training stages. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. There were significant differences in knowledge according to the number of weekly training hours (p < 0.001). These results confirm that there is a relationship between the quantity of practice and the development of cognitive expertise. It is recommended that young players dedicate at least 4 hours weekly to training to achieve a significant improvement in cognitive expertise.

Analysis of the variables that predict serve efficacy in young volleyball players

The main objective of this research study was to analyse, in volleyball, the prediction level of different serve variables on its efficacy. The sample was comprised of 2038 serve actions, corresponding to 36 female teams participating in the Spanish Championship female in 2010 in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories. The independent variables were: serve zone, serve type, striking technique, in-game role of the server, reception zone, receiver player and serve direction. The dependent variable was serve efficacy. The multinomial logistic regression applied showed that all the variables considered in the study, except for serve direction and striking technique, predicted the efficacy of serve. The probability of increasing serve efficacy was achieved through: executing standing serves, serving to the space between players and serve reception by players other than the libero. These results can guide coaches in volleyball player training processes, with respect to the serve action.

Rol de juego y características del saque en voleibol infantil femenino

The main objective of this study was to analyze the serve characteristics depending on the in-game role, in female formative stages. The sample was comprised of 1229 serves, corresponding to the observation of the 18 teams participating in the Under-14 category Spanish Championship in 2010. The studied variables were: in-game role, serve zone, serve type, striking technique, reception zone, receiver player and serve effectiveness. The results showed a significant association between the in-game role with serve zone, serve type, striking technique and serve effectiveness. However, there is not a association between the in-game with variables that reflect the intention to direct the serve to a specific players or specific area were found.