Bernat Buscà

Which Skills and factors Better Predict Winning and Losing in High-Level Men's Volleyball?

Abstract Peña, J, Rodríguez-Guerra, J, Buscà, B, and Serra, N. Which skills and factors better predict winning and losing in high-level mens volleyball? J Strength Cond Res 27(9): 2487–2493, 2013—The aim of this study was to determine which skills and factors better predicted the outcomes of regular season volleyball matches in the Spanish “Superliga” and were significant for obtaining positive results in the game. The study sample consisted of 125 matches played during the 2010–11 Spanish mens first division volleyball championship. Matches were played by 12 teams composed of 148 players from 17 different nations from October 2010 to March 2011. The variables analyzed were the result of the game, team category, home/away court factors, points obtained in the break point phase, number of service errors, number of service aces, number of reception errors, percentage of positive receptions, percentage of perfect receptions, reception efficiency, number of attack errors, number of blocked attacks, attack points, percentage of attack points, attack efficiency, and number of blocks performed by both teams participating in the match. The results showed that the variables of team category, points obtained in the break point phase, number of reception errors, and number of blocked attacks by the opponent were significant predictors of winning or losing the matches. Odds ratios indicated that the odds of winning a volleyball match were 6.7 times greater for the teams belonging to higher rankings and that every additional point in Complex II increased the odds of winning a match by 1.5 times. Every reception and blocked ball error decreased the possibility of winning by 0.6 and 0.7 times, respectively.

Use of Heart Rate Variability in Monitoring Stress and Recovery in Judo Athletes

Abstract Morales, J, Álamo, JM, García-Massó, X, Buscà, B, López, JL, Serra-Añó, P, and González, L-M. Use of heart rate variability in monitoring stress and recovery in judo athletes. J Strength Cond Res 28(7): 1896–1905, 2014—The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of different judo training loads on heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, to determine if they can be used as valid indicators in monitoring stress and recovery in judo athletes. Fourteen male national-standard judo athletes were randomly divided into 2 groups, and each group followed a different type of training, namely, a high training load (HTL) and a moderate training load program (MTL). Data collection included HRV measurements, a Recovery Stress Questionnaire for athletes (RESTQ-SPORT), and strength measurements, 4 weeks before and after the training program. The HTL group had lower square root of the mean squared difference of successive RR intervals, very low frequency, high frequency, short-term variability, short-range scaling exponents, general recovery, sport-specific recovery, general stress, maximum strength, maximum power, and higher low/high frequency ratio at posttest compared with pretest (p ⩽ 0.05). The HTL group showed lower short-range and long-range scaling exponents, general recovery, sport-specific recovery, and higher general stress than the MTL group in posttest measurements (p ⩽ 0.05). In conclusion, judo athletes enrolled in an HTL program showed an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system with decreased vagal modulation, together with a decrease in strength parameters, higher markers for stress, and a lower perception of recovery.

The influence of serve characteristics on performance in men's and women's high-standard beach volleyball

Abstract The precise influence of serve type and serve ball speed on beach volleyball performance is unclear. We examined the relationship between serve type and speed and their effectiveness during the 2008 Mens and Womens Open World Tour Tournament. Three hundred and seventy-eight and 375 serves performed by men and women respectively from the main draw tournament were analysed. Serve speed was recorded using a radar gun. Two expert observers recorded serve speed, serve mode, serve effectiveness and rally outcome. There was no relationship between serve speed and its effectiveness for men (r = −0.047, P > 0.05) and for women (r = −0.048, P > 0.05). However, there was a relationship between serve ball speed and its effectiveness both for men and women, when speed was categorised into three groups. There was a better balance between negative and positive outcomes at medium speeds for men and at low and high speeds for women. There was a relationship between ranking and serve ball speed only for women and between ranking and type of serve for both genders. There was no relationship between rally outcome and serve effectiveness. The combination of high ball speed and jump serve is characteristic of high ranking women but not of men.

ACUTE EFFECTS OF JAW CLENCHING USING A CUSTOMIZED MOUTHGUARD ON ANAEROBIC ABILITY AND VENTILATORY FLOWS

The latest findings on the ergogenic effects of a dentistry-design, bite-aligning mouthpiece require additional research to assess its impact on anaerobic ability and ventilatory parameters. This paper was aimed at determining the ergogenic acute effects of wearing a custom-made mouthpiece on oral airflow dynamics, 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Test performance parameters. Twenty-eight healthy and physically-active male subjects (age: 24.50 ± 3.32, height: 181.34 ± 7.4, weight: 78.14 ± 8.21), were voluntarily studied. The subjects were first briefed on the test protocols, and then performed the 30s Wingate test and Spirometer test. The experimental trials were performed in a random counterbalanced order. We evaluate maximum expiratory volume (VEmax L min(-1)), mean power (W kg(-1)), peak power (W kg(-1)), time to peak (s), rate to fatigue (Ws(-1)) and lactate production (mMol L(-1)), rate of perceived exertion (RPE). There were significant differences between mouthguard and no-mouthguard conditions in mean power (W kg(-1)), peak power (W kg(-1)), time to peak (s), and rate to fatigue (Ws(-1)) for the 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Test. Significantly lower lactate production (mMol L(-1)) was observed, in mouthguard condition but no significant differences were found in RPE. In airflow dynamics, the VEmax L min(-1) was significantly higher when comparing the mouthguard and the no mouthguard conditions in both forced and unforced conditions. In conclusion, wearing a customized mouthguard improves anaerobic ability and increases forced expiratory volume. This study will help practitioners improve athletes performance in anaerobic activities where high intensity action might provoke jaw-clenching, contributing in reductions of lactate and fatigue, and improving ventilatory parameters.

Effects of Jaw Clenching While Wearing a Customized Bite-Aligning Mouthpiece on Strength in Healthy Young Men.

Abstract Buscà, B, Morales, J, Solana-Tramunt, M, Miró, A, and García, M. Effects of jaw clenching while wearing a customized bite-aligning mouthpiece on strength in healthy young men. J Strength Cond Res 30(4): 1102–1110, 2016—Recent studies have investigated the ergogenic effects of different types of mouthguards. There is evidence of the benefits of clenching customized mouthpieces on force and power development. The phenomenon called concurrent activation potentiation (CAP) promoted in jaw clenching seems to enhance the muscular strength and power in maximal isometric contractions and powerful actions in sport. Moreover, a bite-aligning mouthpiece may promote a more aligned and powerful clench. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of jaw clenching while wearing a customized bite-aligning mouthpiece (MP) on jump ability and isometric maximal strength tests in contrast to 2 other conditions: nonjaw clenching (NON-JAW) and jaw clenching without the mouthpiece (JAW). A within-subjects design was used to assess the jump performance and the maximal isometric force in 28 physically active male subjects. Statistical analyses revealed significantly higher performance in JAW and NON-JAW conditions for handgrip force (HG-peakforce) and all variables of the back-row exercise (BRW) and countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) (p ⩽ 0.05). Significant differences between NON-JAW and JAW were found for HG-peakforce (p ⩽ 0.05). These findings suggest that it is advisable to use a customized bite-aligning mouthpiece to improve strength and power performance.

Muscle activation in suspension training: a systematic review

Abstract Suspension training is an adjunct to traditional strength and conditioning. The effect of added instability on muscle activation during traditional exercises is unclear and depends on the exercise and type of instability. The purpose of this review was to compare the activations of different muscles in suspension training exercises and their traditional counterparts. A search of the current literature was performed without language restrictions using the electronic databases PubMed (1969—12 January 2017), SPORTDiscus (1969—12 January 2017) and Scopus (1969—12 January 2017). The inclusion criteria were: (1) descriptive studies; (2) physically active participants; and (3) studies that analysed muscle activation using normalised electromyographic signals during different suspension training exercises. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. For the push-up, inverted row, prone bridge and hamstring curl in suspension, the activation of upper-body and core muscles ranged between moderate (21–40% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)) and very high (>60% MVIC). Muscle activation in these same muscle groups was greater with suspension exercises relative to comparable traditional exercises, except for the inverted row. Muscle activation in the upper extremity and core muscles varied greatly amongst studies.

Asimetrías neuromusculares entre miembros inferiores en jugadores de hockey sobre patines. [Lower limb neuromuscular asymmetry in roller hockey players].

espanolEl objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar y cuantificar las asimetrias neuromusculares entre las extremidades inferiores que presentan los jugadores de hockey sobre patines. Un objetivo secundario fue correlacionar el indice de asimetrias (ASI) entre las diferentes pruebas neuromusculares testadas. Un total de 27 jugadores de sexo masculino de hockey sobre patines (edad = 20,59 ± 3,81 anos) realizaron diferentes pruebas neuromusculares de forma unilateral: 1) Test de salto vertical con contra-movimiento (SLCJ), 2) Bateria de saltos horizontales (Hop test: single, triple y crossover hop test) y 3) Prueba de velocidad con cambio de direccion (COD test). Se observaron diferencias significativas (p 10% en el test de SLCJ, situacion considerada como posible factor de riesgo de lesion. Solamente se obtuvo una correlacion significativa entre el SLCJ y el COD test. En consecuencia, y con el objetivo de identificar las asimetrias entre miembros inferiores, es importante considerar la valoracion de las diferencias capacidades neuromusculares. EnglishAbstractThe aim of the current study was to compare and quantify the neuromuscular lower limb asymmetries present in roller hockey players and its link to high risk of injury. A secondary purpose was to correlate the index of asymmetries (ASI) between the different neuromuscular tests performed. 27 male roller hockey players (age = 20.59 ± 3.81 years) performed the single leg countermovement jump (SLCJ), the Hop Test battery (single hop test, triple hop test and crossover hop test) and the change of direction test (COD test). Significant differences were observed (p 10% in the SLCJ, a situation considered as an injury risk factor. Only a significant correlation was obtained between the SLCJ and the COD test. Consequently, it is suggested that the complete neuromuscular profile between lower limbs be evaluated with the different tests, for both in the conditioning programs and in the injury prevention and return-to- play.https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2018.05406

What are the Most Widely Used and Effective Attack Coverage Systems in Men’s Volleyball?

Abstract In volleyball, attack coverage is one of the play actions most neglected in coaching and research. The purpose of this study was to find out which attack coverage systems are used by high-level men’s teams in different game situations and the characteristics of the most effective systems. We analysed 15 matches from the 2010 Men’s Pan-American Volleyball Cup, with a total of 1,415 coverage actions. Chi-square tests for independence, adjusted residuals analysis and calculations of standardised mean difference were performed. The results show that high-level men’s volleyball uses many coverage systems other than the traditional 3-2-0 and 2-3-0. At this level of play, the most frequent systems were 1-3-1 and 1-2-2, which occurred significantly often at the culmination of a third-tempo attack at the wing. The most effective systems consisted of three coverage lines, with fewer than five players covering the spiker and at least one player in the first coverage line, in both the attack and counterattack phases. Given the large number of coverage systems identified in different game situations, we recommend flexible, loosely structured training in these systems, based on a set of guiding principles that all players on a team must internalise for the specific position they are playing. Regarding the systems’ efficacy, the main watchword is that on each coverage line there should always be at least one player, but the first line should not be exposed.

Effects of jaw clenching wearing customized mouthguards on agility, power and vertical jump in male high-standard basketball players

Background/Objective Basketball players commonly use mouthguards for protecting their mouths from collisions with other players. Besides, literature reports that specific types of mouthguards may become an ergogenic device that facilitates a powerful jaw clenching, and a subsequent concurrent activation potentiation through this remote voluntary contraction of the mandible muscles. Methods A randomized within-subjects design was used to study the effects of this mechanism on muscular performance (vertical jump, agility, bench press power and leg press power) into two different conditions (mouthguard and no mouthguard) in high-standard basketball players (n = 13). A mean differences analysis and a responder analysis were conducted. Results Significant improvements were found (p < 0.05) in all vertical jump protocols using the mouthguard when compared to the no mouthguard conditions. However, no significant differences were found between the two conditions in agility and power (except in one load of bench press). Nevertheless, p-values were closer to statistical significance when analyzing the total time for the agility T-Test than when the first split time was under consideration (p = 0.111 and p = 0.944, respectively). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the use of custom-made, bite-aligning mouthguard had an ergogenic effect on jump outcomes and inconclusive results in agility T-Test in professional basketball players. From the results obtained in the present study, the use of this type of mouthguards seems to be more justified in power actions on the court than in the strength and conditioning sessions at the gym in well-trained players.

Relationship between agility and jump ability in amateur beach volleyball male players

Agility and quickness is required by the beach volleyball players, such as sudden falls, short sprints and jumps. The surface where the beach volleyball is played constitutes a different paradigm to study these actions. This paper analyses the relationship between the agility test and the ability to jump on the sand among beach volleyball players. The study also shows the relationship between the ability to jump on rigid and sand surface. Significant correlations were found between specific agility test and both jumps test on the sand and on the rigid surface (r=-0.62 and r=-0.75, respectively). Significant differences were also found in sand tests between the national-and regional-level players. In conclusion, there was a solid relationship between jumping ability and agility of beach volleyball players. Moreover, the results of the present study reflect a surface adaptation in jumping and agility actions of more experienced players.