Juan José Molina Martín

Reception is a critical determinant of success in elite volleyball, yet the combined influence of serve trajectory and contact point remains underexplored, particularly in women's competitions. This study analysed how the interaction between serve trajectory (origin and destination zones) and the receiver's contact point affects reception quality in high-level women's volleyball. It was hypothesised that receptions performed with middleline contact would achieve higher performance than those executed with lateral or low contacts, regardless of serve trajectory. A total of 39,974 receptions from the Olympic Games and Volleyball Nations League (2021 and 2024) were evaluated using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models (multinomial, binomial, and ordinal). The results showed that receptions after serves from zone 6 and made with contact on the centre line achieved significantly higher performance. In contrast, those directed towards zones 5 and 3, especially with low or lateral contacts, performed worse. When we understand how the serve zone, the reception zone and the point of contact with the ball are connected, reception is no longer seen as a mechanical gesture but as a dynamic process where technique and tactics come together. This understanding guides us towards training and strategies more connected to the essence of the game.

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of maturation and relative age on the anthropometric variables and physical performance of young elite volleyball players according to sex and playing positions. The sample included 207 girls (13.59 ± 1.74 years) and 59 boys (14.30 ± 1.48 years) who were selected to participate in the 2020–2025 Spanish National Volleyball Programme. Maturity status was estimated using a non-invasive method (percentage of predicted adult height). Relative age was calculated based on date of birth and expressed as decimal age (0–0.99). The physical tests carried out were spike jump reach, vertical jump, 3 × 9, and strength–endurance–agility–coordination (FRAC) tests. The results showed that there was no impact of the interaction between maturity status and relative age on physical performance, except in the 3 × 9 test by boys in the wing-spiker position. Moreover, maturity status had a greater influence on physical test performance than that of relative age. Specifically, maturation served as a statistically significant positive predictor of height in the SJR test for girls who were all-around players, explaining 71.58% of the variance. In addition, an advanced maturity status correlated with better physical performance outcomes, especially in the all-around player and wing-spiker playing positions in boys and the middle-blocker and all-around player playing positions in girls. Coaches and stakeholders should implement strategies to reduce bias, especially regarding maturation, with the aim of retaining the most physically talented late-maturing players, considering differences by playing position and sex.

Maturation is one of the determining factors in talent identification and development systems. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of maturity status and anthropometric variables on the physical performance of young volleyball players. The sample included 278 volleyball players (217 girls, 13.63 ± 1.73 years; and 61 boys, 14.27 ± 1.46 years) who were selected to participate in the 2020–2025 National Programme organised by the Spanish Volleyball Federation. Maturity status was estimated using the Khamis-Roche equation based on the percentage of predicted adult height. The physical tests evaluated were vertical jump, spike jump reach, 3 × 9 and FRAC. The results showed that an advanced maturation is associated with increased physical performance in young volleyball players. Specifically, ‘maturity status’ was strongly and positively associated with the VJ (p < 0.001), SJR (p < 0.001) and 3 × 9 (p < 0.001) tests in both boys and girls, and ‘height’ was associated with the VJ (girls, p < 0.001; boys, p < 0.01), SJR (p < 0.001, both) and 3 × 9 (girls, p < 0.001; boys, p < 0.01). ‘Body mass’ correlated with vertical jump tests (VJ and SJR), especially in girls (p < 0.001). Moreover, the maturity status in relation to age served as a predictor of physical performance in the SJR test explaining up to 57.93% and 62.00% of the variance in boys and girls respectively. Coaches and technical staffs should rethink the tests used in talent identification in order to avoid confusing the player's current potential with the future sporting level through actions such as adapting the training process or implementing educational initiatives in relation to maturation.

This study introduces the critical individual contribution coefficient (CR-ICC), a novel metric that evaluates player effectiveness in critical moments of the game. We analyzed 16,631 technical actions from the top eight teams across 77 sets of the 2019 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship, ensuring data quality through inter- and intra-observer reliability. Traditional variables such as points scored, attack and reception efficiency, and balance were examined. Python programming was utilized to calculate the values of CR-ICC, which consider the contextual variables of set period, score difference, competitive load, and opponent’s level. Akaike’s and Bayesian information criteria, along with Nagelkerke’s coefficient of determination, were employed. Binomial logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves estimated the probability of victory associated with each variable. Interactive dashboards were developed, enabling dynamic analysis and data visualization. Statistically significant differences were observed in all variables (p < 0.05), except for reception efficiency (p < 0.05), at both the team and individual player levels. At the team level, points scored, attack efficiency, and balance exhibited the highest predictive abilities, with CR-ICC also demonstrating a strong predicting ability. The proposed CR-ICC has remarkable potential as a strategic asset for coaches, enabling the identification of players who excel in critical moments of the game.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of different contextual variables on winning volleyball sets. The variables were selected based on their significance as determined by expert coaches. The sample consisted of 1,849 sets, representing all matches played in both categories during the 2022 and 2023 Volleyball Nations League and the 2021 Olympic Games. To analyse the variables, multivariate logistic regressions and Markov chains were applied. The results showed that opponent level explained 21.6% of the variability found; being especially relevant when playing against opponents separated by two competitive levels. Winning the previous set increased the chances of winning the next set by 7.83%. Leading the score at the end of both set periods enhanced the likelihood of winning the set, reaching 87.12% when finishing ahead in both periods. Moreover, at the end of the second period, each additional point increased the likelihood of winning the set by 1.54%. These results signify an advancement in comprehending the impact of contextual variables on winning high-level volleyball sets.

Low back pain (LBP) is known to affect cyclists. This study aimed to describe perceived lumbar dysfunction and compare the pain sensation in recreational cyclists who practice road and mountain biking. Forty males were randomly assigned to carry out a 3-h road cycling (RC) and mountain biking (MTB) time trial (TT) at submaximal intensity. LBP and pain pressure threshold (PPT) were measured before and after the TT. A significant increment at the LBP was found after RC TT (p < 0.001; d = 2.61), similar to MTB TT (p < 0.001; d = 2.65). However, PPT decreased after completing the RC TT (p < 0.001; d = 1.73) and after MTB TT (p = 0.024; d = 0.77). There were no differences in the LBP evolution between both interventions (p > 0.01). Low back pain perception increases with cycling in recreational cyclists. Nevertheless, this increase appears to be more related to the traits of the cyclist than the modality practiced.

El objetivo de este estudio, fue investigar la asociación de la zona de recepción con el rendimiento del remate considerando el impacto de la rotación, en equipos de voleibol masculino de alto nivel. Fueron analizados 29 partidos de selecciones internacionales masculinas de máximo nivel, obteniendo una muestra de 3689 remates en la fase de KI. Las variables analizadas fueron: la rotación del equipo en recepción, la zona de recepción y el rendimiento del remate. Se emplearon modelos de regresión ordinales para determinar la influencia de la zona de recepción y la interacción de la rotación en el rendimiento del remate. Los resultados mostraron interacciones significativas entre la rotación y la zona de recepción, que permiten entender la mayor o menor probabilidad de conseguir un mejor rendimiento en remate (p<0.001) en algunas de las rotaciones. En conclusión, el rendimiento del remate es diferente en función de la interacción de la rotación del equipo y de la zona de recepción, lo que podría asociarse con decisiones tácticas en la ejecución del saque. Palabras clave: Rendimiento deportivo, complejo 1, rotación, ataque, zona de recepción, saque The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the reception zone and the spiking performance in each of the game rotations in top level men's volleyball teams. The sample consisted of 29 men´s matches of final phases in Olympic Games, World League and World Cup between 2012 and 2016, obtaining a sample of 3,689 spikes in the K1 phase. The variables analyzed were: the rotation of the reception team, the reception area and the spike performance. Ordinal regression models were used to determine the influence of the receiving zone and the interaction of rotation on spike performance. The results show significant interaction between the rotation and the reception area on spike performance (X²₄₆ = 127.885; p <.001; r2 = .036), which allow us to understand the greater or lesser probability of achieving a better spike performance in some of the rotations. In conclusion, the performance of the spike varies depending on the interaction of the rotation of the team and the reception area, but this relation in global level, only explain 3.6% of the variance of the spike. The analysis of the situations in which significance has been found could be associated with strategic decisions in the execution of the serve and the training of the K1. Keywords: Sport performance, side out, rotation, attack, reception zone, serve

The main objective was to know the elite coaches’ opinions regarding the relevance, definition, and importance of volleyball contextual variables to measure individual performance in competition. After performing a literature review, an instrument to gather the opinion of the world’s elite volleyball coaches was elaborated by four volleyball specialists. The sample of experts consisted in 20 world’s elite volleyball coaches who met at least three experience years in first division or national teams. The instrument collected experts’ information on the contextual variables in relation to relevance, definition, and importance. Cronbach’s α and Aiken’s V coefficient were used to test the reliability and content validity of the contextual variables, respectively. To compare the importance of the contextual variables U de Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Results showed that opposition level, set period, score difference, results of the previous set, competitive load variables, high level, final periods ≥20, and high load categories were relevant (Aikens V > 0.70). In addition, high level, final period ≥20 and ≥+10, and high load categories were significantly more important (p < 0.05). We conclude that, according to the elite coaches, the contextual variables should not be analyzed separately. Future studies should consider contextual variables dynamically.