(61) IN-SEASON WORKLOADS BY POSITION AND SESSION TYPE IN MEN AND WOMEN COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

Purpose: To investigate the workloads of men and women collegiate volleyball (MVB, WVB) players throughout a competitive season, stratified by position and session type. Methods: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III men (n=19) and women (n=15) VB were assigned an inertial measurement unit containing a tri-axial accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer to wear in all practices (MVB: n=53; WVB: n=21) and games (MVB: n=14 WVB: n=15). Workload metrics included: Jumps, jumps 15+, jumps 20+, highest jump, landing ≥ 15 G’s, and landing ≥ 20 G’s. Separate multivariance analyses of variance models examined differences in workloads by position (outside hitter (OH), middle blocker (MB), setter (S), and opposite (OPP)) and session type (practice and games) in MVB and WVB players (p< 0.05). Results: Game workloads differed across positions for MVB and WVB (Table 1). While S recorded a higher total number of jumps (MVB: 156±62; WVB: 82±30), they exhibited lower jump heights (MVB: 79±4cm WVB: 48±5cm) and landing forces (MVB: 4.9%; WVB: 3.2%) compared to other positions (p< 0.001). In addition, significant differences were apparent between practice sessions and games for both MVB and WVB. In MVB, practice workloads were significantly higher (total jumps: 101±48; jumps 15+: 89±42; jumps 20+: 64±28; landings >15 G’s: 6.9±6.0%; landing >20 G’s: 2.5±3.2%) than game workloads (jumps: 73±29; jumps 15+: 64±27; jumps 20+: 54±24; landings >15 G’s: 5.6±5.5%; landing >20 G’s: 1.7±2.5%) (p< 0.01). However, highest jump height did not differ by session (p=0.898) for MVB. In WVB, jumps 20+ (5±7 vs 8±9, p=0.002), highest jump (56±5 vs 64±8 cm, p< 0.001), and landing >20 G’s (2.6±3.4% vs 3.5±4.0%, p=0.037) were lower in practices compared to games. Total jumps (p=0.113), jumps 15+ (p=0.739), and landing >15 Gs (p=0.130) did not differ by session. Conclusions: Workload differences were observed across positions and session type in both MVB and WVB. S positions completed more jumps throughout the season compared to other positions. Total jumps, jumps 15+, jumps 20+, and landings >15 G’s and >20 G’s were higher in practice for MVB. Jumps 20+, highest jumps and landings >20G’s were higher in games for WVB. Practical Applications: Individualized, position-specific workload management is essential for both MVB and WVB to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. Further, it may be advised that MVB receive adequate recovery before games due to their high-volume practice workloads. Conversely, WVB may benefit from higher practice workloads to ensure they are appropriately prepared to cope with game-load demands. Acknowledgements: None