ORIGINAL PAPER
Position-specific training demands: a longitudinal analysis of internal and external load in elite female volleyball athletes
1
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2
Exercise Psychophysiology Laboratory – Laboratório de Psicofisiologia do Exercício (LaPE) – UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3
Strength and Conditioning Coach of Women’s Rio de Janeiro Volleyball Club, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4
Department of Sport Didactics, Wrocław University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
5
Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
6
Graduate Program in Environmental and Society of State University of Goiás (UEG), Academic Institute of Health and Biological Sciences. Southwest Campus, Quirinópolis, Brazil
7
Escuela de Ingeniería de Construcción y Transporte, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
8
Graduate Program at Evangelical University of Goiás – UniEVANGÉLICA, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
9
Biometry Laboratory – Laboratório de Biometria (Ladebio) – UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Submission date: 2025-08-22
Acceptance date: 2025-12-12
Online publication date: 2026-05-13
Corresponding author
Eduardo Matta Mello Portugal
Física e Desportos (EEFD) from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 540 – Cidade Universitária, 21941-599 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Física e Desportos (EEFD) from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 540 – Cidade Universitária, 21941-599 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
The present study aimed to investigate the external and internal load responses based on the moment in the season, types of training, and positions of an elite women’s volleyball team.
Methods:
This descriptive longitudinal study investigated training load responses in 14 female athletes from an elite Brazilian volleyball team over a 40-week period, consisting of a 20-week preparatory phase and a 20-week competitive phase. External load was measured with G-VERT Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), while internal load was assessed using the session-RPE method and the Borg CR-10 scale. Data were analysed using a two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction and a Tukey HSD post hoc test.
Results:
The pre-competition period had significantly higher training loads than the competition period. We found that jump-heavy training sessions induced greater internal and external loads for attackers and setters (p < 0.001), whereas líberos were uniquely more challenged by low-jump training sessions (p < 0.001). When comparing training sessions and games, games consistently showed higher internal and external loads. Position-specific analysis revealed that middle blockers and setters experienced higher external loads, while líberos had significantly higher internal loads.
Conclusions:
We conclude that the season period, training type, and player position are critical variables influencing training load responses. These findings highlight the specific physiological and tactical demands on líberos and middle blockers, who respond differently from other positions.
The present study aimed to investigate the external and internal load responses based on the moment in the season, types of training, and positions of an elite women’s volleyball team.
Methods:
This descriptive longitudinal study investigated training load responses in 14 female athletes from an elite Brazilian volleyball team over a 40-week period, consisting of a 20-week preparatory phase and a 20-week competitive phase. External load was measured with G-VERT Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), while internal load was assessed using the session-RPE method and the Borg CR-10 scale. Data were analysed using a two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction and a Tukey HSD post hoc test.
Results:
The pre-competition period had significantly higher training loads than the competition period. We found that jump-heavy training sessions induced greater internal and external loads for attackers and setters (p < 0.001), whereas líberos were uniquely more challenged by low-jump training sessions (p < 0.001). When comparing training sessions and games, games consistently showed higher internal and external loads. Position-specific analysis revealed that middle blockers and setters experienced higher external loads, while líberos had significantly higher internal loads.
Conclusions:
We conclude that the season period, training type, and player position are critical variables influencing training load responses. These findings highlight the specific physiological and tactical demands on líberos and middle blockers, who respond differently from other positions.
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