Claudio, L., Stanganelli, R., & Zucas, S. M. (2004). Monitoring physiological adaptations in male volleyball athletes during a microcycle of preparation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 2079.

This study monitored the training adaptations on the sympathetic nervous system through the urinary excretion of the vanil mandelic acid (VMA) in male athletes of the under-19 years old Brazilian national team (N = 17) during the preparation for the 2001 World Championships. The intensity (HR/bpm) and volume (number of repetitions of each skill) of each session were evaluated. Athletes were classified as setters, middle-blockers, and outside-hitters. Data were collected in four different microcycles in the 22-weeks long macro cycle. Overnight urine samples were collected in the morning after a normal night of rest for the determination of VMA values.

There were no significant differences for VMA excretion in mg/l and total VMA excretion between the three classifications of players. VMA excretion in mg/l and total VMA excretion decreased significantly during each microcycle.

Implication. The short periods of intense effort alternated with short periods of recovery, that characterize a volleyball microcycle, seemed to represent strong stimuli for the sympathetic nervous system as verified by VMA excretion.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.