Beach volleyball as a sport has evolved to be included as part and parcel of the mainstream sporting world. There are a variety of standard tests that are used to reveal the core requirements expected of the beach volleyball players. The most important trait expected of a player in this field is the jumping ability. Here, there are two major tests conducted to examine the requirements of the players. These are the Squat Jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). The former is a test that reveals the players’ concentric strength and power, while the latter test is a measure of a players’ reactive strength (Riggs & Sheppard, 2009). All these tests focus on the lower body, which is essential in any form of volleyball.
In regards to the physiological requirements of beach volleyball players, there are variations dictated by the genetic makeup of the players, the professional level of play and the process involved in selecting the players (Lidor & Ziv, 2010). The average height of the players IS 190 CM, with the average elite player weighing 90 kgs. The squat jump (SQJ) is an important physiological measure. An elite player has an SQJ height of 55 cm, and 43 cm for men and women respectively. An elite player has a squat jump maximum power (Pmax) of 62 W/kg for men and 51 for women. Besides, a player has a counter movement jump (CMJ) height of 63 cm for men and 47 for women (Fuchslocher et al., 2003). The CMJ Pmax for men is 61 W/kg for men and 51 W/kg for females. The CMJ Block height for men is 70 cm, while the women post a 55 cm value (Fuchslocher et al., 2003).
There are a variety of biomechanical tests an elite beach volleyball player is subjected to. An essential aspect of these tests, however, is the measurement of muscle strength (Rodríguez Ruiz, 2012). Just like in every other sport, muscle strength is critical in determining the success level of the players (Medeiros, Marcelino, Mesquita, & Palao, 2014). Isokinetic bench press levels are used to measure the muscle strength of the beach volleyball players. An elite player is expected to have an average bench press of 40.7 kg, and 144.5 kg leg press value (Lidor & Ziv, 2010). The measures indicated above are viewed as the minimum value of the most successful players.
The physiological traits are critical for achieving success in beach volleyball, but the role played by psychological aspects cannot be underestimated. There are no specific measures of the psychological requirements, but there are critical elements that indicate the mental ability of the players to succeed in the game (Ehgotz & Walker, 2014). One aspect is mental toughness, which shows the ability of the player to focus and be attentive to the essential dimensions of the game. Besides, an elite player is expected to maintain a high level of confidence, which supports self-belief and the ability to carry out strategies and skills successfully (Ehgotz & Walker, 2014). An elite player is also expected to bear the capacity to relax. This entails finding the right level of arousal, which leads to optimum performance. Imagery is another psychological measure expected of elite players, and this entails being able to visualize, such that skills and tactics are effectively carried out (Ehgotz & Walker, 2014).
The reliability and validity of the tests carried out for elite beach volleyball players is a contested issue. Because the tests take an experimental approach while using a big number of subjects, the results are reliable (Riggs & Sheppard, 2009). Due to the use of different methodologies in running the tests, the validity and reliability of the tests are often questioned. The physiological, biomechanical and psychological profiling of elite volleyball players is important since the results inform the actions taken by coaches and players. Using the results from the tests, coaches and players can adjust their strategies and training regimes to yield excellent performing players (Fuchslocher et al., 2003).
Bibliography
Ehgotz, M., & Walker, S. (2014). 5 Keys to Mental Toughness in Volleyball. Retrieved August 18, 2016, from Podium Sports Journal: http://www.podiumsportsjournal.com/2014/12/16/the-top-5-mental-skills-for-volleyball-training/
Fuchslocher, J., Praz, M., Flaction , P., Dériaz, O., & Russell , A. (2003). Physiological characteristics of elite male and female beach volleyball players. Macolin, Switzerland: Swiss Olympic, Office fédéral du sport.
Lidor, R., & Ziv, G. (2010). Physical and physiological attributes of female volleyball players-a review. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24(7), 1963-1973.
Medeiros, A., Marcelino, R., Mesquita, I., & Palao, J. (2014). Physical and temporal characteristics of under 19, under 21 and senior male beach volleyball players. Journal of sports science & medicine 13(3), 658- 665.
Riggs, M. P., & Sheppard, J. (2009). The relative importance of strength and power qualities to vertical jump height of elite beach volleyball players during the counter-movement and squat jump. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise 4(3), 221-236.
Rodríguez Ruiz, D. (2012). The tensiomyography used for evaluating high level beach volleyball players. Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine 18(2), 95-99.
