Intensity-Modified Recreational Volleyball Training Improves Health Markers and Physical Fitness in 25-55-Year-Old Men

Abstract

The present study is aimed at determining the effects of intensity-modified recreational volleyball training on health markers and physical fitness in healthy middle-Aged men. Thirty-four healthy untrained men aged 25-55 years were randomized to either a modified recreational volleyball group (MRV, n=17) or a recreational volleyball group (RV, n=17). Both groups performed volleyball training twice a week over 12 weeks, with participants in MRV playing a modified game with higher intensity due to shorter breaks between rallies. The small to moderate improvements of both groups were observed in SBP (MRV gav=-0.50 [-0.67,-0.33] vs. RV gav=-0.37 [-0.55,-0.20]) to a similar extent (p=0.12). However, only the MRV significantly improved (p<0.001) the mean body weight (gav=-0.35 [-0.52,-0.18]) and BMI (gav=-0.39 [-0.56,-0.22]) to a moderate extent and the YYIR1 performance (gav=2.45 [2.22, 2.69]) to a large extent. Even though both groups significantly improved the rest HR, the mean change of rest HR was significantly greater in MRV as compared to the RV (p<0.001, ŋp2=0.47). The study revealed that an intensity-modified type of recreational volleyball, involving shorter breaks between rallies, improves cardiorespiratory fitness and health markers for men aged 25-55 years.