MONITORING REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL AND ATHLETICS ATHLETES (PILOT STUDY)

This study investigates the repeated sprint ability (RSA) of university athletes from volleyball and track and field, aiming to monitor their performance and optimize training programs. The study involves seventeen athletes, divided into volleyball and track and field groups, undergoing a series of repeated maximal sprints with minimal recovery. The activity involves seven repeated sprints across a 20m straight line. The variables captured for the study were anthropological (height, weight and sitting height), physiological (RHR, PHRavg, blood sugar (pre and post), fatigue index (10m and 20m)) and skill performance variables (average time, total time, maximum time and speed (10m and 20m)). The procedure for data analysis involved frequency, mean, standard deviation, zscore, independent and dependent t-test. The independent t-test result revealed that there were significant differences in the skill performance variables (Average time (20m), p = 0.03; Total time (20m), p = 0.03; Maximum time (20m), p = 0.01; Speed (20m), p = 0.00) between the volleyball and athletics athletes. The dependent t-test showed that there were significant differences between the physiological (Fatigue index (10m vs 20m), p = 0.01; Average time (10m vs 20m), p = 0.00; Total time (10m vs 20m), p = 0.00; Maximum time (10m vs 20m), p = 0.00; Speed (10m vs 20m), p = 0.00) and skill performance variables considered for the study. The study provides valuable insights into the distinct RSA profiles of university athletes, offering practical implications for enhancing training programs and athletic performance through sport-specific monitoring and targeted interventions.