Quantification of match and training workload by position in Korean professional men's volleyball players

This research aimed to quantify match workload by position among Korean Men’s Professional Volleyball League (KOVO) players during the regular season. A secondary aim was to provide information about the workload requirements during pre-match warm-up and training sessions. This study involved three liberos (L), three setters (S), eight outside or right-side hitters (OH/RS) and five middle blockers (MB). Playing minutes (PM), total jumps, low-band jumps, medium-band jumps, high-band jumps, explosive efforts (EE) and repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIE) were objectively quantified as external workloads through a wearable activity monitor. During matches, S had the highest loads of total jumps (p < 0.001) and medium-band jumps (p < 0.001). MB performed the most high-band jumps (p < 0.001) with the highest EE (p < 0.001) and RHIE (p < 0.001). PM was shorter in training than in matches for all positions, but variables like medium-band jumps, EE and RHIE were higher in training compared to matches. S had the highest pre-match workload for total, low and medium band jumps (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). OH/RS had the highest high-band jumps (p < 0.001), while L had the highest load for EE (p < 0.001) and RHIE (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that volleyball workload demands differ by position during matches and pre-match warm-ups, underscoring the importance of designing position-specific training programs.