Training load and players’ readiness monitoring methods used in volleyball: a systematic review

Monitoring workloads during training and competition and players’ readiness seems to be key to increasing performance, reducing injury incidence and avoiding overtraining. We systematically reviewed the methods used to measure workloads and athletes’ readiness in volleyball to help coaches make the best decision when selecting monitoring methods. Databases Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and PubMed were searched from inception to the 21st of February 2022. All peer-reviewed original research in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, longitudinally monitoring loads and athlete readiness in indoor volleyball team settings of any level, gender and age were included. The quality of evidence was evaluated with a modified risk of bias assessment used in previous research by Castellano et al. (2014). This study has been registered in PROSPERO ID CRD42022316313. Out of 1774 records identified, 78 were screened of which 55 full texts were added for systematic review. For internal workload, the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) seems to be the “golden standard” used from 2010 to 2022 across all the studies. External workload has mainly been researched through quantified jumps. Even with technological advances and the introduction of microsensors in 2017, the use of video analysis is still present nowadays. Players’ readiness studies mainly used the total quality recovery scale (TQR) and wellness questionnaires in most research. New technological advances offer coaches more extensive and real-time data on external load. However, the use of the sRPE, TQR/WB, CMJ would create a monitoring system sufficient for teams at developmental stages and of a reduced cost.