Background: Regular physical activity practice is considered an important factor in the population's health and quality of life promotion. In order to evaluate a population's physical activity level (PAL), many instruments are used, among them the IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Objectives: To evaluate the PAL of Physical Education (PE) undergraduate students concerning gender and study year as well as to compare the PAL of these students with others from different health/ biology courses. Methods: Two hundred and eighty subjects; being 194 PE students (100 men and 94 women) and 86 students (17 men and 69 women) of other courses (Pharmacy; Biochemistry, Dentistry and Biology). The instrument used to measure the PAL was the IPAQ in its short version. Results: Among the PE students, it was found that 92% of them were classified as active or very active; however, there was no significant difference (p > 0,05) between male and female groups. Concerning the other courses, it was observed that the female sample is less physically active than the male one (p < 0,05). Considering the whole group in the category Active/ Very Active, the Biology (86,9%) and PE students (90%) were classified as more active than the Biochemistry (56%) and Dentistry (61,1%) ones. However, there was no significant difference (p > 0,05). Conclusions: Generally, male students have a higher level of physical activity than female ones; the undergraduate students did not show similar patterns of PAL and this level remains constant during the PE course.

The ITL variables, recovery, and physical performance changed significantly throughout a professional volleyball season. Despite the decrease in ITL during the main competitive period, the correct distribution of weekly ITL seems to be very important to guarantee the best recovery of athletes.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between training load (TL) and physical performance, biochemical markers, and psychological stress during a short preparatory period (PP) in Brazilian elite male volleyball players. Twelve volleyball players from a team competing in the Brazilian Men's Volleyball Super League were enrolled (26.9 ± 4.6 years). Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Creatine Kinase (CK), Testosterone (T), Cortisol (Cr), T/Cr ratio, and Recovery and Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) were collected at baseline, after 2, 4, and 6 week. TL was quantified daily using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Differences were noted between Total Weekly TL (TWTL) (F3,33 = 50.907; p = 0.0001), CK (F3,33 = 16.157; p = 0.0001), and T (F3,33 = 3.283; p = 0.03). No differences were seen in CMJ (F3,33 = 1.821; p = 0.16), Cr (F3,33 = 2.409; p = 0.08), or T/Cr ratio (F3,33 = 1.527; p = 0.23). The RESTQ-Sport demonstrated differences between moments in Social Stress (F3,33 = 2.297; p = 0.04; Eta = 0.25), Success (F3,33 = 4.350; p = 0.01; Eta = 0.19), General Well-being (F3,33 = 4.465; p = 0.01; Eta = 0.36), and Injury (F3,33 = 2.792; p = 0.05; Eta = 0.62). The results showed a significant correlations of small to moderate magnitude between TWTL and CK (r = 0.32; p = 0.05). In conclusion, a short PP in volleyball leads to increased TL, CK level, and psychological stress. TL was related with the increase of CK, suggesting muscle damage without increased of physical performance.

Introduction Monitoring training loads, along with the recovery status, is important for preventing unwanted adaptations. Knowledge of these variables over volleyball seasons is still scarce. Objective To monitor and describe the training load and recovery status of volleyball players over a competitive season. Methods The sample consisted of 14 professional volleyball players. For the entire season, the training load was monitored daily by the SPE method during the session, and the recovery status was monitored by TQR and QBE on the first and last days of training for the week. Results There was a decrease in training load between Preparatory Period I and Competitive Period I (p = 0.03), followed by an increase in Preparatory Period II (p <0.001) and a new decrease in Competitive Periods II (p = 0.01 ) and III (p = 0.003). There was a significant reduction between Pre-TQR and QBE and Post-TQR and QBE in all mesocycles. In the Pre-TQR, there was a reduction between Preparatory Period II and Competitive Period II (p = 0.006), in the Pre-QBE, there was a reduction between Preparatory Period II and Competitive Period III (p = 0.002), and in the Post-TQR, this reduction was observed between Competitive Period I and Preparatory Period II (p = 0.03). In the Post-QBE, there was an increase between Preparatory Period I and Competitive Period I (p = 0.002), followed by a decrease in Preparatory Period II (p = 0.01). Conclusion Loads varied throughout the season, along with recovery, which varied according to the loads and characteristics of each period. Level of evidence I, Therapeutic Studies – Investigating the Results of Treatment.

Andrade, DM, Fernandes, G, Miranda, R, Reis Coimbra, D, and Bara Filho, MG. Training load and recovery in volleyball during a competitive season. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 1082–1088, 2021—The objective of this study was to analyze the training load (TL) and recovery status (RS) of a volleyball team in different periods of the season. Fifteen male athletes participated in the study. Training load was quantified through the rate of perceived exertion of session. The total weekly TL of the preparatory period (PP), competitive period I (CPI), and competitive period II (CPII) was calculated. Total quality recovery was used to evaluate the initial and final RS. Training load was higher (p < 0.05) in PP than in CPI and CPII. The final RS was lower (p < 0.05) in PP than in CPI and CPII. There was a difference (p < 0.05) between the initial and final RS in the analyzed periods. An inverse correlation (ρ: −0.62) was observed between the TL and the initial and final difference RS in PP. In conclusion, PP in volleyball presented the highest TL, related to a greater difference between the initial and final RS.