Effects of Concurrent Strength and High-Intensity Interval Training on Fitness and Match Performance in Water-Polo Players

Influence of Surface Structure on Ball Properties during a Professional Water Polo Game

The use of modern materials in sports, in terms of chemical composition and surface texture, entails both progress in results and an increasing discrepancy in the technical parameters of the equipment used. This paper aims to demonstrate the differences between balls admitted to a league and world championships in composition, surface texture, and the influence of these parameters on the water polo game. This research compared two new balls produced by top companies producing sports accessories (Kap 7 and Mikasa). To obtain the goal, the measurement of the contact angle, analysis of the material using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and optical microscopic evaluation were used. The analysis of the surface free energy shows significant differences (Kap 7 32.16 mJ/m², Mikasa 36.48 mJ/m²). In the case of both balls, anisotropies of the structure of the furrows were observed, however, the Mikasa ball is slightly more homogeneous than the Kap 7 ball. The obtained results from the analysis of the contact angle, as well as the composition and real feedback from the players, indicated the need to standardize the material aspect of the regulations so that the sports results are repeatable every time.

Effects of Playing Position and Contextual Factors on Internal Match Loads, Post-Match Recovery and Well-Being Responses of Elite Male Water Polo Players

This study aimed to investigate the effects of playing position and contextual factors (match outcome, final score difference, match location, travel duration, number of scored and conceded goals) on the internal match load, players' perceived recovery and players' well-being. The session-RPE (s-RPE), Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) and Hooper Index (HI) of 17 male elite water polo players were monitored during all matches (regular season and play-out) of the 2021/22 Italian Serie A1 championship. Three separate, mixed linear models for repeated measures showed significant main effects: drawn compared to won matches led to higher s-RPE values (mean ± SE = 277 ± 17.6 vs. 237.3 ± 20.6), while longer travel duration (estimate = -0.148) and goals scored (estimate = -3.598) led to lower s-RPE values; balanced compared to unbalanced matches led to higher PRS values (mean ± SE = 6.8 ± 0.3 vs. 5.1 ± 0.4), while playing time (estimate = -0.041) and goals scored (estimate = -0.180) led to lower PRS values; higher scores of the HI were registered for regular season compared to the play-out (mean ± SE = 15.6 ± 0.9 vs. 13.5 ± 0.8). This study marks the importance of ecological and non-invasive monitoring tools to assess internal match load, recovery and the well-being of elite water polo players.

Biomechanical Assessment of Throwing Gesture and Performance in Female Water-Polo Players

Water-polo is an aquatic sport based on the high level of coordination of several body movements, frequent changes in positions, speeds, and directions. Considering technical and tactical aspects, the power, the force, and the shot accuracy have been identified as important skills and specific training programs can be scheduled with the attempt to improve them. Moreover, the biomechanical investigation of kinematic parameters during the shot can contribute to the evaluation of player’s throwing performance and to the description of gesture. The principal aim of the current study is the comparative analysis of throwing kinematics in three different types of shots. Eleven female players were evaluated before and after 45 days of a specific water-polo training. In the experimental tests, three types of shots were performed, shoulder and elbow angles and throwing velocity were analyzed. In addition, power and precision parameters were estimated to describe players’ throwing performance. During the passing-feint shot, a significant lower maximum velocity (before: 14.7 m/s; after: 13.9 m/s; p-value = 0.005) and a higher shoulder angle (before: 56.7°; after: 63.9°; p-value = 0.003) were observed. During the passing-spontaneous shot, players’ precision showed a tendency to increase after the training (score before: 9.0; score after: 11.0 score; p-value = 0.05). This study proved the feasibility of an objective biomechanical assessment of the throwing kinematics and throwing performance of water-polo players, in ecological conditions.

Acute and Long-Term Effects of Concurrent Resistance and Swimming Training on Swimming Performance

Dry-land resistance exercise (RT) is routinely applied concurrent to swimming (SWIM) training sessions in a year-round training plan. To date, the impact of the acute effect of RT on SWIM or SWIM on RT performance and the long-term RT-SWIM or SWIM-RT training outcome has received limited attention. The existing studies indicate that acute RT or SWIM training may temporarily decrease subsequent muscle function. Concurrent application of RT-SWIM or SWIM-RT may induce similar physiological alterations. Such alterations are dependent on the recovery duration between sessions. Considering the long-term effects of RT-SWIM, the limited existing data present improvements in front crawl swimming performance, dry-land upper and lower body maximum strength, and peak power in swim turn. Accordingly, SWIM-RT training order induces swimming performance improvements in front crawl and increments in maximum dry-land upper and lower body strength. Concurrent application of RT-SWIM or SWIM-RT training applied within a training day leads in similar performance gains after six to twelve weeks of training. The current review suggests that recovery duration between RT and SWIM is a predisposing factor that may determine the training outcome. Competitive swimmers may benefit after concurrent application with both training order scenarios during a training cycle.