Elite hit ball performance profile: technical and tactical, and heart rate aspects, and effects of competition on jump and strength performance

This study aimed to define a performance profile of elite hit ball matches. Eighty-six male Italian Serie A hit ball players (29.3±5.0 yrs) participated in the study. A technical and tactical analysis (18 indicators) was performed on eleven matches; heart rate (HR) was monitored during matches on 25 players; countermovement jump (CMJ) and maximal grip strength (GS) were measured on all participants before and after match. Differences (P<0.05) between winning (W) and losing (L) teams for technical and tactical analysis (Chi-square), and between match phases for HR, CMJ, and GS (ANOVA for repeated measurements) were tested. Hit ball teams meanly performed 297±10 rallies per match (W: 41±6 goals; L: 23±3 goals, P=0.042). No differences between quarters emerged for HR (171-190 bpm for 57±21 % of match duration). Opposite trends emerged for CMJ (after: 36.2±6.3 cm; before: 33.1±4.8 cm; P=0.001) and GS (after: 433±102 N; before: 463±98 N; P=0.018) performances. Findings show that hit ball is performed at high HR intensity, and that CMJ improves and GS declines after matches. This could be determined by a neuromuscular activation of lower limbs and repeated harm concussions due to shots.