Physiological responses of water-polo players under different tactical strategie.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of defense tactical strategy on physiological responses characterizing playing intensity in water-polo game. In the first part of the study, fourteen players were assigned to defending (n = 7) and offending (n = 7) groups and participated in nine 4-min plays applying three different defending systems: press, static-zone and zone-press, in front of the defense court of one goalpost. In the second part, 18 players participated in nine different real full court water-polo games consisting of 3X15min of live-time playing periods. Both in defense court plays and real games, the three defense systems were played in a counterbalanced order and heart rate (HR) was continuously recorded. Additionally, in defense court plays, blood lactate concentration (La) was measured at the end of each 4-min period. Mean HR within defense court plays was higher in press (153 ± 10 beats(.)min(-1)) than in static-zone (140 ± 11 beats(.)min(-1)) and zone-press (143 ± 16 beats(.)min(-1), p < 0.01). Furthermore, shorter amount of playing time was spent with HR ≤85% of HR peak in press (46.3 ± 22.8%) than in static-zone (81.8 ± 20.5%) and zone-press (75.7 ± 32.0%, p < 0.01). Likewise, mean La was higher in press (6.5±2.9 mmol(.)l(-1)) than in static-zone (4.7 ± 2.5 mmol(.)l(-1)) and zone-press (4.6 ± 1.8 mmol(.)l(-1), p < 0.01). In real games, however, mean HR was similar between tactical strategies (p > 0.05). Defenders and offenders showed similar HR and La responses across the tactical modes. In conclusion, defense tactical strategies affect physiological responses within a part of the game but do not affect the overall playing intensity of a real water-polo game. Tactical strategies similarly affect offenders and defenders. Key pointsWithin defence court plays, exercise intensity in press is higher than zone-press and static zone tactical systems.In real game the physiological response is similar between defense systems.Tactical strategies similarly affect offenders and defenders.
Department of Aquatic Sports, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Athens , Athens, Greece.
Petros G
PG
Botonis
Department of Aquatic Sports, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Athens , Athens, Greece.
Argyris G
AG
Toubekis
Department of Aquatic Sports, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Athens , Athens, Greece.
Theodoros I
TI
Platanou
Team-sports; game demands; tactical systems