Ukljucite javascript
Register Log in

Archive > Year 2009, Number 3

Cardiovascular And Metabolic Requirements Of Water Polo


Authors

Platanou Theodoros

Abstract

This study is a review of literature related to the energy mechanisms that are used during a water polo game, and it also provides the structure of technical and tactical game activities of water polo players so that useful training conclusions can be drawn. Based on the evidence derived from this review, the mechanisms responsible for the availability of water polo energy and the percent contribution of the aerobic and anaerobic mechanisms rely on the methodological approach and the defensive system of the game. However, as it appears in all of the studies reviewed, the aerobic as well as the anaerobic alactic mechanisms predominate over the anaerobic lactate mechanism. In addition, this review demonstrates that the intensity of the game is reduced, resulting in the increase of the contribution of the aerobic and, in parallel, the decrease of the anaerobic mechanism, in the following situations: 1) in the last minutes of the 4 x 9 minutes' periods in comparison to the 4 x 7 minutes' periods; 2) in the last period of the game compared to the first periods in contrast to the goalkeeper's performance intensity which does not differ from period to period; 3) in games with lower levels of competitiveness compared to the games of higher level; while 4) there are no differences in the intensity of the game (energy requirements) between players of different positions and different levels even though players of a higher level swim considerably faster.

For the water polo training plan, the primary informative sources need to be taken into consideration, i.e. the physiological demands of the game based on the differences in game durations, the period of the game, the level of competitiveness of the players, the level of competitiveness of the teams, and the different player positions.

Keywords

water polo energy demands, time motion analysis, game duration, period of the game, level of competitiveness, level of athletes, position of players

Download full article

References

  1. Avlonitou, E. (1991). Energy requirements and training considerations in competitive water polo games. Proceedings in the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) First Water Pοlo Coaches seminar, (pp. 139-150). Athens. Lausanne: FINA.
  2. Balsom, P. D., Seger, J. Y., & Sjodin, B., & Ekblom, B. (1992). Maximal-intensity intermittent exercise: effect of recovery duration. Int J Sports Med., 13: 528-33.
  3. Bangsbo, J., Norregaard, L., & Thorso, F. (1991). Activity profile of competition soccer. Can J Appl Sport Sci., 16: 110-116.
  4. Block, J. E., Friedlander, A. L., Brooks, G. A., Steiger, P., Stubbs, H. A., & Genant, H. K. (1989). Determinants of bone density among athletes engaged in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing activity. J. Appl. Physiol., 58: 262-65.
  5. Boobis, L. H., Williams, C., & Wooton, S. A. (1982). Human muscle metabolism during brief maximal exercise. J Physiol (Lond)., 338: 21-2.
  6. Cazorla, G., & Montpetit, R. (1988). Metabolic and cardiac responses of swimmers, modern pentathletes, and water polo players during freestyle swimming to a maximum. In Ungerechts, B., Wilke, K., Reischle, K. (Eds). Swimming Science V, (pp. 251-257). Champaign: Human Kinetics.
  7. D’ Auria, S., & Gabbett, T. (2008). A time-motion analysis of international women's water polo match play. Int J Sports Phys Perform., 3(3): 305-319.
  8. Dlin, R., Dotan, R., Inbar, O., Rotstein, A., Jacobs, I., & Karlson J. (1984). Exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to exercise in a water polo team. Med Sci Sports Exerc., 16(3): 294-298.
  9. Dopsaj, M., & Matkovic, I. (1999). The structure of technical and tactical activities of water polo players the first Yugoslav league during the game. In Keskinen, K., Komi, P., & Holander, A. (Eds.). Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming VIII. Department of Biology of Physical Activity, (p. 435). Finland: University of Jyvaskula, Jyvaskula.
  10. Freund, H., Zouloumian, P., Oyono, S., & Lambert E. (1984). Lactate kinetics after maximal exercise in man. Med Sport Sci., 17: 9-24.
  11. Goodwin, A. B, & Cumming G. R. (1966). Radiotelemetry of the electrocardiogram, fitness tests and oxygen uptake of water polo players. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 95: 402-406.
  12. Hohmann, A., & Frase, R. (1992). Analysis of swimming speed and energy metabolism in competition water polo games. In MacLaren, D., Reilly, T., & Lees, A. (Eds). Swimming Science VI: Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, (pp. 313-9). London: E & FN Spon.
  13. Hollander, A. P., Dupont, S. H. J. & Volterijk, S. M. (1994). Physiological strain during competitive water polo games and training. In Miyashita, M., Mutoh, Y., and Richardson, A. B (Eds). Medicine and Science in Aquatic Sports, (pp.178-185). Basel: Krager.
  14. Malomski, J., Ekes, E., Nemeskeri, V., & Unyi, G. (1982). Study of anaerobic energy expenditure: Some new aspects. Hungarian Rev Sports Med., 23: 245-248.
  15. Marrin, K., & Bampouras, T. M. (2007). Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of elite female water polo players. In Marfell-Jones, M., & Olds, T. (Eds). Kinanthropometry X, (pp. 151-164). Glasgow: Routledge.
  16. Mc Innes, S. E., Caplson, J. S., Jones, C. J., & McKenna, M. J. (1995). The physiological load imposed on basketball players during competition. J Sports Sci., 13: 387-397.
  17. Petric, T. (1991). Testing the players to improve coaching. Proceedings of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) First World Water Polo Coaches seminar, (pp. 131-8). Athens, Lausanne: FINA.
  18. Pinnington, H., Dawson, B., & Blanksby, B. (1987). Cardiorespiratory responses of water polo players performing the head-in-the-water and the head-out-of-the-water front crawl swimming technique. Austral J Sci Med Sport., 19: 15-19.
  19. Pinnington, H. C., Dawson, B., & Blanksby, B. A. (1988). Heart rate responses and the estimated energy requirements of playing water polo. J Hum Mov Stud., 15: 101-118.
  20. Platanou, T., & Thanopoulos, V. (2002). Time analysis of the goalkeeper’s movements in water polo. Kinesiology, 34: 94-102.
  21. Platanou, T., & Nikolopoulos, G. (2003). Physiological demands of water polo games with different levels of competitiveness. Ιn Chatard, J. C. (Eds.). Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming IX, (pp. 493-498). Saint-Etienne: University of Saint Etienne.
  22. Platanou, T. (2004). Time motion analysis of international level water polo players. J Hum Mov Stud., 46: 319-331.
  23. Platanou, T., & Geladas, N. (2006). The influence of game duration and playing position on intensity of exercise during match-play in elite water polo players. J Sports Sci., 24: 1173-1181.
  24. Platanou, T., & Geladas, N. (2006). The influence of competitiveness on match exercise intensity in elite water polo players. In Vilas-Boas, J.P., Alves, F., & Marques A. (Eds.). Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming X, (pp.163-166). Porto: Portuguese Journal of Sport Science.
  25. Platanou, T., Grasso, G., Cufino, B., & Giannouris, Y. (2007). Comparison of the offensive action in water polo games with the old and the new rules. In Kallio, J., Komi, P., Komulainen, J., & Avela, J. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 12th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
  26. Platanou, T. (2009). Physiological demands of water polo goalkeeping. J Sci Med Sport., 12: 244-250.
  27. Radovanovic, D., Okicic, T., & Ignjatovic, A. (2007). Physiological profile of elite women water polo players. Acta Medica Medianae, 46(4): 48-51.
  28. Rechichi, C., Dawson, B., & Lawrence, S. R. (2000). A multistage shuttle swim test to assess aerobic fitness in competitive water polo players. J Sci Med Sport., 3: 55–64.
  29. Reilly, T., & Thomas, V. (1976). A motion analysis of work rate in different positional roles in professional football match-play. J Hum Mov Stud., 2: 87-97.
  30. Rodriguez, F. A. (1994). Physiological testing of swimmers and water polo players in Spain. In Miyashita, M., Mutoh, Y., & Richardson, A. B. (Eds.). Medicine and Science in Aquatic Sports, (pp. 172 – 7). Basel: Karger.
  31. Rodriguez, F. A., & Inglesias, X. (1999). Cardiorespiratory demands and estimated energy cost in water polo games. In Parisi, P., Pigossi, F., & Prinsi, G. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 4th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Rome: University Institute of Motor Sciences.
  32. Sardella, F., Alippi, B., Rudic, R., Castellucci, G., & Bonifazi, M. (1990). Analisi fisiometabolica della partita. Tecnica Nuoto, 21-24.
  33. Smith, H. (1991). Physiological fitness and energy demands of water polo: time motion analysis of goaltenders and field players. Proceedings of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) First World Water Polo Coaches seminar, (pp. 183-207). Athens. Lausanne: FINA.
  34. Smith, H. K. (1998). Applied physiology of water polo. Sports Med., 26: 317–334.
  35. Spriet, L. L. (1992). Anaerobic metabolism in human skeletal muscle during short-term, intense activity. Can J Physiol Pharmacol., 70: 157-65.
  36. Takagi, H., Nishigima, T., Enomoto, I., & Stewart, A. M. (2005). Determining factors of game performance in the 2001 World Water Polo Championships. J Hum Mov Stud., 49 (5): 333-352.
  37. Thoden, J. S., & Reardon, F. D. (1985). Quarterly aerobic and anaerobic assessment and specificity training of the National Water polo Team: Effects on performance capacity (abstract). Can J Appl Sport Sci., 10: 33.
  38. Tsekouras, Y., Kavouras, S., Campagna, A., Kotsis, Y., Syntosi, S., Papazoglou, K., & Sidossis, L. (2005). The anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of elite water polo players. Eur J Appl Physiol., 95: 35-41.
  39. VanGool, D., VanGerven, D., & Boutmans, J. (1988). The physiological load imposed on soccer players during real match-play. In Reilly T, Lees A, Davis K, Murphy W.J. (Eds). Science and Football, (pp. 51-59). London: E & FN Spon.
  40. Varamenti, E., & Platanou, T. (2008). Comparison of anthropometrical, physiological and technical characteristics of elite senior and junior female water polo players: A pilot study. The Open Sports Medicine Jounal, 2: 50-55.