Impact of game and competition factors on serve and attack speed in volleyball

Objective of the study: The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the influence of player positions, match progression, and league level on attack speed in volleyball players, with the goal of identifying key factors that contribute to improved attack performance and reduced injury risk. Methods and organization of the study: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted based on 15,347 serves recorded in official matches of men’s and women’s teams across different Turkish divisions (Sultans League, Women’s 1st and 2nd Leagues, Efeler League, Men’s 1st and 2nd Leagues). A multifactorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to evaluate the effects of the main factors (position, set, league type) and their interactions. Serve types were classified as jump float, jump spin, and tennis serve. Serve speed was measured using the Pocket Radar device (Santa Rosa, CA, USA), positioned on the service line. Statistical processing was carried out using RStudio and SPSS 26.0, with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple comparisons; the significance level was set at p< 0.05. Results and Discussion: The analysis identified serve type as the most influential factor affecting serve speed (F = 4176.340, p< 0.001, η² = 0.345), with the highest values recorded for the jump spin serve. Player position (F = 375.844, p< 0.001, η² = 0.180), league type (F = 356.914, p< 0.001, η² = 0.170), and match progression (set) (F = 17.624, p< 0.001, η² = 0.015) also had a significant impact. Statistically significant interactions were found between position and league, and between position and serve type, highlighting the need for individualized training programs tailored to the tactical roles of players. It is important to note the absence of a three-way interaction, which indicates a limit to the cumulative effect of these combined variables on serve speed. Conclusion: The analysis underscores the critical role of technical serve specifications and individual player roles in shaping effective attack performance. The findings may be used to inform physical and technical training programs aimed at improving attack and serve speed among players of various positions and competitive levels. The practical relevance of this study lies in its potential to guide the adaptation of attacking or serving techniques to match-specific conditions, considering both fatigue progression across sets and opponent strength.