The impact of a two-month break from training on motor abilities in 13 to 14 years old female volleyball players

Numerous studies explore the influence of different training processes on changes in motor abilities, on the other hand break in the athletes season is the phenomenon which could also have a significant impact on motor abilities. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in motor abilities, as well as anthropometric characteristics of female volleyball players 13-14 years old following the 2 months brake. The instrument used for the assessment of break characteristics and duration was standardized IPAQ (International Physical activity questionary) questionary, modified for the purposes of this study. Anthropometric parameters (body height, body mass, BMI) were used for this research, as well as field tests for the motoric abilities assessing explosive strenght of leg extensor muscles, speed and strenght of arm muscles, repetitive strenght, endurance in speed, and agility (long jump, felling cones, medicine ball throw from prone position, crunches in 30 seconds, and 3m sidesteps). Based on the analysis of the obtained results, differences were observed in anthropometric characteristics: body height, body mass, and BMI, with the level of significance of p<0,05. Significant differences were also observed in 3/5 of motor abilities: explosive strength of leg extensor muscles, strength of arm muscles, and endurance in speed, while no significant differences were observed in variables assessing agility, and repetitive strength. A 2 month break from training had selective influence on changes in motor abilities in female volleyball players. Agility, and repetitive strength, as some of volleyball specific abilities remained almost unchanged, respectively brake didn't have significant impact on them.