Dynamics between playing activities and rest time in high-level men’s volleyball

The purpose of this study was to verify whether work-to-rest ratios in high-level sport exhibit evidence for self-regulation. Specifically, we analysed the relationship between rally length and rest times between rallies in high-level men’s volleyball. Ninety-five matches from five of the premier worldwide competitions were analysed (16,436 rallies). The average of rallies per set was 45.23±6.15 (rally length: 4.99±4.35 seconds; rest time: 29.02±19.44 seconds; work-to-rest ratio 1:5.81±.17 seconds). The distribution of rally length clusters was: short 74%, medium 14.38% and long 11.62%; and rest time clusters: short 81.71%, medium 10.83% and long 7.46%. Rest time between rallies seemed to increase when the rally was longer (τ =.214; p <.001), the set progressed (set period) (τ =.093; p <.001), the game progressed (set number) (τ =.209; p <.001), and when the intensity of the set was higher (set competitive load) (τ =.118; p <.001). Results provided original, detailed and recent evidence supporting self-regulated phenomena with respect to work-to-rest ratio in high-level sport, while also providing time-related volleyball-specific relevant information. The stochastic profile of game was established by self-regulated work-to-rest time ratios, in spite of the deterministic and cyclical characteristics of the game. Clusters of distributions of work-to-rest ratio allow for random series to be designed in order to inform specific training sessions according to the type of match, set number and set period. Moreover, it is suggested that the temporal peculiarities of volleyball promote pacing strategies when the ball is not in play.