Maintenance of Physical Fitness Levels in Junior Volleyball Players during COVID-19 with Protective Measures against the Pandemic Condition

The importance of physical fitness training programs is evident, especially for children and adolescents who participate in a regular team sport such as volleyball. Unfortunately, COVID-19 pandemic presented a huge disturbance in ordinary lifestyle all over the world, thereby resulting on negative effects on wellness and physical fitness. Therefore the aim of this study was to identify maintenance of physical fitness levels in junior volleyball players during COVID-19 with protective measures against the pandemic condition. 

The study was a quasi-experimental design according to pre- post condition. Ten healthy junior volleyball players (10.80±1.03 yrs.) were selected to participate in this study. Selected Physical fitness variables included demographic characteristics, power, endurance, agility, flexibility and balance. After the end of first quarantine which lasted 5 months, pre-tests were recorded. Eight weeks after end of the second quarantine, following by eight weeks of physical fitness and volleyball training, post-tests were recorded to investigate maintenance of physical fitness variables levels in junior volleyball players during unorganized situation of COVID-19. 

 Results showed that, there is no significant differences between the mean of pre-test and post-test in BMI, Sargent Jump test, Sit up test, Sit and Reach test, and Romberg test, but in the other variables such as Bent knee push up, T-test, side jump, triple spike jump, and medicine ball throw, significant differences were observed.

 According to results, participating in volleyball training program for mini-volleyball players with respect to preventive measures of COVID-19 can be a beneficial method to maintenance health and improve vital physical fitness status aside to enhancement of volleyball skills.