Physiological changes arising from a training programme in under-21 international netball players

Physiological and anthropometric measurements were taken on 21 members of an under-21 international squad of mean age 18.9 years. The aims of the investigation were (i) to examine the physiological status of players according to playing unit; and (ii) to quantify the changes arising from a four-month training programme. Maximal/peak oxygen uptake was assessed using an incremental test to exhaustion during treadmill running. Anaerobic performance was measured using the 30s Wingate test. Significant differences occurred between playing units in height (p < 0.001), body mass and FVC (p < 0.05), but not in skinfolds or any of the expressions of aerobic or anaerobic performance (p > 0.05). As a consequence of the training programme significant differences were evident in height (169.7 v 170.1 cm, p < 0.01), body mass (62 v 64 kg, p < 0.05), FVC (4.3 v 4.51, p < 0.01), and anaerobic performance (p < 0.01). Increases in VO2 max (3.3 v 3.51.min-1) were not significant (p > 0.05). Standard deviation scores illustrated that aerobic and anaerobic performances were of roughly the same magnitude before training (-0.35 v -0.29, p > 0.05), but that after training the dominant performance was anaerobic (+0.11 v +1.48, p < 0.01).