Effective time-motion analysis can provide information directly applicable to the design of physical conditioning and testing programmes. The aim of the present study was to determine the external output of female beach volleyball players during tournament match-play and to assess the effect of competition level, margin of score differential and alterations of external output within matches. The external output profile of ten adult level (age 27 ± 3 y) and ten under 23 (`U23`; age 19 ± 2 y) female beach volleyball players were determined using GPS technology (10 Hz) during 60 matches (n = 50 first and second sets and 20 third sets files) played during their respective Australian Beach Volleyball Championship tournaments. Comparisons between groups and the influence of contextual factors on the external output within matches were analysed using linear mixed models. Adult beach volleyball players covered a greater relative distance (i.e., m·min-1) in speed zone 2 (1.0-1.99 m·s-1; 42.0% of total relative distance) and zone 3 (=2.0 m·s-1; 10.9% of total relative distance) compared to U23 players. Relative distance, mean acceleration/deceleration and the relative distance covered in acceleration zone 2 and deceleration zone 2 and 3 was greater in set 1 compared to set 2. Sets that were decided by smaller score margins (<6-point score differential) were comprised of a greater relative distance, peak speed, greater mean acceleration and deceleration output and a greater relative distance in speed zone 1 and 3 compared to sets decided by larger score margins (>5-point score differential). The findings from this study suggest that there are contextual factors that influence the speed and acceleration/deceleration profile of female beach volleyball players such as tournament level, score margin and set-to-set variations that may have implications for the physiological and mechanical requirements of female players preparing for competition. Key Points Sets that are decided by small score margins (<5 points) are comprised of a greater relative distance and peak speed, greater mean acceleration and deceleration output and more relative distance in speed zone 1 and 3 compared to sets decided by larger score margins. Within beach volleyball matches, there is some evidence of altered external output during the second set, whereby relative distance (i.e., m·min), mean acceleration/deceleration and the relative distance covered in acceleration zones was greater in set 1 compared to set 2 which may have been due to either pacing, fatigue or other contextual factors. In order to maximise the physical preparation of players, training should comprise of many explosive efforts and multiple short bouts of high-intensity movements.
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