There are differences between centrality levels of volleyball players in different competitive levels?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the variance of network centrality levels between different competitive levels and tactical positions during attacking moments. Twenty-four volleyball players (U12 – 12 players, 11.7 0.4 years old, 1.9 0.9 years of practice; Amateurs – 12 players, 24.9 4.2 years old, 12.6 2.8 years of practice) voluntarily participated in this study. The multivariate MANOVA revealed no statistical differences in the independent variable of competitive level (λ = 0.001; F(3,22) = 0.001; p-value = 1.000; = 0.001; Very Small Effect Size). Statistical differences were found in the independent variables of tactical position (λ = 1.015; F(15,72) = 2.454; p-value = 0.006; = 0.338; Moderate Effect Size). The post hoc values revealed that position 3 is the prominent player during attacking moments in both competitive levels and that position 5 reveals the smallest centrality levels in attack.