Item type: Original item

Received: 5-12-2025

Accepted: 26-02-2026

Characterization of agility level in novice beach
volleyball players

M. Sc. Clara Geily Jiménez Moya
1
, Dr. C. Orestes Griego Cairo
2
*

1
Villa
Clara
School
Sports
Initiation
School.
Cuba.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6820-8017
clarageilyjimenezmoya@gmail.com

2
Territorial
Polytechnic
University
of
Maracaibo.
Venezuela.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1297-2478
griegorestes@gmail.com

*
Corresponding author:
griegorestes@gmail.com

Abstract.

Beach volleyball is a team-based net sport played on an unstable surface, requiring explosive, short-
duration motor actions. In this context, agility
—
as a physical capacity
—
is a key determinant of athletic
performance. The objective of this study was to characterize the agility levels of beach volleyball
players in the 13
–
15 age group (the introductory competitive category) in the province of Villa Clara,
Cuba. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed, involving three groups: two coaches
from the School for Sports Initiation (EIDE), seven male players in this age category enrolled at the
center
in
2019,
and
16
coaches
who
participated
in
the
2019
National
School
Games
for
High-
Performance Sports, representing their respective provinces. The research was conducted in three
stages:
document
analysis
and
interviews,
the
selection
/
adaptation
of
specific
tests
via
expert
consensus, and field-based assessment. The results indicated an average level of agility among the
players. However, a significant deficit was identified in maneuvers toward the left side of the court
and in anteroposterior (forward and backward) movements, with more than 40% of the players falling
into the low percentile. It is concluded that there are directional asymmetries and deficiencies in
longitudinal motor patterns; which should be taken into account by coaches to optimize the planning
of specific training within the overall preparation of these players.

Keywords:
Beach volleyball, agility, sports initiation, motor assessment.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
17
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Introduction

Beach volleyball is a team net sport characterized by its execution on an unstable surface (sand), which
places high bioenergetic and neuromuscular demands on players. These demands manifest in short-
duration, interval-based explosive actions (McLaren et al., 2018; Griego et al., 2019; Hunchenko et
al., 2021; Söyler, 2022). It is a game with a wide variety of actions, unpredictable environments, and
specific tactical requirements. All of this necessitates developing skills in defensive actions, which
involve rapid movements with changes of direction and body position (González et al., 2022).

These circumstances require coaches to plan training sessions where key physical abilities such as
agility and specific endurance are increasingly tailored to the demands of the game (Dawes & Roozen,
2017; Palao et al., 2018; Echeverría et al., 2020; Palao, Manzanares, & Ortega, 2022; Jiménez et al.,
2026). Furthermore, physical performance is an essential component in the development of athletic
performance in this sport, especially during the formative stages of young players (Moya, Moya, &
Martínez, 2026).

It is important to highlight that, in the dynamics of this discipline, agility is a fundamental physical
capacity
for
achieving
high
athletic
performance
(Azmi
&
Kusnanik,
2018;
Büchel
et
al.,
2022;
Marzano-Felisatti et al., 2024). In this sport, players' actions are performed on sand, for periods that
can last up to 15-20 seconds, and in conditions of high heat and humidity (Giatsis, Panoutsakopoulos
& Kollias, 2022; Jiménez et al., 2022). This aspect is of vital importance today, as it improves players'
physical fitness and is essential for successfully withstanding the demands of competition (Andrade et
al., 2020; Pavlinovic et al., 2022; Makaruk et al., 2023).

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
18
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

From the perspective of agility training theory, authors such as Young et al. (2002) conceptualize it
based on two interrelated components: speed in changes of direction and the perceptual and cognitive
factors involved in decision-making. Both dimensions are constantly manifested during play. In line
with this, contemporary trends in Sports Training Theory and Methodology indicate that the loads and
interventions planned in the training session must strictly correspond to the biological and technical-
tactical demands of competition (García-de-Alcaraz, et al., 2024).

According to authors like Griego et al. (2019), agility is a capacity that allows a player to move quickly
and fluidly on the court. It involves the ability to accelerate and decelerate the body rapidly and in
conjunction with game actions. From this, it can be deduced that, to achieve optimal competitive
performance, a player must master a repertoire of stereotyped and flexible motor patterns to execute
precise actions, perfected through contextualized practice. Several authors have addressed this topic in
beach
volleyball,
analyzing
the
difference
between
the
speed
of
simple
changes
of
direction
and
reactive agility in relation to decision-making in beach volleyball players. This approach evaluates
how core stability and the unstable surface affect players' reaction times (Pita et al., 2023; Medeiros,
Marcelino, and Mesquita, 2023).

In beach volleyball, from the initial stages of training, the sports development process should focus on
specific and decisive performance aspects if the goal is to achieve maximum competitive results more
quickly and effectively. Therefore, it is essential that coaching staff have reference points and values
to accurately develop agility training. However, within the context of school-based sports initiation in
Cuba (ages 13-15), there is a substantial lack of knowledge regarding the values that characterize the
agility level of beach volleyball players (Gonzáles, et al., 2022).

Furthermore,
existing
scientific
literature
focuses
predominantly
on
elite
players.
Additionally,
previous research indicates a marked tendency among coaches to extrapolate diagnostic tests from
indoor
volleyball,
ignoring
the
biomechanical
and
bioenergetic
characteristics
of
beach
volleyball
(Griego et al., 2019; Griego et al., 2022). Considering the arguments presented above, the objective of
this research was to characterize the level of agility present in school-aged beach volleyball players in

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
19
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

the province of Villa Clara, through the application
of a protocol
of specific tests
adapted to
the
discipline.

Materials and methods

For the development of this research, a descriptive, cross-sectional field study was conducted, based
on an analysis of the dynamics of the game. A non-experimental design was used , as there was no
attempt
to
manipulate
the
variables
under
study;
instead,
events
were
simply
described
as
they
occurred, and subsequently analyzed (Hernández, Fernández, and Baptista, 2010).

Context and participants.
The research involved three populations:

The methods used in the research were: document review, structured interview, brainstorming, and
measurement.

Stages for the development of the study

Methodology.
The present research was structured in three sequential methodological phases:

Phase 1 (Diagnostic analysis and test selection):
Scientific articles on agility in beach volleyball
—
such as those by González et al. (2022) were reviewed, as they were official sports policy documents
in
Cuba,
including
T
raining
plans,
doctoral
and
master’s
theses,
and
the
Comprehensive
Athlete
Preparation Program (PIPD)
were also examined. Structured interviews were conducted with the two
coaches from the EIDE (School for Sports Initiation) to explore their understanding of agility training

Subsequently, within the framework of the 2019 National Sports Games (JENAR), two methodological
workshops were held with the 16 coaches to unify conceptual criteria and determine how to evaluate
the level of agility in beach volleyball players at the introductory level. All provinces of the country
were represented in the group workshops.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
20
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

All the coaches held degrees in Physical Education and worked in their provinces with players in the
school age group (13-15 years old). The coaches' ages ranged from 24 to 45 years, they had between
12 and 30 years of experience, and 80% were men and 20% were women. The concept of agility
adopted in the workshops was that defined by Griego et al. (2019): the player's ability to move quickly
and fluidly on the court, which implies the ability to accelerate and decelerate the body rapidly and in
conjunction with game actions.

It is important to note that these workshops were led by the lead author of this research. The first
workshop focused on clarifying the concept of agility, specifically as it relates to beach volleyball, and
how this ability is addressed in the sport's regulatory documents. In the second workshop, the 16
coaches worked together to define and select, by consensus, a method for evaluating agility levels in
beach volleyball players. Several research proposals and tests for measuring this ability were presented.

The main criterion for evaluating these tests was that they had to be previously validated through
scientific research. Using a brainstorming technique during the workshop, six potential tests were
identified; through participant consensus, this number was narrowed down to three. This selection was
reached by consensus, as the coaches deemed these three the most appropriate for assessing the agility
levels of beginner beach volleyball players. Consequently, it was decided to implement the protocol
proposed by González et al. (2022).

Phase 2 (Field Evaluation):
Subsequently, as part of the research project, using
a measurement-based
method,
the three selected tests were applied to the seven male players on the sand court of the EIDE
provincial school in Villa Clara, standardizing the measurement conditions.

Standardized conditions
for conducting the tests (González et al., 2022):

The tests always followed the same application sequence, with a five-minute rest interval between each
one. The assessments were developed in a single day and at the usual training location, between 9:00
am and 11:00 am.
Participants were instructed beforehand to avoid eating heavy meals for at least two
hours prior to the testing and to ensure they were adequately hydrated.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
21
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

At
their
arrival,
the
players
received
a
detailed
explanation
of
the
procedures.
Subsequently,
a
standardized
10-minute
dynamic
warm-up,
designed
by
the
researchers,
was
performed,
which
included
general
and
specific
mobility
exercises
on
the
sand.
Finally,
the
different
tests
were
administered following the protocol proposed by González et al. (2022).

Phase 3 (Statistical processing and analysis):
The collected data were processed using descriptive
statistics (mean, median, and ranges) due to
the absence of national benchmarks for the beginner
category
. Since the results were derived from test and retest values
procedures, the Wilcoxon signed-
rank test (a non-parametric test) was used to establish performance percentiles
—
25th percentile (high
level),
50th
percentile
(medium
level),
and
75th
percentile
(low
level)
—
expressed
in
terms
of
execution time in seconds.

Results

In Phase 1, A document review of the PIPD
revealed
a limited specific methodological
guidance
regarding the agility training. Interviews indicated a lack of precision in how the coaches operationally
defined agility, as well as an absence of reference values for the introductory categories. The three
diagnostic tests selected for the field assessment (González et al., 2022) of the players were:

For Test 3, given the need to assess the
reliability
of the results obtained,
two repetitions per subject
were performed instead of the single repetition originally proposed in the protocol
—
a point that had
been
discussed
during
the
second
methodological
workshop.
Table
1
below
presents
the
results
obtained from Test 1. A main trend observed in these results is a functional asymmetry, characterized
by longer execution times when moving toward the left side compared to the right side.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
22
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Table 1. Execution times (seconds) in Test 1 .
(González et al., 2022).

Subject
(#)

Age

Short Lateral Displacement

Long Lateral Displacement

RI (s)

RD (s)

RP (s)

RI (s)

RD (s)

RP (s)

1

15

5.11

4.53

4.82

6.16

5.79

5.97

2

14

4.84

4.99

4.91

5.90

6.02

5.96

3

14

4.89

4.63

4.76

6.04

5.86

5.95

4

14

4.90

4.95

4.92

6.04

6.11

6.07

5

15

4.95

5.02

4.98

6.08

6.12

6.10

6

13

5.25

5.20

5.22

6.80

6.74

6.77

7

13

5.40

5.48

5.44

7.16

6.98

7.07

Average

5.05

4.97

5.01

6.31

6.23

6.27

Legend:
RI = Left profile result; RD = Right profile result; RP = Individual average result.

As a result of the application of Test 2 (Table 2), the data obtained also confirm the trend described
above: Zig-zag displacements that involve turns or supports to the left register greater temporal latency.

Table 2. Execution times (seconds) in Test 2.
(González et al., 2022).

Subject
(#)

Age

Short Zigzag to the
Front

Long Zigzag to the
Front

RI (s)

RD (s)

RP (s)

RI (s)

RD (s)

RP (s)

1

15

4.42

3.75

4.08

6.13

5.63

5.88

2

14

4.05

3.95

4.00

6.32

5.81

6.06

3

14

4.00

4.14

4.07

6.09

5.70

5.89

4

14

4.15

4.19

4.17

6.25

6.15

6.2

5

15

3.95

4.02

3.98

6.08

6.00

6.04

6

13

4.10

4.05

4.08

6.43

6.40

6.41

7

13

5.50

5.39

5.44

6.73

6.90

6.81

Average

4.31

4.21

4.26

6.29

6.08

6.28

Legend:
RI = Left profile result; RD = Right profile result; RP = Individual average result.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
23
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

The
results
of
Test
3
are
presented
in
Table
3. As
can
be
seen,
the
data
reflects
anteroposterior
displacements. This
test revealed a marked technical
difficulty in
decelerating
and re-accelerating
along the longitudinal axis.

Table 3. Execution times (seconds) in Test 3.
(González et al., 2022).

Subjec
ts

(#)

Age

Repetition 1

(R1)

Repetition 2

(R2)

Average Result

(RP)

1

15

5.41

4.65

5.03

2

14

5.06

4.47

4.76

3

14

4.41

4.83

4.62

4

14

4.92

5.01

4.96

5

15

4.98

4.99

4.98

6

13

5.25

5.90

5.57

7

13

5.40

6.29

5.84

Average

5.06

5.16

5.11

Test
3
shows
high
variability
in
results
among
players.
The
previously
mentioned
difficulty
in
decelerating and re-accelerating along the longitudinal axis is reflected more in the dispersion than in
a systematic change between R1 and R2. Some subjects
perform
worsen in the second repetition, which
could indicate fatigue or a lack of technical control; others improve, which could reflect learning.

Paired repeated measures t-tests were performed, since each subject went through all conditions. With
n = 7, these results (Table 4) are exploratory; therefore, they should have been supplemented with non-
parametric Wilcoxon tests.

Table 4. Results of paired repeated measures t-tests

Comparison

Difference

mean ± SD

t(6)

p
approx.

Cohen's d

P1
long − short RI

1.26 ± 0.28

12.05

< .001

4.55

P1
long − short RD

1.26 ± 0.19

17.19

< .001

6.50

P1
long − short RP

1.26 ± 0.23

14.62

< .001

5.52

P1
short RI − RD

0.08 ± 0.26

0.79

.46

0.30

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
24
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

P1
long RI − RD

0.08 ± 0.17

1.22

.27

0.46

P2
long − short RI

1.98 ± 0.39

13.59

< .001

5.14

P2
long − short RD

1.87 ± 0.28

17.57

< .001

6.64

P2
long − short RP

1.92 ± 0.30

16.88

< .001

6.38

P2
short RI − RD

0.10 ± 0.27

0.96

.38

0.36

P2
long RI − RD

0.21 ± 0.26

2.08

.083

0.78

P3
R2 − R1

0.10 ± 0.61

0.44

.68

0.17

These results show that the effect of displacement length is very large and consistent
across
P1 and P2
(p
<
.001,
d
>
4).
Furthermore,
left-right
asymmetries
are
small
and
non-significant—with
the
exception of a marginal trend in the "long zig-zag" condition (p ≈ .083)—and there is no significant
difference between repetitions in P3. The paired t-tests were supplemented with the non-parametric
Wilcoxon signed-rank test
for related samples
, which is suitable for n = 7 and for variables that may
not meet the assumption of normality.
A correction for tied ranks (using the average of the ranks) was
applied,
and
the
exact
two-tailed
p-value
was
calculated
by
enumerating
all
2⁷
possible
sign
assignments (in the absence of ties) or by using the distribution conditioned on the observed ranks
(when ties are present).

Table 5. Results of the expanded exploratory inferential analysis with non-parametric Wilcoxon tests.

Comparison

Mean
difference ± SD

t(6)t(6
)

pp t

W+W
+

W−W
−

Wilcoxon

rrbrr
b

P1
long − short RI

1.26 ± 0.28

12.05

< .001

28

0

.0156

1.00

P1
long - short RD

1.26 ± 0.19

17.19

< .001

28

0

.0156

1.00

P1
long - short RP

1.26 ± 0.23

14.62

< .001

28

0

.0156

1.00

P1
short RI − RD

0.08 ± 0.26

0.79

.46

14.5

13.5

.969

0.04

P1
long RI − RD

0.08 ± 0.17

1.22

.27

20

8

.344

0.43

P2
long − short RI

1.98 ± 0.39

13.59

< .001

28

0

.0156

1.00

P2
long − short RD

1.87 ± 0.28

17.57

< .001

28

0

.0156

1.00

P2
long - short RP

1.92 ± 0.30

16.88

< .001

28

0

.0156

1.00

P2
short RI − RD

0.10 ± 0.27

0.96

.38

18

10

.578

0.29

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
25
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

P2
long
RI − RD

0.21 ± 0.26

2.08

.083

24

4

.109

0.71

P3
R2 − R1

0.10 ± 0.61

0.44

.68

18

10

.578

0.29

Symbolism:
W+W+ (sum of positive ranks). W−W− (sum of negative ranks). Rank-biserial correlation
rrb=(W+−W−)/(W++W−)rrb=(W+−W−)/(W++W−).

The results of the Wilcoxon test show that:

Since
no
data
were
available
for
this
level,
the
normative
stratification
of
agility
in
this
test
was
established,
and
the
evaluation
percentiles
were
set
(Table
6).
The
categories
for
measuring
the
performance level were defined as follows:

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
26
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Table 6. Norms for normative percentiles (in seconds) for the assessment of agility in the sample.

Percentile / Level

Short Zig-
zag

(s)

Long Zig-zag

(s)

Short
Lateral

(s)

Long Side

(s)

Antero-

later

(s)

P25
(High Level)

4.00

5.89

4.82

5.95

4.76

P50
(Intermediate
Level)

4.08

6.06

4.92

6.07

4.98

P75
(Low Level)

5.44

6.41

5.22

6.77

5.57

Once the values indicating the players' level, according to their percentile, were established, the general
trend of the players' agility level was obtained. This allowed for the determination of the group's overall
trend.

By classifying the players according to the standardized percentile norm as shown in Table 5, it was
identified that the average performance level predominates in zigzag movements (42-57%). In long
lateral and anteroposterior movements, the results show a higher proportion of players at the low level
(42.8%).

Table 7. Percentage distribution of players according to performance level by percentile
.

Evaluated Test

High
Level
(P25)

n (%)

Intermediate
level
(P50)

n (%)

Low Level
(P75)

n (%)

Short lateral zigzag

2
(28.6%)

3
(42.8%)

2
(28.6%)

long lateral zigzag

2
(28.6%)

4
(57.2%)

1
(14.2%)

Short lateral displacement

2
(28.6%)

3
(42.8%)

2 (28.6%)

Long lateral displacement

2
(28.6%)

2
(28.6%)

3
(42.8%)

Front-backward
displacement

2
(28.6%)

2
(28.6%)

3
(42.8%)

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
27
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Discussion

The findings of this study reveal that school-aged beach volleyball players (13-15 years old) in Villa
Clara province exhibit a normative agility trend at an intermediate level, as observed in the percentile
results. However, the vector and multidirectional analysis reveals a deficit in movements to the left
side and in anteroposterior transitions. The distance of the movement is the factor that most affects
execution time. In both movement tests, longer distances significantly increase the time, suggesting
that the demands on motor control, stabilization, and travel time are determining factors.

This finding creates a significant methodological contradiction with the kinematic literature on beach
volleyball (Griego et al., 2019; Jiménez, 2019), which states that movements toward the left side of
the
court
are
the
most
frequent
during
the
defensive
and
reception
phases
of
Complex
1
(K1).
Therefore, it becomes clear that if players exhibit the worst reaction times and changes of direction
precisely
toward
the
side
most
tactically
demanded,
it
constitutes
a
disconnect
between
general/specific physical preparation and the actual demands of the game. This should be an important
factor for coaches to consider when designing their players' training programs.

Furthermore,
the
marked
deficiency
in
anteroposterior
movements
(42.8%
at
a
low
level)
can
be
explained primarily by biological maturity at a given age and secondarily by the high mechanical cost
imposed by the running surface (sand) on braking, deceleration, changes of direction, and subsequent
propulsion (Hunchenko et al., 2021; Marzano-Felisatti et al., 2024). Therefore, it is important to note
that without adequate development of the reactive-elastic strength of the hip and knee extensors, agility
in longitudinal trajectories is severely impaired.

The small sample size (n = 7) is recognized as the main limitation of the study. However, this figure is
representative
of
the
institutional
context
of
School
Sports
Initiation
Programs
in
Cuba,
where
enrollment in Beach Volleyball is
restricted by the sport's structure (two starting players per pair).
Subjects 6 and 7, aged 13, posted the highest times in almost all tests. However, with only two 13-
year-old subjects, the age effect cannot be separated from the individual effect.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
28
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Future
research
should
expand
the
cohort
through
national
multicenter
studies
and
also
include
females.
This will allow for better observation and assessment of the actual physical performance of
agility. Therefore, these elements could be considered for future research, either through longitudinal
monitoring of physical performance or by evaluating differences based on sex.

Conclusions

  1. 1.
    The results of this study have shown that the general state of agility in male Beach Volleyball
    players of the 13
    –
    15-year-old school category of the School Sports Initiation School in Villa
    Clara, is at a medium level with respect to the percentile standards determined.
  2. 2.
    A functional asymmetry was evident in directional agility, manifested in lower performance in
    movements to the left side of the court and in the anteroposterior trajectory, which constitutes
    an important element (reference values) for the planning work of the coaches.
  3. 3.
    Test 3 shows no significant differences between repetitions, but does show high individual
    variability. Therefore, the results demonstrate a clear and consistent effect of displacement
    length on execution time: greater length leads to greater latency, with increases of 25% in
    lateral displacements and 45% in zigzag displacements.
  4. 4.
    The results suggest the need to reorient the planning process of school sports training in Cuba,
    so these findings can
    contribute to
    optimizing the processes of talent
    detection for
    certain
    specializations and planning of training in the formative stage.

References

Azmi, K., & Kusnanik, N.W. (2018). Effect of Exercise Program Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ)
in
Improving
Speed,
Agility,
and
Acceleration.
Journal
of
Physics:
Conference
Series,
947,
012043.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/947/1/012043

Büchel, D., Gokeler, A., Heuvelmans, P., & Baumeister, J. (2022). Increased Cognitive
Demands
Affect Agility Performance in Female Athletes
–
Implications for Testing and Training of Agility
in
Team
Ball
Sports.
Perceptual
and
Motor
Skills,
129(4),
1-
15.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00315125221108698

Dawes,
J.,
&
Roozen,
M.
(2017).
Developing
Agility
and
Speed.
NSCA.
Barcelona:
Editorial
Paidotribo.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
29
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Echeverría,
C.,
Ortega,
E.,
and
Palao,
JM
(2020).
Normative
Profile
of
the
Efficacy
and
Way
of
Execution for the Block in Women's Volleyball from Under-14 to Elite Levels.
Mount. J. Sports
Sci. Med. 9(1), 1-7.
https://doi:10.26773/mjssm.200306

García-de-Alcaraz, A., Marzano-Felisatti, JM, Pino-Ortega, J., Priego-Quesada, JI, & Guzmán-Luján,
JF
(2024).
Enhancing
volleyball
athlete
performance:
A
comprehensive
review
of
training
interventions
and
their
impact
on
agility,
explosive
power,
and
strength.
Cureus
Journal
of
Medical Science, 16(1), e52012.
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.52012

Giatsis, G., Panoutsakopoulos, V., & Kollias, I. (2022). Biomechanical differences in the take-off
phase of the spike jump between sand and rigid surfaces in beach volleyball players. Journal of
Human Kinetics, 81(1), 35
–
46.
https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2022-0004

González-Acevedo, I., Griego-Cairo, O., & Ojeda-Valbuena, JR (2022).
Specific tests for the control
of
agility
in
young
beach
volleyball
players.
Science
and
Physical
Activity,
9(2),
69-
84.
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu/index.php/revista/article/view/136/366

Griego-Cairo,
O.,
Jiménez-Moya,
CG,
&
Ojeda-Valbuena,
JR
(2022).
Comprehensive
Beach
Volleyball Athlete Preparation Program (2021-2024 Cycle). Cuban Volleyball Federation.

Griego-Cairo,
O.,
Griego-Cairo,
E.,
and
Ojeda-Valbuena,
JR
(2022).
Typical
phases
of
beach
volleyball
in
males.
Reference
values
in
initiation.
PODIUM
Journal,
16(3),
700-
713.
https://podium.upr.edu.cu/index.php/podium/article/view/956/pdf

Griego-Cairo, O., Palao, JM, Jiménez-Moya, CG, Griego-Cairo, E., & Navelo-Cabello, RM (2019).
Design and validation of a test to assess specific resistance in beach volleyball.
Kronos, 18(1),
1-9.
https://erevistas.universidadeuropea.com/index.php/kronos/article/view/867/860

Hernández,
Fernández,
and
Baptista
(2010).
Research
Methodology.
Mexico:
McGraw
Hill
Interamericana Editores SA

Hunchenko, V., Solovey, O., Solovey, D., Malojvan, Y., Yakovenko, A., & Wnorowski, K. (2021).
The influence of special physical fitness of athletes on the level of technique of playing beach
volleyball.
Physical
Education
of
Students,
25(6),
364
–
373.
https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2021.0604

Jiménez-Moya,
CG
(2019).
Tests
for
the
control
of
special
resistance
in
Beach
Volleyball
youth
category (Master's thesis).
Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas.

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
30
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Jiménez-Olmedo, JM, Penichet-Tomás, A., Sabido, R., & Pueo, B. (2022).
Assessment of reactive
agility
and
acceleration
capacity
in
professional
beach
volleyball
players.
Journal
of
Sports
Science & Medicine, 21(2), 215
–
224.
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2022.215

Makaruk, H., Starzak, M., & Sadowski, J. (2023). Agility and change of direction speed in sand vs.
indoor courts: Kinematic adaptations in volleyball athletes.
Journal of Sports Sciences, 41(12),
1145
–
1153.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2214589

Marzano-Felisatti, JM, Pino-Ortega, J., Priego-Quesada, JI, Guzmán-Luján, JF, & García-de-Alcaraz,
A. (2024).
Physical performance and game demands in beach volleyball. Journal of Human Sport
and Exercise, 20(1), 79
–
92.
https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2024.201.07

Medeiros, A., Marcelino, R., & Mesquita, I. (2023).
Physical and physiological profiles of world-class
beach volleyball players: Focus on lateral agility and explosive power. The Journal of Strength
and Conditioning Research, 37(6), 1280
–
1288.
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004412

Moya-Ortega, M., Moya-Ortega, AY, & Martínez del Águila, Ángel.
(2026). Influence of the state of
biological maturation on the physical performance of soccer players between 11 and 15 years
old. Retos, 74, 197-206.
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v74.117265

McLaren,
SJ,
Macpherson,
TW,
Coutts,
AJ,
Hurst,
C.,
Spears,
I.R.,
&
Weston,
M.
(2018).
The
Relationships Between Internal and External Measures of Training Load and Intensity in Team
Sports:
A
Meta-Analysis.
Sports
Medicine,
48(3),
641
–
658,
https://doi:10.1007/s40279-017-
0830-z

Palao, JM, García-de-Alcaraz, A., Hernández-Hernández, E. Valades, D. & Ortega-Toro, E. (2018).
Establishing technical and tactical performance goals for elite male volleyball players. Central
European
Journal
of
Sport
Sciences
and
Medicine,
21(1),
5-
12.
https://wnus.edu.pl/cejssm/pl/issue/757/article/12247/

Palao, JM, Manzanares, P., & Ortega, E. (2022).
Analysis of physical demands and movement patterns
in
elite
beach
volleyball
players
across
different
match
phases.
International
Journal
of
Performance
Analysis
in
Sport,
22(3),
380
–
394.
https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2022.2064121

Pavlinovic, V., Foretic, N., Versic, S., Sekulic, D., and Liposek, S. (2022). Predictors of Reactive
Agility
in
Early
Puberty:
A
Multiple
Regression
Gender-Stratified
Study.
Children,
9,
1780.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children9111780

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
31
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu

Pita-González,
HE,
Miló-Dubé,
M.,
&
García-Hernández,
TR
(2023).
Analysis
of
the
quality
of
backcourt movements in Basque Pelota athletes from Pinar del Río. Revista Arrancada, 23(46),
110-123.
https://dialnet.unirioja.es/ejemplar/640501

Soyler, M. (2022). Examination of the effects of reactive agility and planned change of direction skills
on self-defense techniques in private security and protection program students. Sports Scientific
Journal, 8(3), 309-328.
https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2022.8.3.9008

Young, W.B., James, R., & Montgomery, I. (2002). Is muscle action an important factor in determining
agility?
Journal
of
Strength
and
Conditioning
Research,
16(2),
272-
278.
https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2002)016<0272:imaaif>2.0.co;2

Science and Physical Activity Magazine
Vol.13, 2026
ISSN: 2412-3226
RNPS: 2404
P.17-33
32
Center for Studies of Physical Culture and Sport
Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (Cuba)
https://revistaciaf.uclv.edu.cu