NEW Article Posted! Witt Roundnet Round-Up - "Roundnet Warm Up"
Written By: Tom Witt
Contact: tomtoowitty.sports.blog@gmail.com - Instagram - @tomtoowitty_sports_blog
DID YOU KNOW: the real name of the sport "Spikeball" is roundnet!?!
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the heart rates, step counts, motor skills, and attitudes of male roundnet participants during match play. More specifically, the study determined if roundnet kept participants in their target heart rate (THR) zone and measured the frequency of steps while playing. Motor skills were analyzed using video and event recording of roundnet game play. Finally, the researcher surveyed participants to determine their attitudes and motivations for participating in exercise and roundnet.
METHODS: The researcher recruited 20 male volunteer participants between the ages of 18 and 27 to play six games of roundnet. The participants were categorized into two groups, experienced (N=14) and inexperienced (N=6). The mean heart ratess for the experienced group were 135 bpm, while the inexperienced group registered 122 bpm.
RESULTS: All participants in this study reached their moderate THR zone, nine reached the vigorous THR zone. The mean length per game was 11:23 for the experienced group and 9:26 for the inexperienced group. Experienced participants demonstrated a higher mean for successful right- and left-hand passes, kills, and drop shots. Different reasons which drew participants to roundnet include novelty, physical fitness, and enjoyment of participation.
CONCLUSION: This study provides an initial database to support roundnet as a sport that may help participants, children, and adults reach their health and fitness goals. Including the sport of roundnet in elementary, secondary, and higher education levels may serve as an affordable and motivating sport to produce moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Link to: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport:
"A Descriptive Study of Roundnet" - Page A-126
About Tom: Hi, I'm Tom. I have been playing roundnet since 2011, 3 of my teams (Chico Orchards, Brock & Wolly, NorCal Gravity) have been ranked in the top 25 Spikeball Roundnet Association and USA Spikeball rankings, including 2nd in the nation at one point.
I earned my masters degree in kinesiology from Chico State University, where I published the first ever peer reviewed, scienfically backed study on roundnet, "A Descriptive Study of Roundnet".
My favorite tournament ever was the Harvard Frozen Chosen back in 2013, the first time I ever traveled east of Reno! Thank you for reading!