Correlation Between Running-reach Height And Agility K-test In Volleyball Players

Abstract

Measurement of vertical jumping evaluates anaerobic power and has been a good predictor of performance in volleyball (Sawyer, at al., 2002). Vertical jump performance has been shown to be related to other performance factors such as speed, agility, and power (Barnes, at al., 2007). The correlation between a new Agility K-test (Cabell, at al., 2014) needed to be tested with an established vertical test. PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between running jump reach test and the Agility K-test. METHODS: Young male competitive volleyball players (n = 273, age 16.63 ± 1.51 years, height 185.53 ± 8.09 cm, mass 72.72 ± 8.41 kg) volunteered in the study. The subject stood about 5 meters from the base of the Vertec apparatus, and took 3 steps before leaping off both feet as high as possible, using the arms and legs to assist in projecting the body upwards. The subject attempted to take off at a point so that at the peak of the jump he was directly under the Vertec apparatus with his arm fully extended. The Agility K-test consisted of the subjects running at an indoor gym on hard wooden flooring between cones positioned in a “K” pattern at maximum speed. A contact switch for time measurement was placed on the top of each cone which subjects touched with the right or left hand. Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to correlate two dependent variables at alpha = .05. RESULTS: The young athletes achieved a time of 15.93 ± 0.48 s in the Agility K-test, and difference = reach - height = 126.67 ± 10.24 cm. A significant Pearson correlation coefficient for the difference and time was -.22 (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated a negative significant correlation between Agility K-test and running jump reach test with young-aged volleyball players. Other physiological factors relating to this correlation might include muscular strength, flexibility, and speed of the athletes. The nature of anaerobic power and agility is based on fast and explosive movements and varies in the studied age of the athletes.