Dynamic Characteristics of Approach Spike Jump Tasks in Male Volleyball Players

Wei-Hsun Tai,Hsien-Te Peng,Li-I Wang,Chen-Yi Song,Jian-Zhi Lin,Hai-Bin Yu

doi:10.3390/app11062710

Abstract

The approach running spike-jump (RSJ) is a crucial technique in the sport of volleyball. Two types of RSJs are commonly used for the volleyball spike attack: (1) RSJ with one leg (RSJ-1L) and (2) RSJ with two legs (RSJ-2L). The purposes of the current study were to compare the kinematic and kinetic differences between the RSJ-1L and RSJ-2L. Ten male college volleyball players performed spike jumps by striking a stationary ball at maximal jump height. Data were collected by six infrared Qualisys motion-capture cameras (180 Hz), two AMTI force platforms (1800 Hz), and recorded by Qualisys Track Manager software. The RSJ-1L demonstrated the faster three-step approach running velocity, greater vertical GRF, and ankle, knee, and hip joint moment, but less jump height, shorter last step length and push-off time, smaller knee and hip joint flexion angles at the initial foot-contact, and knee range of motion compared to the RSJ-2L. The current study contributed to the understanding of biomechanical differences of the volleyball spike jumps and can be used to adapt to the volleyball training.

Highlights

Spiking is a crucial technique in the sport of volleyball
The jump height and last step length of the running spike-jump (RSJ)-2L were significantly greater than the RSJ-1L
The major findings of the current study were (1) the RSJ-1L demonstrated the faster three-step approach running velocity, greater vertical ground reaction force (GRF), and ankle, knee, and hip joint moment, but less jump height, shorter last step length and push-off time, smaller knee and hip joint flexion angles at the initial foot-contact, and knee range of motion compared to the RSJ-2L; (2) the peak knee and hip flexion angle were primary functional determinants for the jump height of the RSJ-2L

Summary

Introduction

Spiking is a crucial technique in the sport of volleyball. Volleyball players usually perform volleyball spiking with combined movement of three-step approach running, countermovement jumping, and hitting the ball straight down on the other side of the net [1]. During the RSJ, volleyball players have to approach the target rapidly, jump off the ground, and smash the volleyball vigorously and accurately at the highest position in the air. Fundamental volleyball techniques, such as front-row spikes of a high set and short set ball in an attack tactic, are often practiced with the RSJ [2]. Previous researchers reported kinematic differences on duration of flight, jump height, and ball velocity in the front-row spike between the short set and high set ball [2] and indicated that the performance of the three-step approach RSJ was mainly influenced by vertical jump ability [1] and technical coordination [3]. Higher approach running velocity before a jump can enhance the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) [5], make the subsequent neuromuscular force production and muscular concentric contraction more effective [6,7], and further improve the take-off velocity of the center of mass (COM) and jumping performance [8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion