Effects of Plyometric Jump Training in Sand or Rigid Surface on Jump-Related Biomechanical Variables and Physical Fitness in Female Volleyball Players.

Mina Ahmadi,Alexandre Lima De Araújo Ribeiro,Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez,Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo,Hadi Nobari,Jorge Pérez-Gómez

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413093

Abstract

Background: This study aims to assess the effects of 8 weeks of plyometric jump training (PJT) conducted on sand or a rigid court surface on jump-related biomechanical variables and physical fitness in female indoor volleyball players. Methods: Seventeen participants were randomly divided into a sand surface group (SsG, n = 8) and rigid surface group (RsG, n = 9). Both groups completed equal indoor volleyball training routines. Participants were assessed pre and post the 8-week PJT for jump-related biomechanical variables (countermovement jump (CMJ) RSI; drop jump (DJ) reactive strength index (RSI); spike jump (SJ) height; CMJ height; CMJ rate of force development (RFD); CMJ velocity at take-off; DJ height and CMJ peak force), 20 m linear sprint time, t test for change-of-direction sprint (CODs) time, Wingate test peak power (PP), cardiorespiratory endurance, and leg-press one-repetition maximum (1RM). Results: A two-way mixed analysis of variance (group × time) revealed that there was a significant group × time interaction between DJ height (p = 0.035) and CMJ peak force (p = 0.032) in favour of RsG and SsG, respectively. A significant interaction was also observed for cardiorespiratory endurance (p = 0.01) and 1RM (p = 0.002), both favouring the SsG. No other group × time interaction was observed. Conclusions: The type of surface used during PJT induced specific adaptations in terms of jump-related biomechanical variables and physical fitness in female indoor volleyball players. Based on the individual needs of the athletes, practitioners may prescribe one type of surface preferentially over another to maximize the benefits derived from PJT.

Highlights

A volleyball match alternates between short periods (i.e., 3–9 s) of maximal intensity and relatively long recovery periods (i.e., 10–20 s) [1]
The results indicated that sand induced greater squat jump improvements (9.25%) compared to grass (5.02%), and a greater improvement in 20 m sprint time was seen for grass (27.86%) compared to sand (25.07%) [9]
There was a significant effect of time on, counter movement jump (CMJ) reactive strength index (RSI) (p ≤ 0.001, f = 22.41, ηp 2 = 0.60), CMJ height (p ≤ 0.001, f = 26.16, ηp 2 = 0.64), CMJ rate of force development (RFD) (p = 0.034, f = 5.41, ηp 2 = 0.27), and CMJ velocity take-off (p ≤ 0.001, f = 19.92, ηp 2 = 0.57)

Summary

Introduction

A volleyball match alternates between short periods (i.e., 3–9 s) of maximal intensity and relatively long recovery periods (i.e., 10–20 s) [1]. This study aims to assess the effects of 8 weeks of plyometric jump training (PJT) conducted on sand or a rigid court surface on jump-related biomechanical variables and physical fitness in female indoor volleyball players. Methods: Seventeen participants were randomly divided into a sand surface group (SsG, n = 8) and rigid surface group (RsG, n = 9). Both groups completed equal indoor volleyball training routines. Conclusions: The type of surface used during PJT induced specific adaptations in terms of jump-related biomechanical variables and physical fitness in female indoor volleyball players. Based on the individual needs of the athletes, practitioners may prescribe one type of surface preferentially over another to maximize the benefits derived from PJT

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Discussion

Conclusion