The Effect of Rectus Abdominis Fatigue on Lower Limb Jumping Performance and Landing Load for Volleyball Players

Hui-Ting Lin,Yin-Che Huang,Yen-Yi Li,Jia-Hao Chang

doi:10.3390/app11156697

Hui-Ting Lin, Yin-Che Huang + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156697

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rectus abdominis (RA) fatigue on the jumping performance and landing loads of volleyball players during countermovement jumps (CMJs) and spike jumps (SPJs). Twelve healthy university volleyball players were evaluated using a three-dimensional motion analysis system, force plates, and surface electromyography (EMG). The lowest center of mass (Min-CoM), maximum jumping height (Max-JH), angles of joints at take-off and landing, joint moment of the lower limbs, and EMG parameters of the RA, erector spinae, and lower limb muscles, when performing the CMJs and SPJs, were recorded before and after a 10 min RA muscle fatigue intervention. After RA fatigue, the Max-JH was significantly reduced, and the lowest Min-CoM was significantly increased. The take-off angles changed significantly at the ankle (SPJ), knee (CMJ), and hip (SPJ), and the plantar flexion torque changed significantly at the SPJ touchdown. The contribution ratio of the feet during SPJs and CMJs changed after fatigue. Temporary RA fatigue decreases the jump height of athletes and causes a change in the landing strategy.

Highlights

The main actions of volleyball players are jumping and moving
The vertical jump test is frequently used as a performance assessment method for lower limbs and to evaluate the impulse generated by an athlete [4,5]
In addition to performing a traditional vertical jump (CMJ or a squat jump), athletes perform spike jumps (SPJs) with two legs to accelerate their centers of mass (CoM)

Summary

Introduction

The main actions of volleyball players are jumping and moving. In a game, volleyball athletes need to jump more than 100 times [1]. The vertical jump test is frequently used as a performance assessment method for lower limbs and to evaluate the impulse generated by an athlete [4,5]. It has a positive relationship with the force-generation rate [6]. Past research has shown that during SPJs, athletes swing their arms down before jumping; this swing contributes 10% of the take-off velocity [9], which increases the vertical ground reaction force and additional impulse (the product of arm mass and swing speed) before the jump. The change in arm position raises the CoM and increases the instantaneous speed when departing the ground [10]

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