Abstract

BackgroundMany studies have investigated isokinetic performance in volleyball players but not through surface maps.ObjectivesThe goals of this study were to assess velocity-specific isokinetic knee extensor–flexor muscle strength and to compare the isokinetic knee extensor–flexor muscles between professional (PRO) and under-17 (U17) female volleyball players.MethodThis cross-sectional laboratory study was developed with two groups: PRO (n = 12), medianage = 21.3 years, and U17 (n = 9), medianage = 15 years. Peak torque, total work, mean power, angle of peak torque, hamstring–quadriceps torque ratio (H–Q ratio) and torque–angle–velocity surface maps were analysed from knee extension–flexion at 60, 120 and 300 degrees per second (°/s).ResultsSignificant differences were identified for extensor peak torque between PRO x = 202.3 Newton metre (N·m) (standard deviation [SD] = 24.4) and U17 x = 141.6 N·m (30.1) at 60 °/s (p < 0.001; d = 2.21) as well as flexor peak torque (PRO x = 75.7 N·m [10.3] and U17 x = 57.7 N·m [11.4]) at 120 °/s (p < 0.001; d = 1.65) for the dominant limb. There were also significant group differences for total work and mean power at all velocities for extension and flexion. Surface maps demonstrated higher torque at lower speeds for both groups with smaller torque changes across velocities for flexion.ConclusionDifferent groups of female volleyball players showed contrasting concentric knee muscle strength across isokinetic velocities.Clinical implicationsThese results demonstrate the importance of specific strength training for different age groups, even within the same sport, and provide insight into muscle strength.

Highlights

  • Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world

  • Significant differences were identified for extensor peak torque between PRO x = 202.3 Newton metre (N·m) and U17 x = 141.6 N·m (30.1) at 60 °/s (p < 0.001; d = 2.21) as well as flexor peak torque (PRO x = 75.7 N·m [10.3] and U17 x = 57.7 N·m [11.4]) at 120 °/s (p < 0.001; d = 1.65) for the dominant limb

  • Clinical implications: These results demonstrate the importance of specific strength training for different age groups, even within the same sport, and provide insight into muscle strength

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Summary

Introduction

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world. Within volleyball, vertical jumping is a crucial skill and important during blocking, attacking and net jousting (Lidor & Ziv 2010; Sattler et al 2012). During the career of a volleyball player, an increase in the intensity and frequency of training can be responsible for acute and chronic injuries and athletes dropping out of the sport (Solgird et al 1995). These events can be explained by strength imbalances between muscle groups or between dominant and non-dominant limbs that predispose the joint to instability and ligament overload (Bamaç et al 2008; Coombs & Garbutt 2002; Panni et al 2002). Many studies have investigated isokinetic performance in volleyball players but not through surface maps

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