Block Jumps Research Articles

Biomechanic Differences Between Anticipated and Unanticipated Volleyball Block Jump: Implications for Lower Limb Injury Risk

Volleyball is a high-intensity sport characterized by repetitive jumping, sudden directional changes, and overhead movements, all of which significantly increase the risk of injuries, particularly to the shoulders, knees, and ankles. Despite the frequency of injuries caused by actions like blocking and spiking, there has been limited research focused on the specific biomechanical risk factors unique to volleyball. This study aimed to investigate the lower limb biomechanics during block jumps in both the dominant and non-dominant directions, under both anticipated and unanticipated conditions, in fifteen elite male volleyball players. Kinematic and kinetic data from the ankle, knee, and hip joints were recorded. Our results revealed statistically significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant directions at the ankle, knee, and hip joints. The non-dominant direction exhibited a greater ankle dorsiflexion angle and velocity, as well as higher knee flexion angle, velocity, moment, power, and abduction moment, along with increased hip flexion angle and power. Additionally, unanticipated movements led to increases in vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), hip extension moment, and flexion power, while ankle dorsiflexion plantarflexion velocity and knee flexion power decreased. It appears that movements in the dominant direction were stiffer and less cushioned, potentially increasing the risk of injury. While the non-dominant direction provided better shock absorption, it also elevated the knee valgus moment, which could increase the load on the knee. Furthermore, in unanticipated situations, athletes with short reaction times, unable to quickly adjust their automated movement patterns, faced a higher risk of limb overuse, thereby increasing the likelihood of injury. In practice, coaches should consider differences in limb coordination and movement direction, incorporating unilateral preventive exercises to reduce the risk of injury.

The Relationship between Between Block Jump Height and Demographic Characteristics: Based on a Kinetics Approach

The Relationship between Between Block Jump Height and Demographic Characteristics: Based on a Kinetics Approach

A Kinetic-temporal Phasic Comparison Between Middle and Side Blockers of Elite Volleyball Players During Block Jump

A Kinetic-temporal Phasic Comparison Between Middle and Side Blockers of Elite Volleyball Players During Block Jump

Comparison of landing kinematics and kinetics between experienced and novice volleyball players during block and spike jumps

BackgroundThe practice of volleyball requires many jumps. During landing, anterior cruciate ligament injuries may occur with high-risk lower limb kinematics and kinetics. Differences in landing strategies between experienced and novice volleyball players have not been fully explored. The purpose of the study was to compare lower limb kinematics and kinetics in experienced and novice volleyball players when performing volleyball specific jumps.MethodsA total of 30 healthy males, 15 experienced and 15 novice volleyball players, participated in the study. Participants performed block and spike jumps at a controlled jump height. Hip, knee and ankle joints angles at initial ground contact and ranges of motion in the sagittal plane, knee joint angles and moments in the frontal plane, vertical ground reaction force peak and loading rate were analyzed to investigate the expertise effect.ResultsExperienced volleyball players landed with larger ankle dorsiflexion range of motion compared to novices. For the spike jump, experienced players landed with larger ankle plantarflexion angles at initial contact and larger ankle dorsiflexion ranges of motion, and for the block jump, they landed with larger knee flexion ranges of motion. Experienced players jumped significantly higher than novices. No difference was found in vertical ground reaction force peaks and loading rates.ConclusionsAlthough the experienced group jumped higher than the novice group, no difference was found in ground reaction force parameters. These findings highlight that the experience of volleyball players acquired during regular trainings and competitions may play an important role in landing kinematics and kinetics to reduce the injury risk.

Block Jump Height Assessment Based on Kinetic Approach in Volleyball Players: Is There any Difference Between Methods?

Purpose: Various kinematics and kinetics methods have been proposed for the assessment of jumping ability as a critical skill in professional volleyball players, but little is known about the accuracy and differences between these methods. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to answer the question “Is there any difference between the results of various kinetic methods in the assessment of block jump height in volleyball players or not?” Methods: Twenty-one healthy male junior volleyball players of the Iran national team performed the block jump task on a force platform. Three common formulas mostly used in literature based on kinetics output of force platform were selected for the comparison of resultant jump height. Descriptive analysis, Shapiro-Wilk test, and ANOVA were used for statistical calculations (p<0.05). Results: The results showed no significant difference between the means of block jump heights measured based on different kinetic methods in volleyball players. Conclusion: Formula calculation methods are very valid for measuring the jump height of the block jump and lead to very similar results for estimating jump height and are also replaceable with each other.

Using an overhead target increases volleyball-specific vertical jump performance

In volleyball, spikes, and block jumps are among the most important movements when earning points and impacting performance. Many studies have found a greater jump height after acutely augmented feedback and extrinsic focus of attention on vertical jump height. However, there are limited studies on the long-term effects of using an overhead target on volleyball-specific vertical jumps (block and spike jumps). Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of using an overhead target on the vertical jump heights of volleyball players. Twenty-five professional male volleyball players (age: 24.44 ± 3.78 years; height: 1.82 ± 8.79 cm; body mass: 80.96 ± 9.37 kg) were randomly assigned either to the experimental group with an overhead target (OHT) ( n = 9), group without an overhead target (WOHT) ( n = 10), or the control group ( n = 8). The OHT group performed vertical jumps with an overhead target before their regular training program, while the WOHT group completed vertical jumps without an overhead target before their regular training program. Meanwhile, the control group performed only their regular training program, which was a 5 week (3 days per week) program. All participants’ spike jump (SPJ) and block jump (BJ) results were assessed before and after the intervention. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (3 × 2) did not reveal any significant between-group interactions for SPJ and BJ ( F = 7.32, p < 0.11 and F = 1.59, p < 0.22 respectively), but significant results were found for the time effect ( F = 96.33, p < 0.01 and F = 132.25, p < 0.01 respectively) and group × time interaction ( F = 42.59, p < 0.01 and F = 61.52, p < 0.01, respectively). While the pre- and post-tests for BJ and SPJ values did not change in the control group ( p > 0.05), both of these values increased in the OHT group (60.00 ± 5.95–67.44 ± 5.98 cm, p < 0.01 for d = 1.24 and 49.00 ± 6.74–56.22 ± 5.29 cm p < 0.01 for d = 1.19, respectively) and WOHT group (57.50 ± 4.86–60.50 ± 4.99 cm, p < 0.01 for d = 0.60 and 47.75 ± 4.65–50.25 ± 3.69 cm, p < 0.01 for d = 0.59). It has been suggested that trainers and professionals can use an overhead target to increase the BJ and SPJ heights of professional volleyball players.

The Relationship Between Maximum Jump Performance and Force-time Variables of Block Landing Skill in Junior Elite Volleyball Players

Purpose: Frequent and powerful jumps and landings in volleyball exert significant stresses on lower extremities which can be determinant of injury prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the possible correlation between Maximum Jump (MJ) performance and force-time variables of volleyball block landing. Methods: Thirty elite junior volleyball players (Mean±SD of age: 18.140±1.125 y, sports background: 4.390±0.957 y, and height: 197.100±3.161 cm) performed three block jumps, and best of trials was considered for further analysis. The study data were collected by the KISTLER force platform (1000 Hz). Force-time, velocity-time, and displacement-time were obtained using the Excel program. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for assessing data normality and possible correlations between variables using SPSS v. 21 (P<0.05). Results: Peak vertical impact forces were reported in a range of 1.8-3.5 BW (F1, F2) during 27 to 83 ms of peak times (T1, T2). Significant positive correlations were obtained between temporal variables of time of peaks (T1, T2), the time elapsed between peaks (TP), and end of landing time (Tf). A significant negative correlation was found between F2 and T2 and a significant positive correlation between MJ performance with peak vertical forces (F1, F2). Conclusion: According to the findings, T1 has little impact on shock absorption. Coaches and volleyball players should consider the importance of soft landing through increasing T2, which decreases F2, not only for performance improvement but also for reducing injuries.

Motion Features of Legs in Volleyball Block Jump Based on Biomechanical Analysis

Blocking technology is one of the most important means to obtain score in volleyball, which has a great influence on the victory of the game. In this study, the vertical jump was analyzed to understand the movement characteristics of legs during training time. The kinematics and dynamics data of the legs of 10 volleyball players after training for 0 h, 0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h were studied by using an infrared light point motion capture system and force measuring platform. The results showed that the joint angles of the players who had 1 h and 2 h of training in the buffering and pedaling and stretching stages decreased markedly compared with those who had 0 h of training. The peak angular velocity and impulse of hip and knee joints after 1 h and 2 h of training decreased in the pedaling and stretching stage. In the flight stage, the time of flight and the height of center of gravity showed a downward trend, while the time of landing and the angle of the knee joint decreased. After 1 h and 2 h of training, at the moment of double-foot landing, the flexion and extension angle of the knee joint increased, and the angular velocity of the knee joint and ankle joint decreased markedly. The length of training time has a great impact on the joints of legs, including increasing joint pressure and the risk of injuries.

Correlations Between Jump Performance in Block and Attack and the Performance in Official Games, Squat Jumps, and Countermovement Jumps of Professional Volleyball Players.

Berriel, GP, Schons, P, Costa, RR, Oses, VHS, Fischer, G, Pantoja, PD, Kruel, LFM, and Peyré-Tartaruga, LA. Correlations between jump performance in block and attack and the performance in official games, squat jumps, and countermovement jumps of professional volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S64-S69, 2021-The jump used in performance tests must be chosen according to the specificity. The aims of the present study were to analyze the correlations between height and reach of block and attack jumps and the effectiveness of such actions in official games and also the relationship between height and reach of attack and block jumps and the height achieved in squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and CMJ with an arms swing (CMJA). Thirteen, male, professional volleyball players who competed in the Brazilian Volleyball Super League participated in this study. Evaluations of height and reach of attack and block jumps and height of SJ, CMJ, and CMJA were performed. Attack and block effectiveness were evaluated in 8 official games. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was used, and the significance level was set at α ≤ 0.05. Attack jump height correlated with attack effectiveness in the games (r = 0.57; p = 0.05). Block jump height presented a very large correlation with SJ height (r = 0.82; p < 0.01), and attack jump height presented a very large correlation with CMJ height (r = 0.86; p < 0.01). Success in attack actions is directly associated with the athlete's ability to perform a vertical jump. Moreover, SJ, CMJ, and CMJA tests provided information of great applicability for the volleyball players' needs. Because of the relevance of the results, these tests should be included in the assessment routine of professional volleyball players.

Jumping Flying Distance and Jump Performance of Elite Male Volleyball Players at FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship

We investigated different specific jumping performances of high-level male volleyball players. The aim of this study was to assess covered jumping distance, jump height, and number of jumps performed at certain positions by volleyball players competing at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Poland. A total of 140 male volleyball players from national teams participated in the study. The analysis was performed for jumping flying distance (JFD), jump serve height (SJH), attack jump height (AJH), block jump height (BJH), and quantity of jumps (JC). The analysis of JFD of attack jumps showed that the middles covered a shorter distance than the other players. When analyzing the block jump lengths, distance during jump performance covered by the receivers (R1) was shorter than that of the opposites. Analysis of SJH by volleyball players at various positions showed statistically significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) among the middles (M1, M2), receivers (R1, R2), and opposites (O). Statistically significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in BJH were found between the middles and the rest of the players. The results of the experiment show a high degree of reliability for jump height during serve and attack, jumping flying distance covered during an attack, and number of block jumps. The strongest relationship was seen between jump components, which predominantly depend only on a volleyball player performing a specific action (e.g., jump serve or attack jump).

Selected Kinematic Characteristics Analysis of Knee and Ankle Joints During Block Jump Among Elite Junior Volleyball Players

Selected Kinematic Characteristics Analysis of Knee and Ankle Joints During Block Jump Among Elite Junior Volleyball Players

Squat Jump Exercise Increased Spike Jump and Block Jump Reach of Junior Volleyball Athletes

Spike jump and block jump were characteristic movements of volleyball. These movement were determined by explosive power of leg, strength of musculoskeletal, length of lower limb and length of arm. Explosive power could be enhanced by plyometric exercise, like squat jump. The aims of study to analyse the role of squat jump exercise program on spike jump reach and block jump reach of junior volleyball athletes. Twenty-three junior athletes (male 11 and female 12) participated in pre and post-test experiment study. The squat jump exercise program was conducted three time a week, for along 7 weeks. The squat jump exercise involved squat jump, squat jumpwithbox,forearmpassingwhilesquatjumpandsquatjumpwithrunningtakeoff. The data were analysed by paired t-test to compare pre and post-test. The experiment resultedincreasingofspikejumpbothmen(p&lt;0.001)andwomen(p&lt;0.001).Increasing of block jump in men (p&lt;0.001) and women (p=009). We concluded that squat jump exercise regularly effective to increase the spike jump and block jump reach junior volleyball athletes.

Tapping the Full Potential? Jumping Performance of Volleyball Athletes in Game-Like Situations

Background: One key issue in elite interactive team sports is the simultaneous execution of motor actions (e.g., dribbling a ball) and perceptual-cognitive tasks (e.g., visually scanning the environment for action choices). In volleyball, one typical situation is to prepare and execute maximal block jumps after multiple-options decision-making and concurrent visual tracking of the ongoing game dynamics to find an optimal blocking location. Based on resource-related dual- and multi-tasking theories simultaneous execution of visual-cognitive and motor tasks may interfere with each other. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether volleyball-specific perceptual-cognitive demands (i.e., divided attention, decision making) affect blocking performance (i.e., jumping performance and length of the first step after the ready-block-position) compared to relatively isolated jumping performance.Methods: Twenty-two elite volleyball players (1st – 3rd German league) performed block jumps in front of a net construction in a single-task condition (ST) and in two perceptual (-cognitive) dual-task conditions including a dual-task low (DT_L; presenting a picture of an opponent attack on a screen) and a dual-task high condition (DT_H; presenting videos of an offensive volleyball set play with a two-alternative choice).Results: The results of repeated-measures ANOVAs showed a significant effect of conditions on jumping performance [F(2,42) = 33.64, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.62] and on the length of the first step after the ready-block-position [F(2,42) = 7.90, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.27). Post hoc comparisons showed that jumping performance in DT_H (p < 0.001) and DT_L (p < 0.001) was significantly lower than in ST. Also, length of the first step after the ready-block-position in DT_H (p = 0.005) and DT_L (p = 0.028) was significantly shorter than in ST.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that blocking performance (i.e., jumping height, length of the first step) decreases in elite volleyball players when a perceptual (-cognitive) load is added. Based on the theory of Wickens (2002), this suggests a resource overlap between visual-processing demands for motor performance and for tracking the dynamics of the game. Interference with the consequence of dual-task related performance costs can therefore also be found in elite athletes in their specific motor expert domain.

Acute Effects of Block Jumps in Female Volleyball Players: The Role of Performance Level.

Although the role of jumping ability in female volleyball players is well recognised, the effect of fatigue on this ability is not well known. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a series of block jumps (BJ) on jumping ability and whether it varies by performance level. Ten elite (EG) and 11 amateur (AG) female volleyball players performed a fatigue intervention consisting of 45 BJ, being tested for squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and BJ before and after the intervention. Elasticity index (EI): (100 × (CMJ − SJ)/SJ) and upper limbs coordination index (ULCI): (100 × (BJ − CMJ)/CMJ) were calculated. After the intervention, EG showed a decrease of 4.40% in BJ height (p = 0.04; ES = 0.40), whereas AG presented an increase of 1.27%, which was not significant (p = 0.57; ES = 0.07). However, EG and AG presented no significant differences in SJ (p = 0.965 and p = 0.655) and CMJ (p = 0.742 and p = 0.211) when comparing baseline with post-intervention. Although EI and ULCI showed no significant differences after intervention in any group (AG: p = 0.989 and p = 0.114; EG: p = 0.242 and p = 0.205, respectively), AG presented a medium effect size (ES = 0.50) in EI and a small one in ULCI (ES = 0.37), also EG showed a medium-large effect in ULCI (ES = 0.75). These findings suggest that EG performance in BJ tends to decrease at the end of a specific jump training practice. Therefore, coaches and fitness trainers working with elite volleyball players should focus on exercises to maintain jumping ability during a match.

Validation of the VERT wearable jump monitor device in elite youth volleyball players.

This technical report aims to determine the validity and the accuracy of the VERT Wearable Jump Monitor. The participants of this study were all experienced volleyball players from the U18 category from the Brazilian National team. To assess jump performance, the VERT scores were compared to the VERTEC (jump and reach device). Each athlete performed 3 attack and 3 block jumps in a random, counterbalanced order, and the average score was registered. In the attack jumps, the VERTEC and VERT mean ± SD scores were 70.9±8.2 and 76.3±7.5 cm, respectively, and the typical error of the estimate (TEE) as a coefficient of variation (CV) was 7.8% (90% CL 7.0 to 8.9%). VERTEC and VERT devices presented a very large Pearson’s correlation for attack jumps (r=0.75; 90% CL 0.68 to 0.81). In addition, the mean±SD block jumps were 53.7±6.1 and 58.5±5.7 cm for the VERTEC and VERT, respectively and the TEE as a CV was 7.9% (90% CL 7.1 to 8.9%). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was very large for block jumps (r=0.75; 90% CL 0.67 to 0.81). The VERT device was found to be a very practical tool to quantify jump performance in volleyball players.

Identification of types of landings after blocking in volleyball associated with risk of ACL injury

Landing with a low knee flexion angle after volleyball block jumps may be associated with an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The aim of the present study was to identify the types of volleyball landings after blocks where the knee flexion angle is found to be under a critical knee flexion angle value of 30° at the instant of the first peak of the ground reaction force (GRF). Synchronized kinematic and kinetic data were collected for each trial. T-tests were used to determine if each knee flexion angle at the instant of the peak GRF was significantly different from the critical value of 30°. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare knee flexion angle, time to first peak and the magnitude of the first peak of the resultant GRF and knee stiffness. Significantly lower knee flexion angles were found in the “go” landing (p = .01, ES = 0.6) and the “reverse” landing (p = .02, ES = 0.6) only. The results for knee flexion angle and GRF parameters indicated a significant difference between a “reverse” and “go” and other types of landings, except the “side stick” landing for GRF. The “reverse” and “go” landings may present a risk for ACL injury due to the single-leg landing of these activities that have an associated mediolateral movement.

Validity And Reliability Of A Repeated Defensive Movements Test For Beach Volleyball Players

PURPOSE: To design and report reliability and validity of a new test for assessing defensive repeated defensive movements on the sand (Double-X). METHODS: Fourteen beach volleyball male amateur players (24±3 yrs; 1.91±0.11 m height; 79.66±10.41 kg weight) were voluntarily recruited for this study. The Double-X test consisted in repeating diagonal runs in different directions between 4 cones situated at the corners of the sand court (separated 8 m). The whole test was video recorded with a Casio ZR-1000 high speed camera (240fps) and the frames were counted to determine the time of different intervals. The second tests consisted in performing block jumps and attack jumps on the sand. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated and Person product-moment correlation was used to compare Double-X and jump ability. We also used compared the results of the tests and lactate samples at the end of the test. RESULTS: CV was less than 3% in all tests. Significant correlations were found between Double-X time and Block jump (r=-0.78; p0.05). Mean lactate levels of 7.6±2.1 mMol/l were found. We also found relationships between different tranches of the test that indicate differences in the ability to perform quick repeated defensive actions on the sand. CONCLUSIONS: Double-X constitutes a reliable and valid test for repeated defensive movements on the sand court. Lactate levels of the subjects indicated that this is a specific anaerobic test.

Height of jump and maximal power output of the lower limbs in volleyball players

Buśko Krzysztof, Szulc Adam, Kaminski Marek. Height of jump and maximal power output of the lower limbs in volleyball players. Journal of Education, Health and Sport . 2015;5(9):747-753 . ISSN 2391-8306 . DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.44237 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%289%29%3A747-753 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/687072 Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011–2014: http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja. Specyfika i zawartośc merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie. Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., ze w roku 2014 nie bedzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktow co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r. The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014). © The Author (s) 2015; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 25.09.2015. Revised 25.10.2015. Accepted: 31.10.2015. Height of jump and maximal power output of the lower limbs in volleyball players Buśko Krzysztof 1 , Adam Szulc 2 , Marek Kaminski 2 1 – Zaklad Biomechaniki, Instytut Sportu – Panstwowy Instytut Badawczy, Warszawa 2 – Instytut Kultury Fizycznej, Uniwersytet Kazimierza Wielkiego, Bydgoszcz 1 – Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland 2 – Institute of Physical Culture, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland Buśko Krzysztof, dr hab. prof. nadzw. Zaklad Biomechaniki, Instytut Sportu – Panstwowy Instytut Badawczy, Trylogii 2/16, 01-982 Warszawa Tel. 22 8340812 w. 247 krzysztof.busko@insp.waw.pl Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the results obtained in the coaching tests (block jump and spike jump) with the results of laboratory tests (counter-movement jump and spike jump performed on force plate) in volleyball players. The study involved 16 volleyball players. Characteristics of participants: age 17.2 ± 0.7 years, body height 196.2 ± 7.6 cm, body mass 86.4 ± 10.0 kg, training experience of 7.8 ± 1.6 years. Each volleyball player performed coaching test consisting of three block jumps and three spike jumps, and laboratory test consisting of three counter-movement jump (CMJ) and three spike jump (SPJ) performed on force plate. The mean values obtained by the competitors in the coaching test were: height in block jump 47.6±5.2 cm, height in spike jump 72.4±7.6 cm, and laboratory test: the height of rise of the body’s centre of mass in the CMJ 47.9±4.0 cm and SPJ 60.8 ±5.7 cm. Significant differences were found between height in spike jump and the height of rise of the body’s centre of mass in the SPJ. Significant relationship were found between the height of jump obtained during laboratory and coaching tests. In conclusion, height of jump in CMJ measured in coaching test doesn’t differ from the height of rise of the body’s centre of mass measured in SPJ jump on force plate (laboratory tests).

Comparison of the height of jump and maximal power of the lower limbs using coaching and laboratory tests in volleyball players

Buśko Krzysztof, Szulc Adam, Kolodziejczyk Michal. Comparison of the height of jump and maximal power of the lower limbs using coaching and laboratory tests in volleyball . Journal of Health Sciences. 2014;4(13):201-206. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/article/view/2014%3B4%2813%29%3A201-206 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2014%3B4%2813%29%3A201-206 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/520912 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13869 http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13869 The former journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1107. (17.12.2013). © The Author (s) 2014; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Radom University in Radom, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. Conflict of interest: None declared. Received: 10.09.2014. Revised 15.09.2014. Accepted: 04.11.2014. Comparison of the height of jump and maximal power of the lower limbs using coaching and laboratory tests in volleyball players Krzysztof Buśko 1 , Adam Szulc 2 , Michal Kolodziejczyk 2 1 Zaklad Biomechaniki, Instytut Sportu, Warszawa 2 Instytut Kultury Fizycznej, Uniwersytet Kazimierza Wielkiego, Bydgoszcz 1 Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland 2 Institute of Physical Culture, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland Buśko Krzysztof, dr hab. prof. nadzw. Zaklad Biomechaniki, Instytut Sportu, Warszawa, Trylogii 2/16, 01-982 Warszawa Tel. 22 8340812 w. 247 krzysztof.busko@insp.waw.pl Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the results obtained in the coaching tests (block jump and spike jump) with the results of laboratory tests (counter-movement jump and spike jump performed on force plate) in volleyball players. The study involved 29 players taking part in the competition Polish Volleyball League SA. Characteristics of participants: age 27.3 ± 3.8 years, body height 197.2 ± 6.7 cm, body mass 91.6 ± 8.9 kg, training experience of 7.5 ± 3.5 years. Each volleyball player performed coaching test consisting of three block jumps and three spike jumps, and laboratory test consisting of three counter-movement jump (CMJ) and three spike jump (SPJ) performed on force plate. The mean values obtained by the competitors in the coaching test were: height in block jump 61.5±8.8 cm, height in spike jump 81.1±10.3 cm, and laboratory test: the height of rise of the body’s centre of mass in the CMJ 52.2±5.4 cm and SPJ 63.8 ±8.0 cm. Significant relationship were found between maximal power output in CMJ, SPJ performed on force plate and height of jump obtained during laboratory and coaching tests. In conclusion, height of jumps measured in coaching test significantly differ from the height of rise of the body’s centre of mass measured in jumps on force plate (laboratory tests). Significant relationship were found between maximal power output in CMJ, SPJ performed on force plate and height of jump obtained during laboratory and coaching tests. No relationship were found between the one’s grasp measured in jump of coaching test and the power output obtained in CMJ, SPJ (laboratory test).

Vertical Jumping Tests in Volleyball

Vertical jumping is known to be important in volleyball, and jumping performance tests are frequently studied for their reliability and validity. However, most studies concerning jumping in volleyball have dealt with standard rather than sport-specific jumping procedures and tests. The aims of this study, therefore, were (a) to determine the reliability and factorial validity of 2 volleyball-specific jumping tests, the block jump (BJ) test and the attack jump (AJ) test, relative to 2 frequently used and systematically validated jumping tests, the countermovement jump test and the squat jump test and (b) to establish volleyball position-specific differences in the jumping tests and simple anthropometric indices (body height [BH], body weight, and body mass index [BMI]). The BJ was performed from a defensive volleyball position, with the hands positioned in front of the chest. During an AJ, the players used a 2- to 3-step approach and performed a drop jump with an arm swing followed by a quick vertical jump. A total of 95 high-level volleyball players (all men) participated in this study. The reliability of the jumping tests ranged from 0.97 to 0.99 for Cronbach's alpha coefficients, from 0.93 to 0.97 for interitem correlation coefficients and from 2.1 to 2.8 for coefficients of variation. The highest reliability was found for the specific jumping tests. The factor analysis extracted one significant component, and all of the tests were highly intercorrelated. The analysis of variance with post hoc analysis showed significant differences between 5 playing positions in some of the jumping tests. In general, receivers had a greater jumping capacity, followed by libero players. The differences in jumping capacities should be emphasized vis-a-vis differences in the anthropometric measures of players, where middle hitters had higher BH and body weight, followed by opposite hitters and receivers, with no differences in the BMI between positions.