Physiological, anthropometric, and power profiling data were retrospectively analyzed from 4 elite taekwondo athletes from the Australian National Olympic team 9 weeks from Olympic departure. Power profiling data were collected weekly throughout the 9-week period. Anthropometric skinfolds generated a lean mass index (LMI). Physiological tests included a squat jump and bench throw power profile, bleep test, 20-m sprint test, running VO2max test, and bench press and squat 3 repetition maximum (3RM) strength tests. After this, the athletes power, velocity, and acceleration profile during unweighted squat jumps and single-leg jumps were tracked using a linear position transducer. Increases in power, velocity, and acceleration between weeks and bilateral comparisons were analyzed. Athletes had an LMI of 37.1 ± 0.4 and were 173.9 ± 0.2 m and 67 ± 1.1 kg. Relatively weaker upper body (56 ± 11.97 kg 3RM bench press) compared to lower body strength (88 ± 2.89 kg 3RM squat) was shown alongside a VO2max of 53.29 ml(-1)·min(-1)·kg, and a 20-m sprint time of 3.37 seconds. Increases in all power variables for single-leg squat and squat jumps were found from the first session to the last. Absolute peak power in single-leg squat jumps increased by 13.4-16% for the left and right legs with a 12.9% increase in squat jump peak power. Allometrically scaled peak power showed greater increases for single-leg (right leg: 18.55%; left: 23.49%) and squat jump (14.49%). The athlete's weight did not change significantly throughout the 9-week mesocycle. Progressions in power increases throughout the weeks were undulating and can be related to the intensity of the prior week's training and athlete injury. This analysis has shown that a 9-week mesocycle before Olympic departure that focuses on core lifts has the ability to improve power considerably.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the changes in performance indicators as they relate to strength and speed-strength development, over 2 years in a group of volleyball players who successfully transitioned from age group (U21) to senior national team in that time period. Sixteen male subjects (age: 18.5 ± 1.5 years, height: 2.00 ± 0.06 m, and weight: 88.4 ± 7.7 kg) participated in this 2-year longitudinal study. During the 24-month period of this investigation, all the subjects gained professional European contracts and also debuted with at least 1 senior national team match. These included, at a minimum, not only international friendly matches but also senior continental championships, World Championships, and the World Cup. Testing included 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and 3RM for the clean and squat, a maximum effort counter movement vertical jump (CMVJ), depth jump from a 0.35-m box (DJ), spike jump (with approach) (SPJ), and lower body speed-strength assessment with a body weight and body weight + 50% load. Large magnitude increases were observed for CMVJ, DJ, and SPJ over the 2-year period (d = 0.80, 0.82, and 0.94, respectively, p < 0.001). Unloaded (body weight) and loaded jump-squat performance also exhibited large improvements for all measured parameters, with very large increases in jump height in the unloaded (d = 1.21, p = 0.002) and loaded jump squat (d = 1.346, p < 0.001). Very large magnitude changes in 1RM Clean and 3RM Squat (d = 1.56 and 2.21, respectively, p < 0.001) were observed over the 2-year investigation period, and a large increase (d = 1.18, p < 0.001) in the lean mass ratio (mass/sum skinfolds). To progress from junior representation to senior national team, volleyball players must increase their CMVJ and SPJ. This is best accomplished through increasing lean mass, reducing fat mass, improving strength and speed strength, and developing high levels of stretch-load tolerance in stretch-shorten cycle activity.

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