Whole body vibration (WBV) has been suggested to improve athletes’ neuromuscular strength and power. This study investigated the effect of single WBV stimulation on volleyball-specific performance. The participants were 20 elite male volleyball players who performed a 1-min warm-up exercise on a vibration platform at a frequency of 30 Hz and peak-to-peak displacement of 2 mm. After the warm-up exercise, the participants performed a blocking agility test (BAT), 10-m sprinting test, agility T-test, and counter movement jump test. We compared the participants’ performance at four time points (Pretest, Post 0, Post 1, and Post 2). The results revealed that the participants’ BAT performance and maximum rate of force development improved significantly 1 min after the vibration stimulation (p < 0.01). The WBV (frequency of 30-Hz, peak-to-peak displacement of 2 mm) intervention significantly improved the volleyball-specific defensive performance and speed strength of the participants. Accordingly, by undergoing WBV as a form of warm-up exercise, the technique and physical fitness of volleyball players can be improved.

The purpose of this research was to study the effects of a whole-body vibration (WBV) warm-up for improving fencers' performance on variables derived from a lunge reaction test, the 10-meter sprint, and the countermovement jump. We compared fencer performances at four time intervals: (a) preintervention, (b) immediately postintervention, (c) 1-minute postintervention, and (d) 2-minute postintervention. Study participants were 16 male fencers. The vibration frequency was 30 Hz, and its amplitude was two mm. After each WBV session, participants significantly improved their performance on all measures at both one and two minutes after the intervention. Specifically, lunge reaction tests scores improved by 5.50% and 7.34%, respectively, relative to preintevention testing ( p < .01), peak power output improved by 4.94% and 11.52%, respectively ( p < .05), and maximum rate of force development improved by 13.41% and 18.38%, respectively ( p < .01). Acute WBV (frequency = 30 Hz, peak-to-peak amplitude of two mm) induced neuromuscular activation and improved lunge reaction scores, agility, and power.

In volleyball matches, there are three minute intervals between sets. Therefore, the improvement of the muscle output ratio is one of the most import foundational physical elements for the players. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plyometric training on the changes in electrical signals in the lower limb muscles of male college volleyball players during continuous blocking and to examine the benefits of plyometric training on blocking agility and maximum vertical jump height. In this study, twenty elite male college volleyball players were recruited and divided into a plyometric training group (PTG) and a control group (CG). The wireless electromyography was used for data acquisition, and the electrodes were applied to the left and right rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius. The median frequency was used as the measurement of the electromyographic signals during the jumping blocks. This study used covariate analysis methods, with previously measured results used as covariates to perform a two-way analysis of covariance for the independent samples. Based on the results of this study, after 6 weeks of training, the median frequency of the rectus femoris (2.13% to 4.75% improved) and that of the tibialis anterior muscles (4.14% to 7.71% improved) were significantly lower in the PTG than in the CG. Additionally, the blocking agility increased by 6.26% and the maximum vertical jump height increased by 3.33% in the PTG compared to the CG. The findings provide important insights on the neuromuscular status for volleyball players during continuous blocking jumps. Six weeks of appropriate plyometric training can facilitate the performance of volleyball players.

The primary objective of this study was to design a digging agility system that was used to analyze the effectiveness of 6 weeks of plyometric training on volleyball players. A total of 24 highly trained college male volleyball players were recruited for this study. The players were equally divided into a plyometric training group and a control group. The agility T-test, peak power output test, 10-meter sprint, and digging agility test were used to examine the effects of plyometric training on the digging agility of volleyball players. One-way analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the differences in the variables between groups. The results reveal that after 6 weeks of plyometric training, the plyometric training group had significant improvements on the agility T-test, digging agility test, and peak power output tests, with statistical power values all greater than 90%. The plyometric training group significantly improved by 2.68% on the agility T-test, 2.35% on the digging agility test, and 7.32% on the peak power output test. The results indicated that appropriate plyometric training can enhance the agility of lateral movements and peak output of vertical jumps, as well as enable players to rapidly complete movements during a moving defense.

Previous research in badminton has associated unilateral landings following overhead strokes with the occurrence of knee injuries. Smashing involves tensing the abdomen muscles while swinging the racket rapidly and maintaining one’s balance while performing coordinated movements and steps; this process puts stress on the player’s lower limbs. However, few studies have compared the effects of different stroke training while performing various types of badminton strokes. This study investigated the influence of different stroke training on the smash action of badminton players. Three stroke training conditions were considered: shadow, target striking, and smashing. Sixteen male experienced badminton players were recruited for this study. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used to identify the differences. At the initial contact with the ground, the knee flexion and knee valgus angles under the smash condition were significantly higher than target and shadow conditions. Under the smash condition, hip abduction was significantly higher than under the target and shadow conditions. Moreover, the hip abduction under the target condition was significantly higher than under the shadow condition. At the maximum knee flexion, the hip abduction under the smash and target conditions was significantly higher than under the shadow condition. Regarding the time from the moment of initial contact to the peak of vertical ground reaction force it was shorter under the smash condition than the target and shadow conditions. The vertical ground reaction force was higher under the smash condition than under the target and shadow conditions. The 50 ms impulse was higher under the smash condition than under the target and shadow conditions. The main findings of this study are that under the smash condition, the motion in the frontal plane increased, which produced higher loads on the joints in the lower limbs. Player performed the same footwork under the three conditions, but the landing strategies differed because of unique swing motions and techniques. The condition under which a player hits a shot to a target area can affect the landing. The results of this study suggest that target practice is more effective for improving the landing technique employed during actual shots than shadow practice.