Effects of Differential Jump Training on Balance Performance in Female Volleyball Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether coordinative jump training that induces neuromuscular stimuli can affect balance performance, associated with injury risk, in elite-level female volleyball players. During the competitive season, the balance performance of 12 elite female players (highest Austrian division) was obtained via a wobble board (WB; 200 Hz) placed on an AMTI force plate (1000 Hz). Three identically repeated measurements defined two intervals (control and intervention phases), both comparable in duration and regular training. The intervention included 6 weeks of differential training (8 sessions of 15–20 min) that delivered variations in dynamics around the ankle joints. Multilevel mixed models were used to assess the effect on postural control. WB performance decreased from 27.0 ± 13.2% to 19.6 ± 11.3% during the control phase and increased to 54.5 ± 16.2% during the intervention (β = 49.1 ± 3.5; p < 0.001). Decreased sway area [cm²] (β = −7.5 ± 1.6; p < 0.001), anterior–posterior (β = −4.1 ± 0.4; p < 0.001) and mediolateral sway [mm] (β = −2.7 ± 0.6; p = 0.12), and mean velocity [mm∙s−1] (β = −9.0 ± 3.6; p < 0.05) were observed during the intervention compared with the control phase. Inter-limb asymmetry was reduced (β = −41.8 ± 14.4; p < 0.05). The applied training concept enhanced balance performance and postural control in elite female volleyball players. Due to the low additional physiological loads of the program and increased injury risk during the competitive season, we recommend this intervention for supporting injury prevention during this period.

The Effect of Differential Repeated Sprint Training on Physical Performance in Female Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

“…However, to what extent these specific reactions depend on the individual preferences of the jump and play leg or laterality in general should be clarified by future research. A study analysing the effect of differential jump training on balance performance and postural control of female volleyball players during single leg stance observed a decreased sway area and anterior–posterior and mediolateral sway, indicative of improvements on the aforementioned qualities [ 34 ]. Thus, the implementation of movement variations through DL principles during training generates neuromuscular stimuli that may result in improved balance performance and ankle stabilization [ 55 ], and consequently, in improved unilateral jumping.…”

“…We consider this investigation a pilot study due to the small sample size arising from the dropout rate, frequently observed in youth studies [ 34 , 37 ]. Since we mainly rely on the original Fisher statistics, extended by the effect sizes according to Neyman–Pearson [ 65 ], there is no claim for generalization [ 66 ].…”

“…However, a differentiation of effects comparing models that were influenced and inspired by DL theory, such as the rather eclectic constraints-led approach [ 31 ] or the gradual and stochastic DL [ 26 ], are pending. Indeed, the benefits of the training programs based on DL in both technical and physical skills have been reported in team sports [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Acute Effects of Various Movement Noise in Differential Learning of Rope Skipping on Brain and Heart Recovery Analyzed by Means of Multiscale Fuzzy Measure Entropy

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Combined impact method in the preparatory period of the annual macrocycle of female volleyball players aged 18–19 years old

“…At the same time, the position of the body and its parts were as close as possible to those encountered in competitive activity. Also, in the training process of volleyball players (girls) of this group, the method of combined-sequential loads with different prevailing orientation of the training action were applied [25]. At the same time, the previous loads created a morpho-functional basis for the effective impact on the athlete's body of the following loads.…”