Training-induced changes in physical performance can be achieved without body mass reduction after eight week of strength and injury prevention oriented programme in volleyball female players

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyse the changes in muscle strength, power, and somatic parameters in elite volleyball players after a specific pre-season training programme aimed at improving jumping and strength performance and injury prevention. Twelve junior female volleyball players participated in an 8-week training programme. Anthropometric characteristics, isokinetic peak torque (PT) single-joint knee flexion (H) and extension (Q) at 60º/s and 180º/s, counter movement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and reactive strength index (RSI) were measured before and after intervention. Significant moderate effects were found in flexor concentric PT at 60º/s and at 180 º/s in the dominant leg (DL) (18.3±15.1%, likely; 17.8±11.2%, very likely) and in extensor concentric PT at 180º/s (7.4%±7.8%, very likely) in the DL. In the non-dominant leg (NL) significant moderate effects were found in flexor concentric PT at 60º/s and at 180º/s (13.7±11.3%, likely; 13.4±8.0%, very likely) and in extensor concentric PT at 180º/s (10.7±11.5%, very likely). Small to moderate changes were observed for H/QCONV in the DL at 60º/s and 180º/s (15.9±14.1%; 9.6±10.4%, both likely) and in the NL at 60º/s (moderate change, 9.6±11.8%, likely), and small to moderate decreases were detected for H/QFUNC at 180º/s, in both the DL and NL (-7.0±8.3%, likely; -9.5±10.0%, likely). Training-induced changes in jumping performance were trivial (for RSI) to small (for CMJ and SJ). The applied pre-season training programme induced a number of positive changes in physical performance and risk of injury, despite a lack of changes in body mass and composition.

Effects of Tabata Training During Physical Education Classes on Body Composition, Aerobic Capacity, and Anaerobic Performance of Under-, Normal- and Overweight Adolescents

“…However, our results differ from those published in previous work [14,20], which showed a positive impact of interval training on anaerobic markers (vertical jump and 10-m sprint). Other studies also reported improvements in lower limb power during countermovement jumps and squat jumps, which were not related to weight reduction [47]. The increase in power can be explained by the increased activity of the anaerobic glycolysis enzymes in skeletal muscles following interval training [48].…”

Neuromuscular Jumping Performance and Upper-Body Horizontal Power of Volleyball Players

“…Nevertheless, we should acknowledge that volleyball is characterized by several ballistic efforts such as vertical jumps, shots, and rapid changes of direction. Thus, upper-body horizontal power and neuromuscular jumping performance might play an important role in team success and should be relevant for the physical preparation of the player (14).…”

Kinematic Analysis of Volleyball Attack in the Net Center with Various Types of Take-Off

“…Pass, set up, attack, block, etc., can be mentioned as examples of individual basic skills creating the game. All of them utilize various motor skills and abilities as jumps, swings or different ways of locomotion as well as power, agility, flexibility and speed of reaction ( Lehnert et al, 2017 ). Elite players are requested to possess a high level of the above mentioned skills and abilities; among them jumping ability that influences performance in some of volleyball’s basic skills.…”