A Full Collegiate Volleyball Season Does Not Influence Jumping or Landing Performance in Freshmen and Sophomore Players
Abstract
Knee injuries are devastating and typically experienced by athletes when performing jumping and landing tasks throughout a complete collegiate volleyball season. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in lower extremity strength, frontal plane knee angles and moments, jump performance during a countermovement and approach jump before and after a complete Division I collegiate volleyball season in female volleyball freshman and sophomores. Eight freshman/sophomore female collegiate volleyball players participated in the study. Lower extremity strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer, kinematic and kinetic data were obtained through three-dimensional motion capture system and force platforms, respectively. Participants performed five consecutive, extension-flexion movements on the dynamometer at sixty degrees per second. Participants then completed five successful trials of a countermovement and approach jump. Data were obtained before the start of, and immediately upon completion of the season. Variables of interest included sagittal and frontal plane knee displacement and moment, average peak knee extension and flexion, and hamstring to quadriceps ratio, which were examined via two by two factorial analysis of variance while peak vertical ground reaction force, jump height, landing momentum, rate of force attenuation and loading and attenuation impulse contribution were compared via dependent t-tests to identify differences between time and limbs (=0.05). Analysis revealed increased jump height for the approach jump (p = 0.03). No other significant differences were detected for the approach jump (p > 0.05). No significant changes were detected for the countermovement jump in any variables nor in lower extremity strength (p > 0.05). Findings suggest that a complete collegiate volleyball season has no adverse effects on lower extremity strength, landing mechanics nor compromises performance. Lack of significant changes associated with injury indicated that this group of players were not at increased risk of injury or negative performance resulting from fatigue throughout the course of the season.
Subject Area
Biomechanics|Kinesiology
Recommended Citation
Sanchez, Christian Noel, "A Full Collegiate Volleyball Season Does Not Influence Jumping or Landing Performance in Freshmen and Sophomore Players" (2020). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI28258919.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI28258919