An investigation of leg and shoulder muscle strength ratios of elite female volleyball players

Abstract

Providing muscular strength balance is an important factor in both improving sport performance and preventing sports injuries. The aim of the current study is to determine the leg and shoulder muscle strength ratios of elite female volleyball players. 14 elite voluntary female volleyball players were included in the study. Dominant (D) and nondominant (ND) knee and shoulder muscle strength ratios of volleyball players who participated in the study were determined by isokinetic dynamometer at 60 ° s-1 and 180 ° s-1 angular speeds. Bilateral force differences (BLD), leg hamstring / quadriceps ratio (H/Q) and shoulder external / internal ratio (E/I) averages and standard deviations were determined for the leg and shoulder muscles after the obtained data were applied to the SPSS program. Statistical analysis revealed that the H/Q ratio was low and the E/I ratio was high at 60°s-1 and 180°s-1 angular velocities. It was also been determined that the BLD of the shoulder muscles was high while the BLD of the leg muscles was at the desired level at 60°s-1 and 180°s-1 angular speeds. As a result, the volleyball players participating in the study seem to have lower leg muscle strength and lower H/Q ratio. Furthermore, although it is thought that more work is done with the upper extremity in the volleyball, it can be said that lower extremity force development should not be ignored since it is a well-known fact that the entire body is carried by the lower extremity to change rapidly.

The Comparison of Lower Extremity Isokinetic Strength in Volleyball Players According to the Leagues

“…Although the upper extremity visually seems to do much work in volleyball (Yenigun et al, 2008), as volleyball involves jumping, sudden change of direction, deception, stopping, sudden movements, high level balance and sprint movements (Almeida & Soares, 2003;Dal Pupo, Detanico, & Dos Santos, 2012;Ibis, Iri, & Aktug, 2015;Akarcesme, Aktug, Aka, & Ibis, 2017). The lower extremity strength is more important than the upper extremity strength.…”

“…In the current study, it was determined that the BLD of the volleyball players is similar between the leagues and within the desired limits. In a similar study, it was determined that the isokinetic H/Q ratios of elite female volleyball players were low, while BLD was found to be within the desired limits (Akarcesme, Aktug, Aka, & Ibis, 2017). Akarcesme, Aktug, Aka and Ibis (2017) have associated the desired level of BLD with the use of volleyball players equally in both legs during training and performing a correct strength exercise.…”

“…In a similar study, it was determined that the isokinetic H/Q ratios of elite female volleyball players were low, while BLD was found to be within the desired limits (Akarcesme, Aktug, Aka, & Ibis, 2017). Akarcesme, Aktug, Aka and Ibis (2017) have associated the desired level of BLD with the use of volleyball players equally in both legs during training and performing a correct strength exercise. In another study, Magalhaes, Oliveira, Ascensao and Soares (2004) determined the difference between the isokinetic H/Q ratio and BLD of soccer players with volleyball players.…”

“…In the rewieved literature, isokinetic strength of the extensor and flexor muscle groups in volleyball were investigated (Akarcesme, Aktug, Aka, & Ibis, 2017;Bamac et al, 2008;Colonna & Ricciardi, 1998;Kim & Jeoung, 2016;Markou & Vegenas, 2016;Mattes et al, 2017;Yenigun et al, 2008) yet no comparison of isokinetic strength values with respect to the leagues was found. The aim of this study is to compare the lower extremity isokinetic strength and other related variables in male and female volleyball players according to their leagues.…”

The relationship between speed and isokinetic knee strength in female volleyball players

“…It is known that isokinetic dynamometer is a valid and reliable method in predicting muscle strength (Dekerle et al, 2014;Hadzic et al, 2014;Sattler et al, 2015) and it is frequently used in studies (Akarcesme et al, 2017;Markou and Vagenas, 2006;Teixeira et al, 2014). In the literature, there are studies in which isokinetic strength of athletes in different branches of sports and volleyball are measured (Cheung et al, 2012;Kabaciński et al, 2017), studies in which the role of different training programs on isokinetic strength is investigated in volleyball players (Mohammadi et al, 2012;Myer et al, 2006;Pau et al, 2012;Şahin et al, 2015;Yong-Youn and Si-Eun, 2016) and, 'in a remarkable way', many studies conducted on male volleyball players (Bamaç et al, 2008;Çelenk et al, 2019;Cheung et al, 2012;Hadzic et al, 2010;Kim and Jeoung, 2016;Markou and Vagenas, 2006;Özkan and Kin-İşler, 2011;Schons et al, 2018).…”