Evaluation of Strength and Conditioning Measures With Game Success in Division I Collegiate Volleyball: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess relationships between strength and conditioning (SC) measures and game performance in Division I volleyball. Five years of SC and game data were collected from one women's Division I collegiate team, n = 76. SC measures included: T-drill, 18.3 m sprint, back squat, hang clean, vertical jump, and broad jump. All game and SC stats were normalized to Z-scores. Analyses included assessing SC differences by position, and multiple stepwise regression to assess relationships between game and SC stats. There was a significant difference by position for broad jump (p =.002), 18.3 m sprint (p =.036), vertical (p <.001), and total strength (p =.019). Overall, game performance and SC measures were significantly correlated (r = .439, p <.001). Multiple regression analyses indicated significant relationships (p < .05) between SC measures and game success by position as follows: defensive specialist stats with squat and total strength; setters game stats with hang cleans, T-drill, and broad jump; pin hitter game stats with vertical, squat, and total strength; middle blockers game stats with broad jump. These data indicate that SC measures correlate well with game performance and are specific by position. These data could help SC coaches create a more precise training approach to focus on improving specific measures by position, which could then translate to improved game performance. These data could also help coaches with talent identification to determine playing time and rotations to maximize player ability and achieve success.

A 2-year longitudinal follow-up of performance characteristics in Chinese male elite youth athletes from swimming and racket sports

“…The relevance of dynamic BS was reported in a variety of different sports. In game sports like basketball [29] or volleyball [30], maximal dynamic BS turned out to be a relevant predictor of sport performance, and also reduced injury prevalence [66]. In swimming, Morouco et al [32] found that the power of the squat movement is a relevant predictor not only for lunge speed and swimming power, but also enhances swimming endurance via a more stable prone position which reduces drag resistance considerably for all swimming velocities.…”

“…Finally, in jumping disciplines like basketball [29] or volleyball [30] maximal dynamic back strength (BS) turned out to be a relevant predictor of sport performance. This is explained by that the deadlift exercise contributes to the activation of the m. semitendinosus during leg extension and the push-off movement [31].…”

Physiological, Anthropometric, and Motor Characteristics of Elite Chinese Youth Athletes From Six Different Sports

“…In basketball (Chaouachi et al, 2009), as well as in volleyball (Bunn et al, 2017) maximal dynamic back strength turned out to be a relevant predictor of sport performance. Also, in judo it was shown by Drid et al (2015) that elite athletes exhibit a higher maximum dynamic strength in deadlift and squat testing than their subelite counterparts.…”

Strength and Conditioning Practices and Perspectives of Volleyball Coaches and Players

“…In particular, plyometrics are essential to volleyball training and can develop players' performance in vertical and horizontal jumping, strength, flexibility, speed, and agility [8]. The prescription of plyometrics should be individualized for each athlete's physical ability and playing position, as significant differences have been observed for upper body and lower body strength [9], lower body power, and sprint performance [10] across playing positions.…”