The Association Between Force-Velocity Relationship in Countermovement Jump and Sprint With Approach Jump, Linear Acceleration and Change of Direction Ability in Volleyball Players

Abstract

The force-velocity (FV) relationship allows the identification of the mechanical capabilities of musculoskeletal system to produce force, power and velocity. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of the mechanical variables derived from the FV relationship with approach jump, linear sprint and change of direction (CoD) ability in young male volleyball players. Thirty-seven participants performed countermovement jumps with incremental loads from bodyweight to 50–100 kg (depending on the individual capabilities), 25-m sprint with split times being recorded for the purpose of FV relationship calculation, two CoD tests (505 test and modified T-test) and approach jump. Results in this study show that approach jump performance seems to be influenced by maximal power output (r = 0.53) and horizontal force production (r = 0.51) in sprinting, as well as force capacity in jumping (r = 0.45). Only the FV variables obtained from sprinting alone contributed to explaining linear sprinting and CoD ability (r = 0.35–0.93). An interesting finding is that sprinting FV variables have similar and some even stronger correlation with approach jump performance than jumping FV variables, which needs to be considered for volleyball training optimization. Based on the results of this study it seems that parameters that refer to horizontal movement capacity are important for volleyball athletic performance. Further interventional studies are needed to check how to implement specific FV-profile-based training programs to improve specific mechanical capabilities that determine volleyball athletic performance and influence the specific physical performance of volleyball players.

Vertical Versus Horizontal Training for Improving the Change of Direction Speed in Adult Basketball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…But this could be justified because, although the horizontal force demands in COD actions are high, gravity always acts in all sporting actions and the vertical force demands could be greater (75). However, previous research has found a relationship between the mechanical variables of the horizontal force-velocity profile (F-Vp) and COD performance in soccer ( r ≤ −0.54; p ≤ 0.03) (76) and volleyball players ( r ≤ −0.42; p < 0.01) (70). Within the horizontal force variables, maximal strength ( r ≤ −0.42; p ≤ 0.02) and power ( r ≤ −0.58; p < 0.01), and the ability to apply horizontal force effectively with a more forward orientation to the ground ( r ≤ −0.54; p < 0.05), correlated most strongly with COD performance.…”

The impact of the relations between the explosive power of the lower limbs measured by a force-velocity test versus field tests (horizontal jump, speed test and agility test) in young North African volleyball players.

“…Previous studies revealed that a successful COD needs enhanced physical capacities of lower body strength and power (4,7,13,15,18,21,25,32,37,45,47). The results from the research of Banda et al (13) con rmed that possessing a tting level of lower-body power should assist an athlete in rapidly changing direction in reply to the demands of the competition.…”

“…It has been previously revealed that performance in different types of jumps tests has positive relationships with faster linear and COD in athletic populations (7,13,21,25,47). The FVt, as a strength/power test, utilized the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) capacities of the lower body, and this is an important quality for speed linear (eg; T 5 , T 10, and T 20 ).…”

“…Signi cant correlations between absolute and relative strength and COD in female collegiate soccer players were reported (22). Slight research exists on the relationship between power abilities [peak-leg power (P peak ) measured on a cycle ergometer (force-velocity test, FVt)], horizontal jump and vertical jump (7,23), COD, and speed in volleyball players (7,18,24,25). Understanding these relationships can help to develop training programs to improve court performance in this population.…”

A Brief Review of Selected Biomechanical Variables for Sport Performance Monitoring and Training Optimization

“…One of our studies reported that approach jump performance was influenced by Pmax (r = 0.53) and F0 (r = 0.51) in sprinting, as well as F0 in jumping (r = 0.45). On the other hand, only the FV variables obtained from sprinting alone contributed to explaining linear sprinting and CoD ability (r = 0.35-0.93) [100]. Marcote-Pequeño et al [92] reported that jump height was strongly correlated with Pmax and moderately with V0 in both jumping and sprinting FV profiles in elite female football athletes, while moderate correlations with F0 were found only in the sprinting FV profile.…”