Premium
High jump demands in professional volleyball—large variability exists between players and player positions
Author(s) -
Skazalski Christopher,
Whiteley Rod,
Bahr Roald
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13255
Subject(s) - jump , jumper , training (meteorology) , mathematics , jumping , position (finance) , competition (biology) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , physical therapy , medicine , computer science , business , physics , meteorology , physiology , finance , quantum mechanics , operating system , ecology , biology
Training volume has been associated with jumper's knee in volleyball players, but jump variability among professionals has not been investigated and individual jump demands are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine position‐specific jump demands required for training and competition during a professional volleyball season and to investigate the individual variability associated with jump load. Jumps performed by 14 professional players during one season of training and competition were timestamped, individually assigned, and recorded for jump height. Jump counts, heights, and frequency were analyzed to determine the specific jump load performed by players at each position during training and match play. A total of 129 173 jumps were performed during 142 sessions (108 practices, 27 matches, 7 friendly matches). Setters performed the greatest volume of jumps (121 jumps/training session). Opposites performed more high‐intensity jumps than their teammates (median season jump height: 69% of maximum). Substantial weekly jump count variability was observed, 18 of 28 weeks included at least one player with a twofold increase in jump load or a player returning to volleyball after performing no jumps the previous week. Additionally, each player had at least 1 week with a twofold increase in jumps. Jump demands are high in professional volleyball, and performance programs should be tailored to the match and training demands required at each position. Jump loads are highly variable—substantial week‐to‐week increases were observed for both the team and individual players. As a result, monitoring individual jump load seems necessary.