Positional Differences in Jump Loads and Force and Velocity Metrics Throughout a 16-Week Division I Volleyball Season

Gabriel J Sanders; Stacie Skodinski; Damjana V Cabarkapa; Mason Howard; Dimitrije Cabarkapa; Corey A Peacock

doi:10.1155/tsm2/5933923

Positional Differences in Jump Loads and Force and Velocity Metrics Throughout a 16-Week Division I Volleyball Season

Transl Sports Med. 2024 Dec 18:2024:5933923. doi: 10.1155/tsm2/5933923. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Gabriel J Sanders¹, Stacie Skodinski², Damjana V Cabarkapa³, Mason Howard⁴, Dimitrije Cabarkapa³, Corey A Peacock⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
² Department of Strength and Conditioning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
³ Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA.
⁴ Department of Kinesiology and Health, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
⁵ Department of Kinesiology, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

Abstract

The study quantified total and high-intensity jump counts and assessed neuromuscular performance through countermovement jump (CMJ) force and velocity metrics by position. Twelve Division I female athletes (19.6 ± 1.3 years; 182.7 ± 6.5 cm) were included in the 16-week study using wearable microsensors to monitor daily jump loads. CMJ tests were conducted twice weekly using dual force plates to measure force and velocity metrics. There were significant main effects of position (p ≤ 0.001) for jump and force plate metrics. Middle blockers accumulated significantly more jump counts of 38.1 cm or higher (jumps 38+; 65.4 ± 39.2 counts) and jump counts of 50.8 cm or higher (jumps 50+; 39.5 ± 32.7 counts) compared to outside hitters (jumps 38+; 39.4 ± 25.9 counts and jumps 50+; 15.0 ± 15.6 counts) and opposite hitters (jumps 38+; 47.9 ± 24.1 counts and jumps 50+; 29.7 ± 18.1 counts), while setters had the fewest high-intensity jump counts (jumps 38+; 19.0 ± 16.6 counts and jumps 50+; 0.4 ± 0.8 counts). Middle blockers had the highest CMJ height (36.1 ± 6.4 cm), deepest CMJ depth (-41.7 ± 6.4 cm) and peak (2.75 ± 0.22 m/s) and average (1.49 ± 0.08 m/s) propulsion velocities (2.75 ± 0.22 m/s). Meanwhile, setters had significantly greater braking RFD (7839 ± 2617 N), average (1698 ± 223 N) and peak braking force (2061 ± 248 N), and average (1446 ± 88 N) and peak propulsion force (1994 ± 213 N), compared to all other positions. Opposite and outside hitters' data fell between setters and middle blockers. Regardless of position, neuromuscular performance fluctuates during the season and there are noticeable positional differences in jump loads and force and velocity metrics.