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KINEMATIC AND NEUROMUSCULAR MEASURES DURING DROP LANDINGS IN COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL ATHLETES

Abstract

Volleyball is a sport played by two teams marked by brief, high-intensity bursts of activity lasting 3 to 9 seconds, followed by short recovery periods of 10 to 20 seconds (García-De-Alcaraz et al., 2020). The ability of the neuromuscular system to absorb and generate power through the lower limbs is essential for optimal performance in volleyball (Bello et al., 2020; Grgantov et al., 2005). Actions such as blocking, serving, setting and spiking may require jumping vertically and are related to enhanced volleyball performance (Sheppard et al., 2007; Torres-Banduc et al., 2021; Ziv and Lidor, 2010). However, limited information regarding landing kinematic and neuromuscular characteristics is available for NCAA Division-II female volleyball athletes. PURPOSE: To quantify lower-extremity kinematic and neuromuscular characteristics specific to the collegiate female volleyball population during a drop landing (DL) task. METHODS: Fifteen NCAA Division-II female volleyball athletes (height: 174.99 ± 7.31 cm; weight: 72.37 ± 10.22 kg) participated in this study. Participants performed three DLs from a height of 53.34cm. Descriptives statistics and a one-way ANOVA were utilized to analyze data. RESULTS: Significant differences between positions groups were observed for peak force (3901.23±1080.66 N; p = 0.03), right leg peak force (2191.11±725.05 N; p 0.01), right leg average impact force ( 945.19±283.13 N; p = 0.02), and stabilization phase duration (0.25±0.07 seconds; p = 0.017). Outside hitters demonstrated significantly higher values for each of these measures when compared to designated setters and liberos. However, no significant differences between position groups were observed for any measure of peak relative force, left leg peak force, left leg average impact force, stability depth, impact rate of force development (RFD), left or right impact RFD, stiffness, or impact phase duration. CONCLUSION: To conclude, the purpose of this study was to quantify lower-extremity kinematics specific to the collegiate female volleyball population during a DL task. Findings from this study highlight kinematic and neuromuscular similarities and differences within the collegiate female volleyball population. Sports performance practitioners may utilize these findings to optimize athletic performance.

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