Monitoring Competition Jump Load in Division I Female Collegiate Volleyball Athletes

Abstract

Aim

Tracking competition jump data provides a practical approach for assessing external load in volleyball.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze competition jump load in collegiate volleyball players.

Methods

Data from nine National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I female volleyball players from the 2018 and 2019 competitive seasons were analyzed. Jumps were individually assigned, time-stamped, and recorded for height. Jump count and rate overall and at low, moderate, high, and maximal intensities were calculated. One-way ANOVAs were used to assess the variance in mean jump height from all jumps (HT_all) and top five jump heights from each match (HT_top5) across positions (middle blocker vs. outside hitter vs. right-side hitter), timepoint in season (early vs. mid- vs. late), match length (3- vs. 4- vs. 5-set match), and Friday/Sunday matches and two-way ANOVAs were used to analyze jump count and rate differences across intensities.

Results

Significant differences in HT_all and HT_top5 across positions (P < 0.001) were shown. Main effects were found for jump count and rate by position (P < 0.001) and for jump count by match length (P < 0.001). Significant intensity × position interactions for jump count and rate by position (P < 0.001) and by timepoint (P < 0.01) and jump count by match length (P < 0.001) were found. No statistically significant variance was observed in HT_all or HT_top5 based on timepoint (P > 0.05), HT_all, HT_top5, or jump rate by match length (P > 0.05), or HT_all, HT_top5, jump count, or jump rate between Friday/Sunday matches (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Significant differences in competition jump height and load exist in NCAA Division I female volleyball players. Jump load alterations during training sessions may be warranted to maximize athlete readiness and performance.