Strength and power training improve skill performance in volleyball players

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to test the influence of functional improvements in volleyball skills performance. Methods: Twenty-eight amateur female volleyball players were assigned to Skill (S: n = 14, 19.5 ± 4.6 yrs; 169.7 ± 7.2 cm; 62.9 ± 12.7 kg) or Skill and Strength/Power (S+SP: n = 14; 18.6 ± 3.5 yrs; 169.7 ± 5.1 cm; 63.3 ± 9.2 kg). S+SP performed eight weeks of volleyball and conditioning training. S maintained only volleyball training. Functional variables (i.e. strength, power, and agility measures) and volleyball skills performance in a game-situation context were assessed before and after training. Results: 1-RM squat and bench press, time at modified agility T-test, peak power at bench throw and medicine-ball throw distance improved for the S+SP (p<0,05). S group increased only in medicine-ball throw distance (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups in the functional variables tested (p>0.05). The probabilities of a perfect set and an attack 'kill' in S+SP improved (¶>0.90). Changes from pre to post-training were higher in S+SP than in S for a perfect set, 'stuff block' and defense with displacement (¶>0.90). Conclusion: Our data suggest that functional improvements may positively affect volleyball skills performance. Although functional variables revealed only within-group changes, S+SP produced greater improvements in skill performance than S, supporting the use of conditioning training to improve volleyball performance.

A prior isometric strength training increases muscle power performance of judo athletes / Exercício preparatório de força isométrico aumenta o desempenho de potência muscular de judocas

ABSTRACT Muscular power, a determinant in judo fights, can be developed by high intensity strength exercises through a mechanism known as post-activation potentiation. Thus, the objective of the present study is to verify the effect of isometric squat exercise on the performance of judo athletes. The sample was made up of eight judo athletes (22.3 ± 3.5 years old, 166.0 ± 6.0 cm; 65.4 ± 7.0 kg). The subjects went through four days of tests, one familiarization session, another as a control situation and two others as experimental sessions. In the experimental sessions, exercises in a Smith squat machine prior to the vertical countermovement jump (CMJ) test and a Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). In the control session, only SJFT was performed. Student's t test for paired samples was used to compare performances in the different situations. A significant increase was observed in the number of projections in the SJFT (25.5 ± 2.2 vs. 26.8 ± 2.2 projections) after MVIC and in the height in CMJ (31.0 ± 2.2 vs. 33.3 ± 2.2 cm). The MVIC exercise protocol performed as a preparatory activity increased the performance of judo athletes in judo-specific tests/SJFT and CMJ.

RESUMO A potência muscular, determinante nas lutas de judô, pode ser desenvolvida por exercícios de força de alta intensidade através de um mecanismo conhecido como potenciação pós-ativação. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo é verificar o efeito do agachamento em isometria no desempenho de judocas. A amostra foi composta por oito judocas (22,3 ± 3,5 anos; 166,0 ± 6,0 cm; 65,4 ± 7,0 kg). Foi realizado quatro dias de testes, uma para sessão de familiarização, uma para a situação controle e duas para sessões experimentais. Nas sessões experimentais foi testado o efeito do exercício de agachamento guiado em contração voluntária isométrica máxima (CVIM) no desempenho do Special Judo Fitness test (SJFT) e do salto vertical com contra movimento (SCM). Na sessão controle foi realizado apenas o SJFT. O teste T Student pareado foi utilizado para comparar o desempenho entre as diferentes situações. Após a execução da CVIM foi observado um aumento significativo no número de arremessos no teste SJFT (25,5±2,2 vs. 26,8±2,2 projeções) e na altura do SCM (31,0 ± 2,2 vs. 33,3±2,2 cm). O protocolo de exercício CVIM realizado como atividade preparatória aumentou o desempenho de atletas de judô em teste específicos do Judô / SJFT e de SCM.

Efecto agudo de Complex Training en press banca sobre la distancia del lanzamiento de la granada / Acute effect of a Complex Training over grenade throwing distance

Objetivo: determinar el efecto agudo de un Complex Training en press banca sobre el lanzamiento de la granada en pentatletas militares profesionales y aficionados. Métodos: diecinueve pentatletas militares divididos en dos grupos fueron parte del estudio. Las variables medidas fueron: distancia máxima del lanzamiento de la granada y potencias máximas en press banca. El protocolo consistió en: 4 series de 5 repeticiones al 30 por ciento de una repetición máxima, más 4 repeticiones al 60 por ciento de una repetición máxima, más 3 lanzamientos de granada con pausa de 15 segundos. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó ANOVA de medias. Resultados: la distancia máxima del lanzamiento de la granada presentó un aumento significativo entre la Serie Control y las cuatro series experimentales para el Grupo Profesional (p= 0,0019, tamaño del efecto= 0,370) y un descenso significativo en el Grupo Aficionado (p= 0,0128, tamaño del efecto = 0,305); las potencias máximas en press banca no sufrieron modificaciones significativas en ambos grupo (Grupo Profesional p= 0,15, tamaño del efecto= 0,166; Grupo Aficionado p= 0,17, tamaño del efecto= 0,199). Conclusión: el efecto agudo positivo del Complex Training fue atribuido a la Potenciación Posactivación de la musculatura involucrada en el lanzamiento. El descenso significativo en el lanzamiento de la granada observado en el Grupo Aficionado fue atribuido a la imposibilidad de sintetizar ATP posesfuerzo, lo que indujo una fatiga muscular(AU)

Purpose: Determining the acute effect of a Complex Training in bench press over grenade throwing in professional and amateur military pentathletes. Methods: Nineteen military pentathletes divided into two groups were part of the study (Professional Group = 10 and Amateur Group = 9). Variables measured were: Distance maximum in grenade throwing and peak power in bench press. Complex Training protocol consisted of: 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 30 percent of one repetition maximum + 4 repetitions at 60 percent of one repetition maximum + 3 grenade throws with a 15-second rest. For the statistical analysis, repeated measures ANOVA was used, the effect size was estimated with Eta Partial Squared. Results: Distance maximum of grenade throwing showed a significant increase between the Control Set and the four experimental sets for the Professional Group (p = 0.0019, effect size = 0.370) and a significant decrease in the Amateur Group (p = 0.0128, effect size = 0.305); peak power in bench press did not suffer significant modifications in both groups (Professional Groupp = 0.15, effect size = 0.166; Amateur Group p = 0.17, effect size = 0.199). Conclusions: The results of the study showed a positive acute effect from Complex Training on the distance of grenade throwing only for professional military pentathletes, such effect was attributed to a Post-Activation Potentiation of the muscles involved in throwing. The significant decline in grenade throwing observed in the amateur military pentathletes was attributed to the impossibility of synthetizing ATP post-workout(AU)