VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE OF PROFESSIONAL
MALE AND FEMALE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS: EFFECTS
OF PLAYING POSITION AND COMPETITION LEVEL
TINE SATTLER,1 VEDRAN HADŽIĆ,2 EDVIN DERVIŠEVIĆ,2
Departments of 1Volleyball; 2Sports Medicine, Faculty of Sport, University in Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; and 3Motor
Control and Human Performance Laboratory Zagreb, School of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
ABSTRACT
Downloaded from https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr by BhDMf5ePHKav1zEoum1tQfN4a+kJLhEZgbsIHo4XMi0hCywCX1AWnYQp/IlQrHD3svV2EAJi191fk9gjQ4Tks8abDMU50+yGIUsaskYQ7A0fzjOzVS4bFg== on 07/13/2020
Sattler, T, Hadžić, V, Dervišević, E, and Markovic, G. Vertical
jump performance of professional male and female volleyball
players: effects of playing position and competition level.
J Strength Cond Res 29(6): 1486–1493, 2015—Vertical jump
(VJ) performance is an important element for successful volley-
ball practice. The aims of the study were (a) to explore the overall
VJ performance of elite volleyball players of both sexes, (b) to
explore the differences in VJ performance among different com-
petition levels and different playing positions, and (c) to evaluate
the sex-related differences in the role of the arm swing and 3-
step approach with arm swing on the jump height. We assessed
the VJ capacity in 253 volleyball players (113 males and 140
females) from Slovenian first and second Volleyball Division. The
height of squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump, block jump,
and attack jump was tested using an Optojump system. We
observed significant differences (p # 0.05) in VJ height between
different levels of play that were most pronounced in the SJ.
Position-related differences in VJ performance were observed
in male players between receivers and setters (p # 0.05),
whereas in females, VJ performance across different playing
positions seems equal. Finally, we found that male players sig-
nificantly better use the arm swing during VJ than females (p #
0.05), whereas the use of eccentric part of the jump and
approach before the spike to improve VJ performance seem to
be equally mastered activity in both sexes. These results could
assist coaches in the development of jumping performance in
volleyball players. Furthermore, presented normative data for
jump heights of elite male and female volleyball players could
be useful in selection and profiling of young volleyball players.
KEY WORDS muscle power, movement performance, sport-
specific jump, functional testing
Address correspondence to Goran Markovic, gmarkov@kif.hr.
29(6)/1486–1493
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Ó 2015 National Strength and Conditioning Association
the TM
1486 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
AND GORAN MARKOVIC3
INTRODUCTION
V
olleyball, one of the most popular team sports in
the world, is characterized by short and explo-
sive movement patterns, agile and quick posi-
tioning, jumps, and blocks. Apart from technical
and tactical knowledge, appropriate morphological fea-
tures (e.g., lean body mass with advanced body height)
(13), and speed/agility (8), the jumping abilities are one
of the key elements in successful volleyball practice of
both sexes (2,6,25). The vertical jumps (VJs) in volleyball
are related to serving, spiking, or blocking. The height of
VJ during a block jump (BJ) represents the potential for
a reduction in effectiveness of the attacking opponent.
Vertical jump height during serving or spiking (e.g., attack
jump, AJ) enables the player to achieve the contact with
the ball above the net, allowing better spiking or serving
angles. Apart from sports success, VJ height is also corre-
lated with the increased susceptibility to patellar tendin-
opathy (12), which is the most common overuse injury
in volleyball players. These findings highlight the
importance of testing and developing jumping abilities in
volleyball.
Ziv and Lidor (27) have reviewed VJ performance in
male and female volleyball players. They have analyzed
32 studies and have reported differences between players
of different skill levels, changes in VJ performance over
a season, factors affecting VJ performance, different jump-
ing techniques, and relationship between success and VJ
performance. The common denominators of the studies
presented in their review were relatively low number of
participants (range, 6–88 in females, and range, 5–74 in
males), low participation of high ranking volleyball players
according to the FIVB world ranking list (e.g., teams from
countries within the first 30/138 for males), as well as the
fact that mostly reported were the values of countermove-
ment jump (CMJ) or squat jump (SJ), whereas reports of
more volleyball-specific jumps such as BJ and AJ were
much less common.
The main aim of this study was to explore the overall VJ
capacity of a large sample of male and female elite
volleyball players investigating both general (CMJ and SJ)
 the TM

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research | www.nsca.com

and sport-specific type of jumps (BJ and AJ). We were
particularly interested to study the differences in VJ
performance among different levels of play and playing
positions, as this issue was not addressed in previous studies
(27). Finally, we explored the absolute and percentage dif-
ferences in jump height among selected VJ types to esti-
mate the effect of prestretch, the arm swing, and 3-step
approach with arm swing, and to compare those differen-
ces between sexes. Based on the results of previous research
(11,24,26), we hypothesized that (a) the level of play and
playing position have a significant effect of on general and
sport-specific VJ performance in both sexes and (b) male
players significantly better use the arm swing during
VJ than females, whereas the opposite is the case for
utilization of the eccentric part of the jump (i.e.,
countermovement).
We believe that our study will give important information
on jumping capacity in volleyball players of both sexes that
will be of interest for coaches and physical conditioning
specialists as reference values for VJ height for training and
selection purposes.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
This was a cross-sectional study performed on a large
sample of male and female professional volleyball players at
the end of the competitive season. To evaluate the overall
jumping performance of the tested volleyball players, we
selected 4 types of VJs as dependent variables, whereas sex,
competition level, and playing position were regarded as
independent variables. The selected types of VJ (i.e., SJ,
CMJ, BJ, or CMJ with the arm swing, and AJ or BJ with
a 3-step approach) proved to be valid and reliable (22) and
reflect both the general and specific aspect of VJ ability in
volleyball.
Subjects
After the end of competitive season, we have evaluated VJ
ability in 253 volleyball players (113 males and 140 females)
aged 18–38 years from Slovenian first and second Volleyball
Division. Players’ characteristics are presented in Table 1.
According to the FIVB world ranking list, Slovenia has the
following ranking: 36/123 for males and 43/111 for females.
All tested players used heavy resistance, ballistic resistance,
and plyometric training as part of their overall strength and
conditioning program during the last 2 seasons. Before the
testing, all participants signed a consent form for participa-
tion in research and were informed about the purpose and
risks of the research. The study was approved by the Board
of Ethics of the Faculty of Sport.
Testing Procedure
Testing was performed at the Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana
between 10 AM and 16 PM over the period of 4 weeks. Lab-
oratory was air conditioned, and room temperature held
between 22 and 248 C. Players from the same club were
tested on the same day. A day before testing, no practice
was allowed. Body height and body mass were assessed
using a Seca stadiometer and weighting scales (Seca Instru-
ments Ltd., Hamburg, Germany). Before testing, all subjects
performed a 6-minute warm-up on a room bicycle at mod-
erate pace (75–100 W), followed by dynamic stretching of
lower extremity muscles. The players were familiar with all
VJs as they were routinely used during the competitive sea-
son for performance monitoring in the clubs. Nutrition and
hydration status of players was not monitored during the
study.

Vertical Jump Testing. The

height of the following 4 dif-
ferent types of VJs was tested
TABLE 1. Main characteristics of the male and female volleyball players. using an Optojump system
Male (N = 113) Female (N = 140) (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy): SJ,
CMJ, BJ, and AJ. Each partic-
Competition level (frequency in %) ipant performed 3 repetitions
1st division 48 54
for each type of VJ, and the
2nd division 52 46
Playing position (frequency in %) best result in centimeters was
Correction 18 19 recorded as the main outcome
Blocker 23 31 measure. The order of different
Libero 11 12 types of VJ was assigned ran-
Setter 21 15
Receiver 27 22
domly for each participant.
Age (SD) (y) 23.5 (5.5) 22.3 (3.9) The Optojump is a dual-beam
Body height (SD) (cm) 186.9 (7.0) 175.1 (6.3) optical device that measures
Body weight (SD) (kg) 85.2 (10.0) 65.8 (8.3) contact and flight times during
Body fat (SD) (%) 10.7 (2.8) 21.6 (3.4) a series of jumps (or single
Training (SD) (h$d21) 1.41 (0.6) 1.2 (0.4)
Years of volleyball practice (SD) 6.3 (3.6) 4.3 (2.4) jump). Flight time (tair) was
used to calculate height of the
rise of the body’s center of
gravity ðheight ¼ ½g3tair2
=8Þ.

VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 6 | JUNE 2015 | 1487

Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
 Vertical Jumping in Volleyball

The validity and reproducibility of VJ testing using Opto- arms from an initial position in front of the chest (Figure 1,
jump device proved to be excellent (9,22). Also, our recent panels C1 and C2) as they perform during the volleyball
study showed excellent reliability (intraclass correlation co- game/practice. For AJ, subjects had a 3-step approach
efficients $0.97; coefficients of variation #2.8%) of all 4 VJs (Figure 1, panels D1–D4), and they were allowed to use an
in professional volleyball players (22). arm swing as they perform for the spiking activities during
For SJ, subjects started a jump after a 3-second pause from the game/practice.
a stationary semisquatted position (908 knee flexion) without
Statistical Analyses
using a preliminary countermovement (i.e., no prestretching
The main outcome measure was the height of the 4 types of
of muscles; Figure 1A). In case that countermovement was
VJ expressed in centimeters. Mean values with SD were pre-
visually observed, the test results were not recorded. For sented according to the level of play (first and second divi-
CMJ, the subjects started from an upright standing position sion) for each sex separately. Multivariate analysis of
(Figure 1B), making a preliminary downward movement by variance (2 3 5 MANOVA) with Bonferroni adjustment
flexing at the knees and hips, then immediately extending for multiple comparisons was used to evaluate the differen-
knees and hips again to jump vertically up off the ground. In ces in jump height among different competition levels (first
BJ, subjects have performed CMJ but were allowed to use and second division) and playing positions (libero, correc-
tion, setter, receiver, and
blocker), separately for each
sex. Absolute and percentage
differences in jump height
were also calculated for the fol-
lowing 4 conditions: CMJ vs.
SJ, BJ vs. CMJ, AJ vs. CMJ,
and AJ vs. BJ. Our aim was
to estimate the role of pre-
stretch, arm swing, and 3-step
approach with arm swing on
the jump height and to com-
pare those differences among
sexes using 4 3 2 MANOVA
(4 conditions 3 sex) with
Bonferroni adjustment for mul-
tiple comparisons. A signifi-
cance level of 0.05 was used
for each test.

RESULTS
Table 2 and Figure 2 depict
mean (SD) jump heights for
male and female volleyball play-
ers according to the level of
play with comparison to previ-
ous studies. The MANOVAs
revealed a significant multivari-
ate main effect for competition
level in males (F = 2.23; p ,
0.001; partial eta-squared =
0.09; power to detect the
effect = 0.92) and females (F =
3.4; p , 0.01; partial eta-
squared = 0.05; power to detect
the effect = 0.90). The subse-
Figure 1. Vertical jump testing using an Optojump device. A) Starting position for squat jump. B) Starting position
for countermovement jump. C) Starting position for block jump with countermovement phase. D) Three-step quent univariate analysis of var-
approach with arm swing and attack (spike) jump. iances have revealed that
players from first Division had
the TM

1488 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
 TABLE 2. Mean vertical jump heights (SD) in centimeters according to the sex and competition level with comparison to previous studies.*

Testing
Author Proficiency N Sex Age Subgroups SJ (SD) CMJ (SD) BJ (SD) AJ (SD) device

Current study Slovenian National 113 M 22 First division 40.8† (5.6) 45.3 (4.9) 49.1 (5.6) 64.4 (6.9) OJ
League Second division 37.2 (4.1) 42.5 (5.2) 46.9 (6.0) 60.7 (7.4)
140 F 19 First division 28.5† (4.8) 31.7 (5.2) 33.4 (5.6) 42.9 (6.6)
Second division 25.8† (4.0) 29.9 (4.2) 32.1 (4.7) 40.6 (5.6)
Maffiuletti Italian Regional 10 M 22 Control 42.4 (6.0) 48.1 (6.0) 54.4 (4.8) OJ
et al. (14) League 10 M 22 Experimentalz 47 53 63
Lian et al. (12) Norwegian Regional 23 M 22 Healthy controls 36.0 (4.0) 40.3 (4.1) ECMS
League
Forthomme Belgium National 11 M 26 First division 56.5 (4.6) ECMS
et al. (6) League 8 M 21 Second division 51.2 (2.3)
Saez de Villarreal Spanish National 12 M 23 First divisionz 42–47 ECMS
et al. (21) League
Borras et al. (3) Spanish National 23 M 25 2006 team 46.5 (3.5) ECMS
Team 25 M 27 2007 team 43.9 (5.0) 47.3 (5.7) 56.8 (6.4) 66.3 (5.9)

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

the
23 M 26 2008 team 47.9 (4.0) 49.7 (4.6) 59.8 (5.1) 71.2 (5.8)
Marques Portuguese National 10 F 25 First division 35.56 (6.28)
et al. (17) League
Marqueste NA 15 F 21 Experimental 23.5 (2.4) 28.9 (2.2) OJ
et al. (19) group 1
Experimental 30.3 (3.9) 34.6 (4.2)
group 2
VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 6 | JUNE 2015 |

*N = number of participants; SJ = squat jump; CMJ = countermovement jump; BJ = block jump (CMJ with arm swing); AJ = attack jump (alias spike jump, approach jump);
OJ = Optojump; ECMS = electronic contact mat system; NA = not available.
†Significant differences in jump height according to the level of play.
zData presented in graph only in original article.

TM
| www.nsca.com
1489

Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
 Vertical Jumping in Volleyball

Figure 2. Mean jump height in all 4 vertical jump tests in male (A) and female (B) volleyball players. Error bars denote SD.

higher jump heights than players from second Division for all 4 The MANOVAs also revealed significant differences in VJ
VJ types in both sexes. However, these differences were signif- performance according to the playing position in males (F =
icant only for SJ in males (F = 8.20; p = 0.005), and for SJ (F = 2.18; p = 0.005) but not in females. Significant position-
10.76; p = 0.001) and CMJ (F = 4.40; p = 0.038) in females. related differences observed in males were related to

TABLE 3. The absolute and percentage differences in jump height between different jump types.*

Jump Mean Mean

Sex Jump height improvements height (cm) difference (cm) difference (%)

Male Countermovement (SJ vs. CMJ) 39.1 vs. 44.0 4.9 12.5
Arm swing (CMJ vs. BJ)† 44.0 vs. 47.90 3.9 9.0
Approach (BJ vs. AJ) 47.9 vs. 62.50 14.6 30.5
Arm swing and approach (CMJ vs. AJ)† 44.0 vs. 62.50 18.5 42.2
Female Countermovement (SJ vs. CMJ) 27.24 vs. 30.86 23.6 13.3
Arm swing (CMJ vs. BJ) 30.86 vs. 32.80 21.9 6.3
Approach (BJ vs. AJ) 32.80 vs. 41.80 29.0 27.4
Arm swing and approach (CMJ vs. AJ) 30.86 vs. 41.80 210.9 35.5

*SJ = squat jump; CMJ = countermovement jump; BJ = block jump (CMJ with arm swing from blocking motion); AJ = attack jump
(CMJ with 3-step approach and full arm swing as used for spiking).
†Significant sex-related difference in mean percentage difference (both p , 0.001).

the TM

1490 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
 the TM

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research | www.nsca.com

TABLE 4. Sex-specific normative centile values of vertical jump performance measured by Optojump.

Percentiles

Sex Vertical jump 5 10 25 50 75 90 95

Males Squat jump (cm) 31.60 32.68 35.58 38.90 42.40 45.90 48.79
Countermovement jump (cm) 36.40 37.20 41.40 43.70 48.10 50.40 53.30
Block jump (cm) 39.04 40.70 44.78 48.30 53.60 55.70 56.67
Attack jump (cm) 52.77 55.56 59.70 62.90 66.43 73.81 76.50
Females Squat jump (cm) 18.38 20.03 23.65 27.25 30.92 33.97 36.84
Countermovement jump (cm) 21.91 24.01 27.72 30.95 34.80 38.20 41.49
Block jump (cm) 23.20 26.50 29.40 33.10 38.00 39.70 41.24
Attack jump (cm) 29.32 32.05 38.90 41.95 45.90 49.36 53.69

differences in CMJ heights between receivers and setters
(p # 0.05). The mean difference in CMJ between receivers
and setters in favor of receivers was 4.38 cm (p = 0.028).
Significant multivariate sex-related differences (F = 8.59,
p , 0.001) were observed in percentage differences in VJ
height between different jump types (Table 3). On univariate
level, the differences were significant for CMJ vs. BJ (F =
20.6; p , 0.001) and CMJ vs. AJ (F = 25.7; p , 0.001),
whereas there were no significant sex-related differences in
CMJ vs. SJ and AJ vs. BJ. These results indicate that both
sexes use an eccentric part of the jump equally good to
improve the jump height; however, males seem to have
a better capacity to use the arm swing to further increase
VJ height.
Finally, Table 4 reports sex-specific normative centile val-
ues for performance in all 4 VJ tests.
DISCUSSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that
comprehensively evaluated VJ performance of male and
female professional volleyball players with respect to the
competition level and playing position for 4 different VJ
types. The main results of our study are as follows: (a) there
exist significant differences in VJ height between different
competition levels, and those differences are particularly
accentuated in SJ, (b) significant position-related differences
exist only in male players between receivers and setters,
whereas in females, the jumping capacity across different
playing positions seems equal, (c) the better use of arm swing
in males seems to be their main advantage over females,
whereas the use of eccentric part of the jump (i.e.,
countermovement) and approach before the spike to
improve VJ performance seems to be equally mastered
ability in both sexes.
To compare our results with previously reported data
(Table 2), we have analyzed only those studies
(3,6,12,14,17,19,21) where the same methodology (27),
namely the flight time, was used to calculate the jump height
(e.g., using contact mat or OptoJump device). Note that our
results compare well with previously reported data for both
sexes. Specifically, CMJ height in previous research ranged
from 40.3 to 49.7 cm and from 28.9 to 34.6 cm for male and
female volleyball players, respectively. In this study, these
values ranged from 42.5 to 45.3 cm in male players, and from
29.9 to 31.7 cm in female players, respectively. Table 2 also
depicts that only Borras et al. (3) reported jumping perfor-
mance of male volleyball players for all jump types, whereas
in female volleyball players, only data for SJ and CMJ were
reported so far.
As hypothesized, players from the first Division demon-
strated better VJ performance than the second Division
players, regardless of VJ type or sex. These rather robust
findings are in concordance with findings of other authors.
In particular, Barnes (1) also reported that female NCAA
Division I athletes had significantly greater CMJ heights than
Division III, and the effect size comparisons showed large-
magnitude differences between Division I and both Divisions
II and III for jump height. Furthermore, Fry et al. (7) re-
ported significant differences in physical characteristics
between female starters and nonstarters even within the
same level of play (NCAA Division I). Interestingly, in this
study, the most pronounced and statistically significant dif-
ferences in VJ performance according to the level of play
were found in SJ (Table 2). The SJ is an unnatural
concentric-only ballistic movement that requires an exten-
sive practice before it can be performed correctly (10). We
believe that this may explain the sensitivity of SJ to discrim-
inate among players playing at different quality levels. These
results, together with previous research, highlight VJ ability
as a very important motor quality in professional volleyball.
In that regard, training modalities that enhance jumping per-
formance like heavy-resistance strength training (5), ballistic
power training (20), and plyometric training (15,16) could be
recommended for volleyball players.
Regarding the position-related differences, the results only
partly support our hypothesis. Specifically, we found

VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 6 | JUNE 2015 | 1491

Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
 Vertical Jumping in Volleyball
significant position-related differences only in male volley-
ball players, with setters having significantly lower CMJ
height than receivers. These differences could have impor-
tant implications for effective defensive activities during
a game. The contribution of setters in the defensive
blocking activities is more or less same in comparison with
receivers and corrections. Depending on the court situa-
tion, setters are active in supportive jumps to block the first
tempo, but they also participate in regular block while
moving laterally to block the attack on their side, or they
are running across to form a triple block when the
opponent attack is on the side opposite to their position
on the court. During a game, setters are rarely jumping to
attack, and even then they try to simulate the setting
(rather than spiking) activity, to avoid blocking by oppo-
nent central blockers. In those cases, setters usually just
suddenly pass the ball over the net into the undefended part
of the opponent’s field. Marques et al. (18) found significant
anthropometric and strength differences among playing
positions in elite male volleyball players, with setters having
significantly poorer parallel squat performance than the
outside and opposite hitters. This finding compares well
with our results and suggests that additional strength and
plyometric training may warrant a better jump perfor-
mance (23) for setters to improve their efficacy in blocking
and attack activities during a game.
Our second hypothesis was also only partly supported.
Specifically, we found no sex-related differences in the use
of countermovement to facilitate VJ height, and on average
(regardless of the sex), the countermovement accounted for
approximately 13.6% increase in jump height in CMJ
compared with SJ. Similar results were reported in previous
volleyball studies (Table 2) where the average augmenta-
tion of jump height with countermovement amounted to
;12%. Earlier study (11) on this topic reported different
results (i.e., greater capacity to use countermovement in
females compared with males). However, the subjects in
this study were not professional athletes with high profi-
ciency in VJ. Thus, additional studies performed on male
and female athletes specialized in jumping-type activities
are needed to verify this finding. Contrary to prestretch,
the use of arm swing for VJ height augmentation proved
to be significantly better in male vs. female volleyball play-
ers, thereby supporting our hypothesis. Specifically, male
players increased their CMJ height by 9 and 42.2% in BJ
(arm swing) and AJ (combination of arm swing and
approach), whereas the corresponding increase in CMJ
height in female players was 6.3 and 35.5%, respectively.
These findings are also in line with the results of previous
studies (Table 2). Notably, we found no sex-related differ-
ences in jump height augmentation with 3-step approach
(BJ vs. AJ difference), which is unique characteristic of the
AJ. Thus, we may conclude that the major difference
between men and women jump heights lies in the arm
swing. This finding is supported by Walsh et al. who
the TM
1492 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
concluded that greater increase in jump height for the
men when using the arm swing could be because of greater
upper-body strength of men compared with women (26). It
is likely that the upper-body strength in female volleyball
players represents an important reserve for the improve-
ment of their jumping capacity and that additional strength
training with the emphasis on shoulder musculature would
warrant such an improvement. Indeed, biomechanical
models suggest that shoulder musculature is directly
responsible for approximately one-third of the performance
enhancement associated with arm swing (4).
In summary, this is the first study that comprehensively
evaluated VJ ability of male and female volleyball players,
with particular emphasis on competition level, playing
position, and sex. We observed significant differences in VJ
height between different levels of play that were most
pronounced in SJ. Furthermore, significant position-
related differences in VJ height were observed in male
players between receivers and setters, but not in female.
Finally, our results indicate that male players significantly
better use the arm swing during VJ than females, whereas
the use of eccentric part of the jump and approach before
the spike to improve VJ height seem to be equally
mastered ability in both sexes. These findings also
emphasize the importance of using both the general and
sport-specific VJs in the evaluation of jumping capacity in
volleyball.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Vertical jump performance represents an important fitness
component in many individual and game sports, including
volleyball. From practical point of view, our results suggest
that male and female professional volleyball players play-
ing at a higher level have a better VJ performance, thereby
emphasizing the importance of developing lower extrem-
ity strength and power qualities in volleyball players.
Although position-related differences in VJ performance
were less pronounced in this study, it seems that male
setters could benefit from additional strength and plyo-
metric training to improve this motor quality and partic-
ipate more efficiently in blocking and attack activities
during the game. When it comes to sport-specific aspects
of VJ, male and female volleyball players have the same
capacity to use countermovement and approach for VJ
height augmentation; however, the use of arm swing in VJ
height increase is less efficient in female volleyball players,
possibly due to less developed upper-body mass and
strength (26). Thus, additional upper-body strength in
female volleyball players could be of benefit for augment-
ing VJ performance through a more effective use of arm
swing. Finally, given that our study was performed on
a large sample of high-standard professional volleyball
players of both sexes, presented normative data for jump
heights (Table 4) could be used in selection and profiling of
young volleyball players.

REFERENCES
1. Barnes, JL, Schilling, BK, Falvo, MJ, Weiss, LW, Creasy, AK, and
Fry, AC. Relationship of jumping and agility performance in female
volleyball athletes. J Strength Cond Res 21: 1192–1196, 2007.
2. Bobbert, MF. Drop jumping as a training method for jumping
ability. Sports Med 9: 7–22, 1990.
3. Borras, X, Balius, X, Drobnic, F, and Galilea, P. Vertical jump
assessment on volleyball: A follow-up of three seasons of a high-
level volleyball team. J Strength Cond Res 25: 1686–1694, 2011.
4. Domire, ZJ and Challis, JH. An induced energy analysis to
determine the mechanism for performance enhancement as a result
of arm swing during jumping. Sports Biomech 9: 38–46, 2010.
5. Fatouros, IG, Jamurtas, AZ, Leontsini, D, Taxildaris, K,
Aggelousis, N, Kostopoulos, N, and Buckenmeyer, P. Evaluation of
plyometric exercise training, weight training, and their combination
on vertical jumping performance and leg strength. J Strength Cond
Res 14: 470–476, 2000.
6. Forthomme, B, Croisier, JL, Ciccarone, G, Crielaard, JM, and
Cloes, M. Factors correlated with volleyball spike velocity. Am J
Sports Med 33: 1513–1519, 2005.
7. Fry, AC, Kraemer, WJ, Weseman, CA, Conroy, BP, Gordon, SE,
Hoffman, JR, and Maresh, CM. The effects of an off-season strength
and conditioning program on starters and non-starters in women’s
intercollegiate volleyball. J Appl Sport Sci Res 5: 174–181, 1991.
8. Gabbett, T and Georgieff, B. Physiological and anthropometric
characteristics of Australian junior national, state, and novice
volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 21: 902–908, 2007.
9. Glatthorn, JF, Gouge, S, Nussbaumer, S, Stauffacher, S,
Impellizzeri, FM, and Maffiuletti, NA. Validity and reliability of
Optojump photoelectric cells for estimating vertical jump height.
J Strength Cond Res 25: 556–560, 2011.
10. Hasson, CJ, Dugan, EL, Doyle, TL, Humphries, B, and
Newton, RU. Neuromechanical strategies employed to increase
jump height during the initiation of the squat jump. J Electromyogr
Kinesiol 14: 515–521, 2004.
11. Komi, PV and Bosco, C. Utilization of stored elastic energy in leg
extensor muscles by men and women. Med Sci Sports 10: 261–265, 1978.
12. Lian, O, Refsnes, PE, Engebretsen, L, and Bahr, R. Performance
characteristics of volleyball players with patellar tendinopathy. Am J
Sports Med 31: 408–413, 2003.
13. Lidor, R and Ziv, G. Physical characteristics and physiological
attributes of adolescent volleyball players-a review. Pediatr Exerc Sci
22: 114–134, 2010.
14. Maffiuletti, NA, Dugnani, S, Folz, M, Di Pierno, E, and Mauro, F.
Effect of combined electrostimulation and plyometric training on
vertical jump height. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34: 1638–1644, 2002.
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
the TM
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research | www.nsca.com
15. Markovic, G. Does plyometric training improve vertical jump
height? A meta-analytical review. Br J Sports Med 41: 349–355, 2007.
16. Markovic, G and Mikulic, P. Neuro-musculoskeletal and
performance adaptations to lower-extremity plyometric training.
Sports Med 40: 859–895, 2010.
17. Marques, MC, Tillaar, R, Vescovi, JD, and Gonzalez-Badillo, JJ.
Changes in strength and power performance in elite senior female
professional volleyball players during the in-season: A case study.
J Strength Cond Res 22: 1147–1155, 2008.
18. Marques, MC, van den Tillaar, R, Gabbett, TJ, Reis, VM, and
Gonzalez-Badillo, JJ. Physical fitness qualities of professional
volleyball players: Determination of positional differences. J Strength
Cond Res 23: 1106–1111, 2009.
19. Marqueste, T, Messan, F, Hug, F, Laurin, Jm, Dousset, E, Grelot, L,
and Decherchi, P. Effect of Repetitive Biphasic muscle
electrostimulation training on vertical jump performances in female
volleyball players. Int J Sport Health Sci 8: 50–55, 2010.
20. Newton, RU, Rogers, RA, Volek, JS, Hakkinen, K, and Kraemer, WJ.
Four weeks of optimal load ballistic resistance training at the end of
season attenuates declining jump performance of women volleyball
players. J Strength Cond Res 20: 955–961, 2006.
21. Saez de Villarreal, ES, González-Badillo, JJ, and Izquierdo, M.
Optimal warm-up stimuli of muscle activation to enhance short and
long-term acute jumping performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 100: 393–
401, 2007.
22. Sattler, T, Sekulic, D, Hadzic, V, Uljevic, O, and Dervisevic, E.
Vertical jumping tests in volleyball: Reliability, validity and
playing-position specifics. J Strength Cond Res 26: 1532–1538,
2012.
23. Sheppard, JM, Chapman, DW, Gough, C, McGuigan, MR, and
Newton, RU. Twelve-month training-induced changes in elite
international volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 23: 2096–2101,
2009.
24. Sheppard, JM, Gabbett, TJ, and Stanganelli, LC. An analysis of
playing positions in elite men’s volleyball: Considerations for
competition demands and physiologic characteristics. J Strength
Cond Res 23: 1858–1866, 2009.
25. Stanganelli, LC, Dourado, AC, Oncken, P, Mancan, S, and da
Costa, SC. Adaptations on jump capacity in Brazilian volleyball
players prior to the under-19 World Championship. J Strength Cond
Res 22: 741–749, 2008.
26. Walsh, MS, Bohm, H, Butterfield, MM, and Santhosam, J. Gender
bias in the effects of arms and countermovement on jumping
performance. J Strength Cond Res 21: 362–366, 2007.
27. Ziv, G and Lidor, R. Vertical jump in female and male volleyball
players: A review of observational and experimental studies. Scand J
Med Sci Sports 20: 556–567, 2010.
VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 6 | JUNE 2015 | 1493