volleyball case study (1)

BSc(Hons) Sport and exercise Science Matthew Moore
Module Code: 66-6916-00L Applied Physiology of Sport Performance
Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics of a Male Collegiate
Volleyball Player
Introduction
Volleyball is defined as a game of high intensity intermixed with rest periods usually
occurring after a point is won or at the end of a set (Maclaren et al. 1990). It has been
described by Smith, Roberts and Watson (1992) as having a large anaerobic component.
Physiological characteristics and demands differ according to the position played; setters are
more endomorphic endomorphs, centres tend to be ectomorphic mesomorphs and hitters
and opposites are deemed to be balanced ectomorphs (Duncan, Woodfield and al-Nakeeb,
2006). Because of the high intensity nature of the sport, it would suggest that a player would
require well developed glycolytic and creatine phosphate energy systems along with
advanced oxidative efficiency (Setaro et al. 2013). The vertical jump is the most important
attribute to a volleyball player and it requires efficient performance during a game as it is
frequently used in offensive and defensive movements (Thissen-Milder and Mayhew, 1990).
Recent literature now indicates that speed and muscular power is seen to be crucial to be
able to perform multidirectional movements on the court, especially when performing vertical
jumps; seen to be the most important aspect of a game by sports scientists and coaches
(Sheppard et al. 2009). Furthermore Gonzalez-Rave, Arija and Clemente-Saurez (2011)
state that players must undertake conditioning specific to their volleyball performance
alongside additional agility, sprint and resistance training to be able to compete with their
counterparts.
Several types of tests were undertaken by the athlete. Anthropometric measures height,
body mass and body composition were all recorded as they are useful indicators of an
athlete's diet and physical growth which aid maximum performance (Chatterjee, Chatterjee
and Bandyopadhyay, 2006). The drop jump, a useful exercise to aid performance in
volleyball (Bobbert, 1990) was used alongside a vertical jump test as they provide
information on the athletes' current lower body leg power (Nedeljkovic, 2003). Furthermore a
5m and 10m protocol was undertaken as this testing protocol indicates an athlete's
acceleration and maximum speed, crucial in match environments (Voelzke et al. 2012). The
final testing protocol undertaken was the Yo-Yo intermittent IR2 test used to determine a

person's ability to recover from a repeated exercise bout largely involving the anaerobic
energy system (Bangsbo, Iaia and Krustrup, 2008). The Yo-Yo IR2 is more relevant than the
IR1 as it reflects physiological specifics identical to those of volleyball (Bangsbo, Iaia and
Krustrup, 2008). The aim of this sport-specific case study therefore was to compare and
discuss the results of the physiological and anthropometric tests against elite player values,
and discuss what implications these results may have on the athlete's training and
performance.
Methodology
Participants. One well-trained male collegiate volleyball player currently playing at
collegiate level participated in the study. The participant usually undertakes 5 volleyball
training sessions and 3 strength and conditioning sessions per week each lasting 2 hours.
Two volleyball competitive matches are also played throughout the week consisting of 90
minutes.
Table 1: Show's the participant's anthropometric values and playing/training statistics.
Participant Characteristics
Body Mass (kg) 76.2
Height (cm) 178
Age (years) 20
Training (years) 8
Current Playing
Level
Sheffield Hallam
University Premier
Division

Testing Protocol. Regular anthropometric measures (height, body mass and sum of seven
skinfolds), lower leg power (vertical and drop jumps), maximal aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo
intermittent recovery test) and speed (5-m and 10-m sprints) were the battery of tests
undertaken. Anthropometric tests were undertaken in session 1 along with lower leg power,
with a 5 minute rest between the jump tests. For anthropometric measures the participant
was advised to take their shoes off whilst being measured for height and body mass.
Skinfolds were taken twice, with a 1 minute window between each measure of the same site.
In session 2 5-m and 10-m sprints were recorded along with the Yo-Yo intermittent IR2 test.
After the first sprint was undertaken a rest of 1 minute was allowed until the final sprint. The
Yo-Yo IR2 protocol was undertaken 5 minutes after the final sprint and concluded the testing
protocols.
Anthropometry. Anthropometric measures of the participant were undertaken. Height (cm)
was recorded using a Wall mounted stadiometer (Holtain LTD, UK), body mass (kg) using
beam balance scales (Avery, UK) and sum of seven skin folds using Harpenden skinfold
callipers (British Indicators LTD, England). Biceps, triceps, subscapular, supraspinale,
abdomen, frontal thigh and medial calf on the right side of the body were selected to be the
seven sites. Each skinfold was taken in accordance to Tanner and Gore (2013).
Warm-up protocol. For both testing sessions, a standardised warm-up was undertaken by
the participant. The first 5 minutes consisted of walking, light jogging and static stretches (10
second hold). The second part comprised of dynamic movements and stretching including
squats, hops, inch-worms, lunges, skips and leg swings.
Lower-leg power. The vertical jump (VJ) was the first jump undertaken. For the VJ, the
participant assumed a standing position with hands fixed on their hips. The participant
subsequently flexed their knees to a freely chosen position and thrusted upwards (Rey et al.
2012). In total, 4 jumps were performed and each calculated using the Opto Measurement
System (Opto Jump Next, Microgate Srl, Italy) that transferred results to a connected laptop.
From the four trials the highest jump value was obtained and rounded to the nearest
centimetre. During the drop jump (DJ) protocol, the participant was instructed to place hands

on their waist and drop off the platform with their leading leg parallel. Dropping as fast and
high as they could was advised and keeping the ankles and knees fully extended when
taking off was required (Chen et al. 2013). The same protocol was followed on from the VJ.
Yo-Yo IR2 test. (Anaerobic Demand). The Yo-Yo IR2 test was set up using two 20-m
runs at a progressive incremental speed which was controlled by auditory beeps from a
specialised CD within a speaker. Between each running stint the participant was allowed a
10s rest before commencement of the next bout. If the participant failed to make the
finishing line distance on two occasions, the distance covered was noted and indicated the
result of the test. The test was conducted in an indoor sports hall where a 20-m long, 2-m
wide track was set up using cones as the marking pathway (Krustrup et al. 2006).
Speed. The speed of the participant was measured using two different distances; a 5-m and
10-m distance sprint performed twice with the fastest value of each used to represent the
test results. Electronic timing gates (Brower Timing Systems, USA) were used to record the
time of each sprint. The timing gates were placed 5-m and 10-m away from a set starting
line clearly marked. From a standing start the participant was instructed by an investigator to
run as fast as possible through the 10-m line. All sprint data was recorded to the nearest
0.01 s with the best value from the trials represented as the test result (Gabbett and
Georgieff, 2007)
Results
The anthropometric characteristics of the participant are presented in table 2. These values
represent the best/highest values from all testing conditions. Table 3 & 4 represent the test
results for lower body power as well as maximum speed and anaerobic capacity.
Table 2: Anthropometrical characteristics of the participant.
Characteristics Values
Anthropometric characteristics
Body mass (kg)
Height (m)
76.2
1.78

Sum of skinfolds (mm) 52.3
The participant data is presented from all anthropometric tests conducted, showing the best
values achieved (table 2).
Table 3: Maximum speed and Intermittent Recovery values of the participant.
Type of test Values
5-m sprint (s)
10-m sprint (s)
Yo-Yo IR2 (m)
0.91
1.72
1000
The best results of each test were recorded and represented as the participants' final results
(table 3).
Table 4: Participant's lower body power.
Vertical Jump Drop Jump
Height (cm) Flight Time (s) Contact Time (s) Flight Time (s) Height (cm)
76.9 0.792 0.166 0.628 48.3
A 28.6cm difference occurred between the height of the vertical jump and the height of the
drop jump, the vertical jump being the highest showing 76.9cm compared to that of the drop
jump showing 48.3cm. Flight time is also different between the two conditions; 0.792s during
the vertical compared to 0.628s during the drop jump, a 0.164s difference.
Discussion
The mean height for the senior elite Greek national team was recorded at 1.95m (Kasabalis,
Douda and Sawas, 2005). Additionally the mean height for several other elite national teams
was 2.1m (Sheppard et al. 2008) compared to the participant's height of 1.76m. As volleyball

is a game played predominantly over head height, it would be assumed that the taller the
player is the more advantage they would have. Compared to elite junior and senior
Australian players' mean sum of skinfolds (57mm) (Tanner and Gore, 2013), the participants'
sum of skinfolds (52.3mm) was significantly lower. The support and education elite athletes
receive is thought to be much more than that of the participant regarding nutritional
strategies (Grandjean, 1997), therefore results may suggest that the participants' nutritional
strategies are more beneficial than their Australian counterparts despite the gap in support.
Body mass of the participant (76.2kg) compared with other studies was lower; 90.8kg
(Sheppard et al. 2011), 94.3kg (Chen et al. 2013). This could be of significant advantage as
an increased body mass has shown to have a detrimental effect on jump height
(Bandyopadhyay, 2007). When compared against elite athletes of the same age however,
body mass is similar (76.9kg) (Aouadi et al. 2012).
A study by Voelzke et al. (2012) conducted sprint tests on German National team
volleyballers; 5m (1.074s) and 10m (1.852s) were not as good as participant values; 5m
(0.91s) and 10m (1.72s). The subject's extensive gym programme could be explained as a
reason for the gulf in results. The participants vertical jump height (79.6cm) was significantly
higher than the Argentinian elite national squad (65.3cm) (Sheppard, Gabbett and
Stanganelli, 2009). Furthermore a study by Voelzke et al. (2012) highlighted the mean drop
jump height of the German national squad (28.9cm), which compared with the participant
(48.3cm) is significantly lower. The procedure for this study however included a drop of
40cm unlike the 25cm drop from this study hence why the results may differ. (Veliz et al.
2013). Another possible explanation for the large gap in lower leg power results could be the
practitioners' inexperience; many of the tests and equipment were conducted and used for
the first time, indicating a possible error in technique and/or application. Aouadi et al. (2012)
demonstrated that a greater lower limb length produced greater performance in the vertical
and drop jump. It has been well documented that the participant falls short of the normative
height values for an elite volleyball player, however contrary to these results, the participant
has shown to exceed many national team players when concerning jump height. Evidently a
considerable amount of time is dedicated to the gym to allow physiological (Wernborn,
Augustsson & Thomee, 2007) and neural (Carroll et al. 2011) adaptations to training thus
allowing improved jumping performance.
The relevancy of the Yo-Yo IR2 is questionable as it appears to be dissimilar to competition
demands (Sheppard et al. 2007) and thus could be a procedural limitation of the study.
Results of the study suggest that the participant requires a tailored strength and conditioning
programme to help maximise training adaptations, allowing for greater performance. As the

participant already has an individualised programme, it would be beneficial for their coach to
closely monitor progress to allow for the greatest possible results. It is recommended that
power and plyometrics should be primarily focused on, especially to improve vertical jump
height (Mihalik et al. 2008). It has also been established that lower extremity strength
training in volleyballer's can also improve times in the 5 & 10-m sprint (Voelzke et al. 2012).
Additional load of the eccentric phase of the VJ has shown to improve jump height
(Sheppard et al. 2008), highlighting another possible training procedure as this is crucial to
performance.
Conclusion
Although the subject is small for a volleyball player, testing has showed unexpected results
when compared to elite performers. While genetics may play a part, a substantial reason as
to why the subject attained these results is due to their own training programme. A focus on
lower-extremity strength training as well as power and plyometric's would make way for a
greater jump height to make up for the lack of height of the participant.
Peer-review
Feedback I received helped me to alter certain parts of my report that at first, I did not think
needed altering. The comments were mostly positive and guided me to make the relevant
changes needed to things such as structure and presentation. I feel that my case-study has
a better chance of attaining a higher grade after the review because of the different
recommendations made and subsequent alterations.
Feedback given to my peers was descriptive and I made it clear what 'could' be improved. I
gave as much detail as possible so they had the best chance of retrieving a higher grade
through structural and punctual changes. Positive comments were left in the notes to
highlight good parts of the work.
Word Count: 2190

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