Effects of Complex Training on Jump Performance in Volleyball Athletes

10 Apr 20264 min read0 viewsJournal Feed

GIST

This randomized controlled study evaluated an eight-week complex training program combining barbell back squats (BBS) with drop jumps (DJ) versus an intensity-matched BBS control in twenty male volleyball athletes. The intervention group (IG) performed BBS followed by DJ twice weekly, with loading adjusted to individual 1RM, while the control group (CG) completed BBS alone at matched intensity.

Primary outcomes were jump performance, measured as countermovement jump (CMJ) and approach jump (AJ) heights, and propulsion impulse (in BW·s). Secondary outcomes included concentric-phase activation assessed by integrated EMG (iEMG) and RMS amplitude.

Compared with CG, IG showed greater improvements in CMJ and AJ heights (CMJ change: IG ≈ 6.13 cm vs CG ≈ 2.65 cm; AJ change: IG ≈ 7.28 cm vs CG ≈ 2.78 cm; both p < 0.05). iEMG and RMS data indicated task-specific activation: during BBS, quadriceps and tibialis anterior exhibited higher concentric activation, whereas during DJ, the gastrocnemius heads showed greater activation, suggesting complementary neuromuscular recruitment across modalities.

Clinical Editorial

Study design and population

A randomized controlled trial enrolled twenty male volleyball athletes, assigned to an intervention group (IG, n=10) or a control group (CG, n=10).
The intervention spanned 8 weeks with twice-weekly sessions.

Intervention and comparator

IG training combined barbell back squats (BBS) followed by drop jumps (DJ), with loads adjusted according to individual 1RM values.
CG performed an intensity-matched BBS protocol without the DJ component.

Primary outcomes and measurements

Jump performance metrics included countermovement jump (CMJ) height and approach jump (AJ) height.
Propulsion impulse was reported in BW·s.
Secondary outcomes encompassed neuromuscular activation: concentric-phase integrated electromyography (iEMG) and root mean square (RMS) amplitude.

Key findings on performance

Relative to CG, the IG demonstrated greater improvements in CMJ height (change ≈ 6.13 cm vs ≈ 2.65 cm) and AJ height (change ≈ 7.28 cm vs ≈ 2.78 cm), with both differences achieving statistical significance (p < 0.05).
Changes in propulsion impulse favored the IG, consistent with enhanced explosive performance during the study period.

Neuromuscular activation and task-specific patterns

Under BBS conditions, quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles showed higher iEMG and RMS values in the IG.
Under DJ conditions, activation shifted toward the gastrocnemius musculature (lateral and medial heads) in the IG, indicating complementary engagement of lower-limb muscle groups across tasks.

Context and implications

The 8-week BBS–DJ complex protocol appeared more effective than resistance training alone for improving jump metrics and propulsion impulse in volleyball athletes.
The findings suggest a task-specific optimization of concentric activation patterns across major lower-limb muscles with complex training.

Limitations and reporting notes

The source provides specific outcomes and group comparisons but does not report numerical confidence intervals beyond p-values, nor some methodological granularities (e.g., exact session-by-session progression details).