Relationship between spike speed and selected strength parameters in top-level female volleyball players

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the relationships between spike speed and selected strength parameters of female players in top-level volleyball. The research group consisted of 19 female volleyball players aged 17.77 ± 2.17 years; with a body height of 181.16 ± 3.59 cm and sport experience length of 7.52 ± 2.68. The spike speed was measured with the Bushnell radar gun providing immediate output data in speed measurements with an absolute measurement error of ± 0.27 m.s-1. The reliability of the spike speed measurement in individual trials was expressed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of measurement (SEM). For the measurement of the ball flight speed after the spike we found these values: ICC = 0.91 and SEM = 0.99 m.s-1. Strength parameters were evaluated by the test of throwing a 1 kg ball in the kneeling position with the spiking hand, the spike reach height and the sit-up test of 30 seconds. Statistical data were evaluated by Pearson's (r) and Spearman's (R) correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination (R2) and regression equation formulas. We demonstrated significant relationships between spike speed and 1 kg ball throw (p < 0.05; r = 0.663) and spike reach (p < 0.05; r = 0.463). We did not find any significant relationships between the spike speed and the sit-up test (p > 0.05; r = 0.134). The results show the most important finding about the presumable changes in final spike speed depending on the changes in performances in the implemented tests, in which a significant relationship was demonstrated.