The effects of explosive strength in Volleyball: a brief review

Abstract

The current research provides a brief review of the state of the art on explosive strength and power training in volleyball players of different competitive levels, trying to understand its importance to performance. It seems important to understand the role of muscle strength for volleyball players and how it is associated with performance and therefore how it can be improved. To do so, the PubMed and Web of Science databases were consulted, searching for peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2017. The twenty-four selected studies were presented with the objective of evaluating the influence of the training of strength for the improvement of the performance of each player and in particular in each field position. It has been found that a training program containing medicine ball throwing and vertical jumps, mainly ballistic efforts, induced positive changes in the players. The data obtained also allowed us to suggest that strength training should take into account the anthropometric characteristics of the players and their position during the game. In addition, the coach should develop strength training aiming to reduce muscular fatigue throughout the game. The results analyzed enable coaches to realize the benefits by implementing an appropriate strength training program, according to the gender, level and specific position of each player in the field.