2023, Vol. 10, Issue 4, Part A

Objective: To improve performance of serve and spike velocity through strength and plyometric training. The modern game of volleyball requires to play in all positions during match. At times player become a spikier, blocker, attacker, server and defender. As a consequence a player is expected to work on programme designed to improve strength, agility and flexibility. The two main techniques which are important in play serve and spike. A definite degree of strength of wrist and shoulder muscle is required for serve and spiking.

Materials and Methods: Using randomized sampling experimental study at the college level, 30 students had participated in the study, study has been conducted for 6 weeks – 2 sessions/day. Tools used included an Electronic stop watch were used to measure the time of the ball during service and spiking, steel tape is used to measure the distance of spike and serve, push pull dynamometer used to measure the strength. Multiple Regression Equation To predict the velocity of the service and the velocity of the spiked ball with the help of selected independent variables i.e. selected strength variables and size of the body parts separate regression were drawn. The resulted equations have been presented as follows.

X1 = (Arm Strength) + (Arm Length) + (Leg Strength) – 36.53 Where X1 = Service Velocity of the ball

X2 = (Arm Strength) + (Arm Length) + (Leg Strength) – 14.86 Where X2 = Spiking Velocity of the ball

On comparing the Mean values of Group A & Group B on Shoulder Muscle Strength Measurement in terms of Maximum Isometric Voluntary Contraction (MIVC) Score using Push Pull Dynamometer, it shows significant Increase in the post test Mean values but (Group B - Strength Training) which has the higher Mean value in Shoulder Flexors, Abductors, Internal Rotators & External Rotators Muscle Strength are more effective than (Group A - Plyometric Training) at p≤0.001. Hence Null Hypothesis is rejected. On comparing the Mean values of Group A & Group B on Vertical Jump Test for anaerobic power, both the groups shows significant increase in the post test Mean values but (Group B - Strength Training) 50.40 centimeters which has the higher Mean value is more effective than (Group A - Plyometric Training) 45.53 centimeters at p≤0.001. Hence Null Hypothesis is rejected. On comparing the Mean values of Group A & Group B on Serve and Spike Velocity, both the groups shows significant increase in the post test Mean values but (Group B - Strength Training) 83.74mph & 78.55 mph which has the higher Mean value is more effective than (Group A - Plyometric Training) 73.48 mph & 83.74 mph at p≤0.001. Hence Null Hypothesis is rejected. On comparing Pre-test and Post-test within Group A & Group B on Shoulder Muscle (MIVC), Vertical Jump Test & Serve and Spike Velocity shows highly significant difference in Mean values at p≤0.001.

Conclusion: There is significant relationship between selected strength variables namely arm strength, grip strength, leg strength, back strength to the velocity of volleyball serve and spike. There is significant relationship between body parts size namely leg length, arm length, upper body length, hand length to the velocity of volleyball serve and spike. Arm strength, arm length and leg strength together contributed significantly to the velocity of service. Arm strength, leg length and leg strength together contributed significantly to the velocity of spike.

The study concludes that strength training shows more improvement then plyometric training to improve spike and service velocity.