Effects of a volleyball-specific plyometric and spike training program (the “mega trend” program) on smash performance in youth female club athletes: a one-group pretest–posttest study

Abstract

In volleyball, a smashing performance relies on explosive power, coordination and perfect technical execution. To find out whether a 16- session volleyball-specific plyometric and spike-training program resulted in greater smash performance a study was carried out with eight youth female club volleyball athletes. Through a one-group pretest post- test quasi-experimental method, participants underwent plyometric routines combining hurdle, cone, box and pipe jumps with the spike-specific drills. The main variable here was the smash accuracy measured by the Nurhasan test across five sets where total scores were recorded against the target area before and after the program. The statistical techniques were paired- samples t test, Cohen's dz, 95 percentile CI, Wilcoxon test. From an average smash score of 5.25 ± 1.75, post-trainingscore was 8.75 ±1.58, a mean increase of 3.50 (95% CI [1.40, 5.60]), t(7)=3.95, p=.006, d z=1.40.Each player's level was enhanced. Our results point out a significant enhancement but a lack of control in the experimental design limits the establishment of an actualcausal relationship.