Analysis of movement variability during the spike jump action in young and high-level female volleyball players: differences between categories and playing positions

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare movement variability (MV) during the spike jump (S) action with and without a ball in volleyball players of different categories and playing positions. Methods: A total of 48 volleyball players participated in this study. The players were divided according to the following categories: under-14 (U-14) (n = 12); U-16 (n = 12); U-19 (n = 12); and SENIOR (n = 12). Also, they were divided according to playing position: hitters (n = 24); liberos (n = 5); middle blockers (n = 12); and setters (n = 7). The S action with and without a ball was analyzed. Acceleration was analyzed using an IMU device. Acceleration was used to calculate MV through sample entropy (SampEn). [...]