The effect of two different warm ups on jumping performance in elite volleyball players

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of classical warm-up and short-term high intensity warm-up protocols on jumping performance in volleyball. A total of 30 female volleyball players (age: 26.53±3.71 years; height: 1.82±0.09 m; weight: 70.32±9.34 kg), 15 elite and 15 sub-elite, participated in the study voluntarily. The study was carried out with pre-post test method. All athletes came to the measurement twice and rest was given for 2 days between the measurements. The jump heights of the participants before warm-up were recorded. Then, classical volleyball warm-up (protocol-1) and short-term high intensity warm-up (protocol-2) methods were applied and 3 vertical jumps were performed after each protocol and the highest value was recorded. Mann Whitney U test was used when the variable scores did not show normal distribution in at least one of the Elite and Sub-Elite groups, and independent two sample t test was used when both groups showed normal distribution. In the Elite group, protocol-2 jump performance was found to be significantly higher than protocol-1 jump performance (p>0.05). In the sub-elite group, protocol-2 jump performance was significantly higher than protocol-1 jump performance. At the same time, protocol -2 jump performance of the participants was significantly higher than protocol-1 and baseline jump performance (p>0.05). In the study, the differences between the performances of three different jump tests; the jump performed after the initial warm-up, the jump performed after the classical volleyball warm-up (protocol 1) and the jump performed after a short -term high intensity warm -up (protocol 2) were analysed. The most important result of our study was that the effect of protocol-2 on jumping performance was higher. It is thought that the exercises used in Protocol-2 stimulate the neuromuscular system and activate the elongation-shortening cycle affecting the jump performance and enable the rapid conversion of muscle strength into power compared to the other warm-up protocol.