Maximal power and force-velocity relationships during cycling and crankingexercises in volleyball players - Correlation with the vertical jump test

Background. The aim of this study was to propose a test battery adjusted to volleyball players and to study the links between dynamic (vertical jump, force-velocity relationships and maximal anaerobic power in cranking and cy cling) and static (maximal voluntary force and rate of force development in isometric conditions) performances. Methods. The relationships between braking force (F) and peak velocity (V) have been determined for cycling and cranking exercises in 18 male volleyba ll players of a district league. According to previous studies, these F-V r elationships were assumed to be linear and were expressed as follows: V=V-0 (1-F/F-0), where V-0 should be an estimate of the maximal velocity at zero braking force whereas Po is assumed to be a braking force corresponding to zero velocity. Maximal anaerobic power in cycling (P-max leg) and cranking (P-max arm) were calculated as equal to 0.25 V0F0. The same subjects perfo rmed a vertical jump test (VJ) and a strength test on an isometric leg pres s with the measurement of the unilateral isometric maximal voluntary force (MVF) and indices of rate of isometric force development (RFD): maximal rat e of force development (MFRD) and the time from 25% to 50% of MVF (T25-50). Results. P-max leg (15.8 +/- 1.4 W.kg(-1)) and V-0 arm (259.6 +/- 13.1 rpm) were high but similar to the results of elite athletes, previously collect ed with the same protocols and the same devices. VJ was significantly corre lated with F-0 leg, P-max leg and P-max arm related to body mass. The perfo rmances of the dynamic tests were significantly correlated and especially t he parameters (V-0, F-0, P-max) of the force velocity tests in cycling were significantly correlated with the same parameters in cranking. The results of the isometric tests (MVF, MRFD) were not correlated with VJ, except T25 -50 of the left leg. Conclusions. A vertical jump test and a force velocity test with the arms a re proposed for a test battery in volleyball players.