6533b82bfe1ef96bd128d704

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effects of a Postural Exercise Program on Vertical Jump Height in Young Female Volleyball Players with Knee Valgus

Valerio GiustinoGiuseppe MessinaAntonino PattiElvira PaduaDaniele ZanglaPatrik DridGiuseppe BattagliaAntonio PalmaAntonino Bianco

subject

Health Toxicology and MutagenesisPostural exercisesVertical jump heightPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthVertical jump performancePilot ProjectsSport performanceExercise TherapyKnee valgusVolleyballvertical jump height; vertical jump performance; biomechanics; sport performance; postural exercises; volleyball; body posture; knee valgusBody postureHumansFemaleKneeBiomechanicsMuscle Strengthhuman activitiesExercise

description

Background: Although a knee valgus position is related to the increase in injury risk in volleyball players, there is a lack of studies on the relationship between knee valgus and vertical jump (VJ) performance. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a postural exercise program on VJ height in young female volleyball players with knee valgus. Methods: This pilot study included 19 young female volleyball players divided into the following groups: the Valgus Experimental Group (VEG); the Valgus Control Group (VCG); and the Neutral Control Group (NCG). All three groups carried out the same volleyball training program. In addition, only the VEG underwent a 3-month postural exercise program of 30–45 min/session, twice/week. VJ performance was measured through the Sargent test before (T0), at 6 weeks (T1), and at 12 weeks (T2). Results: A significant effect from T0 to T1 (p = 0.0017) and from T0 to T2 (p = 0.0001) was found in the VEG. No significant differences were found over time in the VCG and in the NCG. Conclusion: An integrated postural exercise program might lead to a more balanced muscle efficiency inducing athletes to obtain a higher VJ performance.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2022-03-26
10.3390/ijerph19073953http://hdl.handle.net/10447/545328