How Do Jump Counts Differ Among Volleyball Positions During Practices And Games?
Presenter(s)
Daniel Arntzen, Aubrey Gibson, and Sophia Taarud
Abstract
PURPOSE: Volleyball is a high impact, jump dominant sport where athletes experience repeated mechanical loading, constantly placing them under high stress. In volleyball, positional roles impose distinct movement and technical demands, hence why jump exposure can vary between athletes. Understanding that jump exposure varies by position helps inform practice design, athlete monitoring, and load management. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine positional differences through external loads by comparing jump counts between volleyball positions (middles, outside, and setter) during both practices and games. METHODS: Five NCAA DII female volleyball athletes were tracked throughout the 2025 season, specifically 17 practices and 15 games using an IMU (inertial measurement unit) placed around their waist. An inertial measurement unit quantifies jump count in real time. The positions in this study included 2 Outside Hitters, 2 Middle Blockers, and 1 Setter. Jump count was recorded and uploaded for analysis after each practice and game session. RESULTS: Setters demonstrated the highest overall average jump counts compared to outsides and middles in practices [Setters - 120 jumps] followed by Outside Hitters [ 103 jumps ] and Middle blockers last with [101 jumps], However for games the mean jump count was as followed [Setters - 157 jumps] then Middle blockers [100 jumps] and finally Outside hitters [85 jumps] . Between practices and games, setters showed a 31% increase in jump count, while outsides and middles showed a 17% and 1% decrease in jump count, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate different jumping demands between positions when looking at jump count. Setters had the highest jump count by a large margin, and while Middle blockers and Outside hitters had similar means, they demonstrated large variability in their jump counts. Using this study, coaches will be able to design their practices considering the jump count from games between positions to manage load and prevent injury.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Becky Heinert
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 9:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1a=9am-10am
Poster Number
77
How Do Jump Counts Differ Among Volleyball Positions During Practices And Games?
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
PURPOSE: Volleyball is a high impact, jump dominant sport where athletes experience repeated mechanical loading, constantly placing them under high stress. In volleyball, positional roles impose distinct movement and technical demands, hence why jump exposure can vary between athletes. Understanding that jump exposure varies by position helps inform practice design, athlete monitoring, and load management. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine positional differences through external loads by comparing jump counts between volleyball positions (middles, outside, and setter) during both practices and games. METHODS: Five NCAA DII female volleyball athletes were tracked throughout the 2025 season, specifically 17 practices and 15 games using an IMU (inertial measurement unit) placed around their waist. An inertial measurement unit quantifies jump count in real time. The positions in this study included 2 Outside Hitters, 2 Middle Blockers, and 1 Setter. Jump count was recorded and uploaded for analysis after each practice and game session. RESULTS: Setters demonstrated the highest overall average jump counts compared to outsides and middles in practices [Setters - 120 jumps] followed by Outside Hitters [ 103 jumps ] and Middle blockers last with [101 jumps], However for games the mean jump count was as followed [Setters - 157 jumps] then Middle blockers [100 jumps] and finally Outside hitters [85 jumps] . Between practices and games, setters showed a 31% increase in jump count, while outsides and middles showed a 17% and 1% decrease in jump count, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate different jumping demands between positions when looking at jump count. Setters had the highest jump count by a large margin, and while Middle blockers and Outside hitters had similar means, they demonstrated large variability in their jump counts. Using this study, coaches will be able to design their practices considering the jump count from games between positions to manage load and prevent injury.
Comments
Taarud, Sophia J; Arntzen, Daniel L; Gibson, Aubrey A