Accelerometry in sport

The possibilities to analyse various sports movements and activities, their techniques and dynamics are deepening and enhancing with the rapid development of modern technologies. It subsequently enables to improve and enhance sports techniques, performances and efficiency, to prevent possible injuries, to enhance training methods, and to reach sports results of higher quality. The use of accelerometry to observe, examine and analyse various movements and their techniques and dynamics in different human physical and sports activities has become of high prominence in several recent decades. The goal of the paper is to illustrate some possibilities of the use of accelerometry to analyse these aspects in the field of sport, in selected cyclic and acyclic sports. The study aims to outline and indicate a way of possible examination, observation and analysis of the data acquired by accelerometry measurements

Effect of 6-Month Fascia-Oriented Training on the Dynamics of Changes and the Height of Vertical Jump in Well-Trained Junior Female Volleyball Players

Based on the research review, fascia-oriented training may positively influence sports performance.  Its component focused on the “catapult” mechanism can increase the capability of the connective tissue to store and release kinetic energy, which is involved in various movement actions, activities and skills including the jumping skills in volleyball. The study was conducted to assess the effect of the 6-month fascia-oriented training on the height of the vertical jump in well-trained junior female volleyball players. 16 players (age 17.31 ± 0.98; height 173 ± 5.26; weight 65.25 ± 6.75), members of one team competing in the national league, were randomly assigned for the training group (TG) and control group (CG). TG participated in a supervised 25-minute fascia-oriented training twice a week for six months. To measure the height of the jump, the force plate Bertec FP6012-15-4000 was used. Three testing measures were executed: pre-test, mid-test and post-test with three trials of the standing vertical countermovement jump with all arm movement. The study presupposed that after three months, the height of jump may rise slightly more in TG than in CG. After six months, a statistically significant increase was expected in TG compared to CG. Based on the results of the study, we conclude that the 6-month fascia-oriented training focused on the development of the height of vertical jump in well-trained junior volleyball players neither complied with the assumed dynamics in changes nor was statistically significantly beneficial. However, the dynamics of the changes indicate that fascia-oriented training may positively influence the stability and efficiency of the jumping performance during the game season

Effect of 6-Month Fascia-Oriented Training on Jump Performance in Elite Female Volleyball Players

Fascia-oriented training is supposed to enhance physical performance potential. Specifically, the employment of the catapult mechanism, the refinement of the elastic energy storage, remodelling, rehydration and release in fascia tissue is supposed to enable faster and more powerful jump performance. The authors of this study confirmed that little applied research has been conducted to bring scientific evidence verifying these findings into sports practice. The study was conducted to assess the effect of a 6-month, fascia-oriented training programme, designed in accordance with the principles of the fascia-oriented exercise, on the height of vertical countermovement jump (CMJ) performance in well-trained volleyball players. Sixteen female players (age 17.31 ± 0.98; height 173 ± 5.26; weight 65.25 ± 6.75) competing in the national league were randomly assigned for the training (TG) and control group (CG). TG performed a supervised 25-minute fascia-oriented training program twice a week for six months. Measurements were conducted before and after the training intervention. The subjects performed 3 trials of CMJ. The study hypothesized that after the application, the height of CMJ would increase more in TG than in CG. The results show that the height of CMJ in TG increased compared to CMJ height in CG, though the difference is not statistically significant. The results of the effect size manifests the increase of the medium level, by 2.2cm in TG. Therefore, we conclude that the results of the study indicate that the application of the 6-month, fascia-oriented training program aimed to develop the vertical jump performance potential in elite volleyball players is not statistically significantly beneficial