Effect of Velocity-Based Training on Vertical Jump Performance by Beach Volleyball Players

The aim of this study was to examine variations in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance after two velocity-based training (VBT) protocols in the half-squat exercise. Sixteen male beach volleyball athletes performed CMJ tests before and after three experimental sessions on the half-squat exercise. The two VBT protocols were performed in three sets, at a mean propulsive velocity (~ 0.49 m•s^-1) associated with relative intensity (~ 85% 1RM), with three minutes interset recovery. In the VL0-10 session, the participants stopped their sets upon reaching a velocity loss (VL) threshold of 10%. In the VL10-20 session, participants stopped their sets upon reaching a VL between 10% and 20%. The VL0-10 session showed progressive increases in CMJ height (P < 0.05). Comparisons between different times-points in each session showed that VL0-10 was greater than VL10-20 (mean difference = 3.7 cm; P < 0.001) after four minutes. Additionally, VL0-10 was greater than both VL10-20 (P = 0.005) and the control (P = 0.006) after six minutes. Thus, CMJ height performance appears to be optimised with VBT protocol involving small VL. For beach volleyball athletes, a half-squat protocol with 0-10% VL improves subsequent acute performance in CMJ height.