The acute effect of isometric contractions and recovery time on the vertical jump of intermediate level female volleyball athletes

Authors

  • Eleni Anna Malfa National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Konstantinos Karras National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Athanasios Tsoukos National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Grigorios Bogdanis National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Karolina Barzouka National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Konstantinos Sotiropoulos National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Keywords:

post activation performance enhancement, half-squat ¼, force plate

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of maximal isometric exercise and recovery time on vertical jump height of intermediate-level volleyball players. Twelve healthy female athletes (age: 21.9±1.6 years) participated into two different protocols. The first involved the performance of counter movement jumps (CMJ) before the execution of 3 maximum isometric contractions at the ¼ half-squat as well as at the 3rd, 8th, 12th, 20th and 30th minute of recovery (experimental condition-ISO). The other involved the performance of CMJs at the same time points without the execution of any isometric contraction (control condition - CTRL). The results showed that the CMJ performance at the ISO condition exceeded that at the CTRL condition by 3.4% (p=0.048), while regardless of the condition it decreased compared to the initial measurement at the 3rd, 20th and 30th min of recovery by 2.9, 3.1 and 6%, respectively. When the best individual CMJ, regardless of the recovery time point was analyzed, the CMJ at the ISO condition was found to exceed that of the CTRL condition by 4.3% (p<0.05). In conclusion, maximum intensity isometric exercise can be effective for improving vertical jump, if optimal recovery time is considered. This has practical implications for coaching in sports requiring explosive strength.

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Published

2026-05-25

How to Cite

Μάλφα Ε. Ά., Καρράς Κ., Τσούκος Α., Μπογδάνης Γ., Μπαρζούκα Κ., & Σωτηρόπουλος Κ. (2026). The acute effect of isometric contractions and recovery time on the vertical jump of intermediate level female volleyball athletes. Exercise and Society, 2, 14–27. Retrieved from https://ojs.staff.duth.gr/index.php/ExSoc/article/view/541

Issue

Vol. 2 (2025): Issue 77

Section

Team Sports Coaching

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