Evaluation of Lower Body Power and Shoulder Strength between Collegiate Beach and Indoor Women’s Volleyball Athletes in the NCAA DIII
Location
Hopwood Auditorium
Access Type
Open Access
Presentation Type
Oral presentation
Entry Number
71
Start Date
4-16-2026 9:45 AM
End Date
4-16-2026 10:00 AM
School
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Department
Exercise Physiology
Abstract
In explosive, full-body-oriented sports such as indoor and beach volleyball, jumping ability and upper-body stability and strength are necessary for success. Female athletes must generate significant power from their lower body to achieve vertical displacement when attacking and blocking, while also maintaining shoulder strength for high-velocity overhead movements. While previous research has examined these variables in professional settings, especially among men, the physiological adaptations resulting from playing on different surfaces, sand compared to hardwood, remain under-researched in the DIII female collegiate population. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-body power, vertical jump height, and isometric shoulder strength between NCAA DIII women’s volleyball athletes who play indoor and beach volleyball. METHODS: Participants for the study were recruited from the Varsity Women’s Beach and Indoor Volleyball teams at the University of Lynchburg. Females between the ages of 18 and 25 completed an anthropometric assessment by using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and a Forestry Queen 5-minute Step Test to estimate VO₂ max. Additionally, lower body performance was assessed by using a Vertec for vertical jump plates, VALD force plates for counter movement jumps, isometric mid-thigh pulls, and isometric shoulder strength at Y, T, and I abduction angles to determine peak force output.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Sean Collins Dr. Jill Lucas
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Exercise Physiology
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Evaluation of Lower Body Power and Shoulder Strength between Collegiate Beach and Indoor Women’s Volleyball Athletes in the NCAA DIII
Hopwood Auditorium
In explosive, full-body-oriented sports such as indoor and beach volleyball, jumping ability and upper-body stability and strength are necessary for success. Female athletes must generate significant power from their lower body to achieve vertical displacement when attacking and blocking, while also maintaining shoulder strength for high-velocity overhead movements. While previous research has examined these variables in professional settings, especially among men, the physiological adaptations resulting from playing on different surfaces, sand compared to hardwood, remain under-researched in the DIII female collegiate population. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-body power, vertical jump height, and isometric shoulder strength between NCAA DIII women’s volleyball athletes who play indoor and beach volleyball. METHODS: Participants for the study were recruited from the Varsity Women’s Beach and Indoor Volleyball teams at the University of Lynchburg. Females between the ages of 18 and 25 completed an anthropometric assessment by using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and a Forestry Queen 5-minute Step Test to estimate VO₂ max. Additionally, lower body performance was assessed by using a Vertec for vertical jump plates, VALD force plates for counter movement jumps, isometric mid-thigh pulls, and isometric shoulder strength at Y, T, and I abduction angles to determine peak force output.