Original article

The eccentric-concentric phase and the index of strength reactivates in the jump with counter movement in volleyball players

0000-0003-3958-5774Idolo Gilberto Herrera Delgado^{1  *}  , 0000-0002-6333-3158Tania Rosa García Hernández²  , 0000-0001-5571-3399Yumilka Daisy Ruiz Luaces¹ 

¹Centro Investigaciones Deporte Cubano (CIDC). Cuba.

²Universidad de Pinar del Río "Hermanos Saíz Montes de Oca", Facultad de Cultura Física "Nancy Uranga Romagoza". Pinar del Río, Cuba.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work is to analyze the relationship between the eccentric-concentric phase and the reactive strength index in the vertical jump with countermovement of the first category volleyball team in Havana. For this purpose, reference is made to the meaning of the different components of muscular contraction in sports activity, as well as other types of muscular contractions for dynamic work. The methods used were theoretical and empirical, such as historical-logical, inductive-deductive, analysis-synthesis, documentary review, measurement and mathematical-statistical; the latter for the tabulation and arrival of results. McCall's scoring method was used to determine the evaluation of the selected indicators, where the values observed above the mean are taken into account, which have positive standard scores, while the values below the mean have negative standard scores. A comparison is made with other research, exceeding in the case of males by 0.8 cm. With respect to the Cuban average, there is a difference of 0.7 cm. with respect to the Spanish average of 0.13 cm. and when analyzing the international reference, the difference is between 8 and 13 cm. The information achieved facilitated the correct planning and its intensification in the loads with weights in the zone of maximum, fast and explosive strength for the increase of the vertical jump in volleyball athletes, reflected in the competitive result of the team.

Key words: Eccentric-concentric phase; Reactive strength index; Vertical jump; Jump with counter movement; Volleyball.

INTRODUCTION

Prioritizing explosive strength and its correct training with the use of the plyometric method for the improvement of jumping capacity in high competition is an effective way because it increases explosive strength, by using the elastic and contractile component of skeletal muscle, an action that is generated by producing a concentric contraction preceded by an eccentric contraction ^{(Siff & Verkhoshansky, 2004}; ^{Cometti, 2007}; ^{Flanagan and M. Comyns, 2008}; ^{García et al., 2014}; ^{Bustos, 2019)}.

In this order, strength training with eccentric loading generates great tensions in the musculature, establishing neural adaptations, given by eccentric exercise, due to the fact that they improve the nerve impulse response from the spinal cord, as well as the development of a better synchronization of muscle fiber activation and an increase in the recruitment of fast-acting type II fibers ^{(McHugh, 2003)}.

Thus, eccentric training of a muscle group improves the speed of its concentric contractions ^{(Sheppard and Young, 2010)}, being a specific training that has been shown to be effective for faster neuromuscular adaptations ^{(Seynnes, de Boer & Narici, 2007)}, it can also increase the muscle's threshold of rupture and its capacity to absorb loads ^{(LaStayoet al., 2003)}, it can selectively affect fast twitch fibers ^{(Carreño and López, 2003)}. This training performed in isoinertial devices can improve aspects related to the sport, such as speed in changes of direction in the 20-meter speed test, in the height of the Counter movement Jump and in the distance in triple jump ^{(Navarro, 2015)}, in addition to increasing muscle strength, joint speed and, additionally, the synthesis of collagen in the connective tissue, which allows a better functioning of the tendon, fundamental for the prevention of injuries.

Hence, it is important to take into consideration the concept of ^{Herrera (2003)}, where he states that plyometrics is that active expression of the muscles in which an eccentric-concentric contraction is performed as fast as possible, originating a muscular potential that depends on a manifestation of strength and speed.

Furthermore, it is of utmost importance, when approaching this field in sports research, to have theoretical references regarding the study of the subject in question; such is the case of the reactive manifestation: which is nothing more than the strength generated by the muscle as a reaction to an external strength that modifies or alters its own structure.

For ^{Acevedo (2008)}, the "reactive ability of the muscle in different situations of muscular contraction is defined as the specific capacity to develop a high impulse of strength, immediately after a sudden mechanical muscle stretch, that is to say, it is the capacity to pass quickly from eccentric to concentric muscle work.

These expressions are directly related to the capacity to jump, which are determinant at the time of performing, specifically, a jump to attack, which depends on the impulse run, the union of both feet at the moment of jumping with the shortest possible delay and a subsequent take-off, which must be coordinated with the pass made at the instant of attacking ^{(Flanagan and Comyns, 2008)}.

It is necessary to mention that strength is the expression of the muscular action generated when performing a contraction, so it is important to know the different types of muscular contraction in sports activities:

• Isometric: In this type of strength no external work is generated (work = 0), although the muscle produces contraction.

• Concentric: Also called concentric dynamics, in which external work is produced during contraction in which the muscle is shortened (positive work).

• Eccentric: Also called eccentric dynamics, in which during contraction an external work is produced in which the muscle lengthens (negative work) ^{(García et al., 2014)}.

It should also be mentioned that there are other types of muscular contractions for dynamic work, such as: isokinetic contraction, in which the movement of the joint is maintained at a constant speed; isoinertial contraction, in which the resistance, against which the muscle must contract, remains constant; isotonic contraction, in which the tension is constant throughout a range of joint movement.

It is important to note that concentric, isometric and eccentric contractions, in human movements, rarely occur in isolation, i.e., one type of contraction is preceded by a different one.

When dealing with training volumes, it is essential to use the polymetric method, which has been the most suitable in volleyball players for the progress of jumping, with a view to a competition, particularly in university student athletes, where their time is limited by this condition and they can train between 10 and 14 hours a week.

With the constant demand of each exercise to be performed at the highest speed in the field of physical preparation, both general and special, for the gain of power for the vertical jump, whatever is most important for the development of the muscles involved in the jump, We are talking about the abdominal area, the paravertebral and pelvic girdle muscles, as well as those of the lower extremities (anteroposterior) where, in the normal training routine, special attention is paid to the hamstrings and quadriceps and other muscles located in that area.

In this way, two important purposes are achieved for the good functioning of the capacity that occupies: to strengthen these muscular planes and to avoid the ailments in the zone of the articulation of the knee.

All this occurs because the body segments are constantly subjected to strengths of different magnitudes such as jumping, changes of direction, running and even gravity, which stretches the muscle. At these times, the muscles are working eccentrically and immediately concentrically. The combination of eccentric and concentric actions is a natural type of muscle function known as CEA. Hence, that rapid eccentric contraction (the muscle is being stretched), immediately followed by a rapid concentric muscle contraction (the muscle is contracting), which are coordinated in a specific action time that allows taking advantage of the muscular elastic capacity in the concentric phase of the movement, which allows the player to jump more and solve the situation within the game.

Some studies, such as the one carried out by ^{Cormie, Mc Bride & McCaulley (2009)}, state that the use of the accumulated elastic energy and, therefore, the height of the jump increases the faster the eccentric phase of the jump is, as well as the transition between this phase and the subsequent concentric phase.

In volleyball, it is important to work on the gain of higher levels of power, which improve the jumping for each of the specific actions within the game.

This facilitated a study of the men's university volleyball team of Havana since, despite having an average height with respect to the other teams participating in the national championship, their performance is not correct during the execution and result of the game actions, evidenced mainly in the power of jumping at the time of blocking.

That is why, it is presented as an objective to analyze the existing relationship between the eccentric-concentric phase (CEA) and the index of reactive strength in the vertical jump with countermovement of the first category volleyball team of Havana. Such results will allow to order in a significant way the training loads for a period of 10 to 12 weeks of work and to receive an adaptive response that will satisfy the team's results in the upcoming competitions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Context and participants

The volleyball team is composed of 12 players. Of these, two are setters, four are receiving attackers, three are middle or first time attackers, two are diagonals or opposite the passer and one is a libero. These players, according to their role in the game, have personalized characteristics, physical, technical, tactical, psychological and one of the most important aspects, that of competitive responsibility.

Methodology

In order to know the relationship between the eccentric-concentric phase and the reactive strength index, the vertical jump with countermovement was applied in the 1st category volleyball team. For the realization of the test, the loads applied the previous week were consulted in order to have knowledge of the state in which the athletes were. It is important to inform that the indicators shown in the following table were evaluated (Table 1).

Table 1. - Indicators used for the study of strength 

PC (N	MC (Kg	FM (N)	FMR (%)	Imp. (Ns)	RFD(N/s	RSI
Body weight	Body Mass	Maximum Strength	Relative Maximum Strength	Impulse (Area under the curve	Speed of Strength Development	Reactive Strength Index
V (m/s)	Alt (m)	TC (s)	TV (s	FE (s)	FC (s	IF (s
Speed	Jump hieght	Contact Time	Flight Time	Eccentric phase of the movement	Concentric phase of the movement	Braking impulse

To evaluate the results obtained by the athletes from the height of the jumps, it was used McCall's statistical scoring method, a quality model, used to evaluate the final product of a software based on quality factors, divided into important criteria that in turn, are broken down into metrics, from which users can evaluate the quality of the final product of a software, with the objective of having an evaluation of an athlete with respect to the others, i.e., evaluate the sample against itself.

McCall scoring method

In statistics, the standard score is the signed number of standard deviations, according to which the value of an observation or data point is above the mean value of what is being observed or measured. Observed values above the mean have positive standard scores, while values below the mean have negative standard scores. The standard score is a quantity to dimensional, obtained by subtracting the population mean from an individual raw score and then dividing the difference by the population standard deviation. This conversion process is called standardization or normalization (Equation 1).

The Z-value provides an evaluation of how off-target a process is operating.

In educational evaluation, the T-score is a standard Z-score shifted and scaled to have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. They are useful for comparing, for example, different people on the same measure or the same person on different measures (Equation 2).

Where:

Xi	- Raw score
X	- Sample mean
S	- Standard deviation

Likewise, the following evaluation scale was taken into account (Table 2).

Table 2.  - Evaluation scale for the sample 

Values	>75	66-75	56-65	46-55	36-45	26-35	<26
Eval.	Excellent	Very good	Good	Regular	Bad	Very bad	Terrible

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Once the test was applied to the players, the following results were observed (Tabla 3).

Table 3.  - Results obtained by the athletes on the platform, in the vertical jump with Counter movement Jump 

In the table, there are different indicators that evaluate the vertical jump developed by each athlete. In general, an evaluation is given based on McCall's Z score. It can be seen that only four athletes are above the average of the group, obtaining an evaluation of good, four remained in regular and four were evaluated as bad.

It was interesting to make a comparison of the average obtained, based on the heights of the jumps, with those proposed by other authors in their respective research (Table 4).

Table 4.  - International benchmarks for elite male volleyball players ^{(Ruiz, 2017)}  

It is observed that the mean of 0.47 m. obtained is below that obtained by ^{Herrera (2010)}. With respect to the Cuban, there is a difference of 0.7 cm. compared to the Spanish of 0.13 cm. and between 8 and 13 cm. compared to the international.

Centeno ^{Prada (2013)} presents reference values of the Bosco Test in a population of Andalusian athletes. In the case of volleyball, the average jump heights are found to be 0.47 meters for the vertical jump with countermovement. The ages oscillate around 26 years old, the weight 86.55 kg and the height 187.64 centimeters. This is below that proposed by ^{Ruiz (2017)}, (Table 5).

Table 5.  - CMJ references, established by ^{Garrido et al., (2012)}, where several sports are included 

This comparison shows that the team studied for this research exceeds the values reported by these authors, exceeding the global average by 0.11 cm. and in the case of males by 0.8 cm. The female was discarded, since this research does not cover that sex.

In this same order, other criteria were evaluated, such as those of ^{Garrido et al., (2012)}, who developed a publication showing (Table 6):

Table 6. - CMJ benchmarks, established for a sample of volleyball athletes 

However, in these values the ages and categories of the athletes with whom the study was carried out are not recorded.

In the same way, in most of the works, the variables analyzed are jump height, strength and power. The publications do not specify to which categories the researched athletes belong, however, Cuban athletes have exclusive genetic characteristics, which place them above other populations in the world ranking, in relation to jumping capacity. The processed data also facilitate a more specific analysis of each one of the indicators, as is the following case (Figure 1).

Fig. 1. - Jumps heights of the investigated athletes 

The figure shows the different heights in the jumps of the athletes, it can be observed that the best results are those above 0.50 m. and as it was already known, the average of the group is 0.47 m. In critical case, athlete No. 3 is found, of which a more detailed study will be made later.

As can be seen from the results, those players who obtain less than 0.50 meters in the height of the jump, certainly need to improve their explosive strength, their quick strength and the speed of their movements when performing a block or attack, as well as an unexpected displacement in the defense of the field.

In Figure 2, it is observed that athletes 1, 5, 7, 11 and 12, exceed 50 points, however, the rest of the athletes remain below this average. It is necessary to mention that, from this type of evaluation, a counterpart is always sought, which means that, if one part of the athletes is with a good evaluation, the other part of these should be evaluated poorly, in a score range of 0-100 points and as described above, there is a scale that evaluates this sample (Figure 2).

Fig. 2. - McCall's Zscore evaluations of the athletes researched 

In the case of speed (Figure 3), it can be noted that the same athletes who reached evaluations above 50 points are those who exceed 3 m/s, the rest do not achieve good speeds, which is fundamental in the case of volleyball, product of the characteristic actions of this game, seen in the attacks from the net and, sometimes, much faster from the back (positions 6 and 1) where the speed of movement is expressed in all its magnitude as part of the element of surprise (Figure 3).

Fig. 3. - Speeds developed by the researched athletes 

When observing the reactive strength index (Figure 4), it can be seen that the best results are above 0.600, as is the case of athletes 1, 5 and 6. Athletes 2, 3 and 4 present a poor relationship between the contact time and the height obtained in the vertical jump with countermovement.

This means that the longer the first phase lasts, the lower the height of the jump, and in turn, the shorter the contact phase, the greater the probability of jump height.

Fig. 4. - Reactive strength index presented by the athletes researched 

In the case of the contact time of these last mentioned athletes, they present considerably high contact times, especially athlete 4 who, as can be seen in the graph, is the one who shows the lowest RSI. The flight times present difficulties as well, so the jump height is affected. The levels of strength gradients in the future should be part of the preparation of these volleyball players, as the need for a more systematic work in the way of strength work is appreciated.

This sometimes happens in different types of players, in some cases they are very young and have not received for a certain time the load that determines the progress of the capacity; in others, they train far from their potential possibilities, bringing a setback, it also exists when there is an excess of maximum load, since the muscle will grow transversely and not longitudinally.

What should always exist is the methodological indications that place them on the desired path, depending on the case they are in.

For the team researched, it is more convenient for the contact time (Tc in Spanish) to be between 0.800 and 0.840 and the flight time (Tv in Spanish) at 0.659 with an SD of ±0.29.

As seen in Figure 5, the athletes are outside the ideal range, proposed by G. Hochmuth in 1981 and cited by Bohigas (2019), indicating that the braking impulse phase is too long. This produces loss in the coupling phase or transition from the braking impulse phase to the acceleration impulse. Producing too much or too little elastic energy, which cannot be used in the concentric phase of the movement and thus fails to start at a higher level of strength as expected (Figure 5).

Trainings that include the ABC of speed athletics, in short distances, would be the most recommended to educate this motor action, in addition, exercises with the ladder or other obstacles would help this phase, so important for the vertical jump, contribute to obtaining a better range to attack, block or serve from jumping tennis ^{(Ruiz, 2017)}.

Fig. 5. - Relationship between braking impulse phase and acceleration impulse phase for the athletes researched 

It would be interesting to know what percentage increases the height of the jump. However, it will be taken into account, in other cases, to evaluate the elastic capacity by means of the difference between the jump with countermovement and the Squat Jump to see at another time the continuation of this research.

It is corroborated that the athletes are outside the optimal range for the transfer from one phase to the other; but in the case of Figure 6, the speeds presented by each of them are also shown, it is observed that athletes 2, 6, 9, 10, are closer to the marked area, however, they present low speeds, which could be solved with speed work between 5 and 30 meters (Figure 6).

Fig. 6.  - Relationship between the braking impulse phase and the acceleration impulse phase with respect to the velocity developed by the athletes researched 

Players 1, 5, 7, 11, 12, are the ones who developed more speed, but surely, with maximum strength and explosive strength work in a combined way, they could face in a more complete way the demands given by the sport of volleyball.

In the case of volleyball players 4 and 8, they are the ones who are farthest away from a correct relationship, in works on the basis of basic strength in all its expression and plyometric exercises, very specifically in the muscles that oppose the movement; this could bring great improvements in the evolution of these volleyball players.

On the other hand, there is the case of athlete No. 3, who presents very low speed, in addition to presenting a transition between phases with large losses. It could be said that his physical preparation is minimal, he does not meet the necessary requirements. This is the athlete who is in the worst shape with respect to his team, so he needs a specialized dedication with work in the gym, where the bases are created for him to be able to face training at the level of the first category of volleyball.

CONCLUSSIONS

The study carried out allowed to define the need to intensify the loads with weights in the zone of maximum, fast and explosive strength, as well as with the trainings that include the ABC of speed athletics in short distances of 30, 20 and 10 meters in speed running. Continue working with the skill exercises on the ladder, gaining frequency of movements and fast contact phases so as not to produce loss in the coupling phase or transition from the braking impulse phase to the acceleration impulse, as well as in the program of preparation for the vertical jump with running, in addition, special attention should be paid at the time of the coupling action between the eccentric-concentric phase and the action of arms for the jump.

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Received: November 08, 2020; Accepted: March 07, 2021

^*Autor para la correspondencia: [e-mail]

Los autores declaran no tener conflictos de intereses.

Idolo Gilberto Herrera Delgado: Concepción de la idea, confección de instrumentos, análisis estadístico, confección de tablas, gráficos e imágenes, confección de base de datos, asesoramiento general por la temática abordada, revisión y versión final del artículo, corrección del artículo, coordinador de la autoría.

Tania Rosa García Hernández: Confección de instrumentos, aplicación de instrumentos, recopilación de la información resultado de los instrumentos aplicados, análisis estadístico, confección de base de datos, redacción del original (primera versión), revisión y versión final del artículo, traducción de términos o información obtenida.

Yumilka Daisy Ruiz Luaces: Búsqueda y revisión de literatura, confección de instrumentos, aplicación de instrumentos, recopilación de la información resultado de los instrumentos aplicados, confección de tablas, gráficos e imágenes, revisión y versión final del artículo, revisión de la aplicación de la norma bibliográfica aplicada.