Enhancing Lower Limb Power in Volleyball Players: Countermovement Jump vs. Calf Raise – A Controlled Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Lower limb power is a crucial factor in the jumping performance of volleyball players. Recurrent injuries can reduce lower limb power, necessitating effective training methods. Countermovement jump and calf raise exercises are commonly used to improve lower limb power; however, their comparative effectiveness has not been extensively studied experimentally.

Methods: This study employed a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest two-group design. Twenty-two students aged 15–17 from a high school in Yogyakarta were randomly selected using simple random sampling. The intervention lasted four weeks, with sessions held three times per week. Lower limb power was assessed using the vertical jump test. Inclusion criteria comprised students actively playing volleyball without a history of injury in the past three months. Exclusion criteria included participants with medical conditions limiting physical activity or not completing the training sessions. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests in SPSS 26.

Results: Countermovement jump was more effective than calf raises in enhancing lower limb power, with an average increase of 4.64 cm (12.3%) compared to 2.64 cm (7.2%) in the calf raise group (p = 0.002, effect size = Cohen’s d = 1.02).

Conclusion: Countermovement jump is proven more effective than calf raises in improving lower limb power in volleyball players. This exercise can be considered a primary method in athletic performance enhancement programs.