This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of neuro-athletic training (NAT) on flexibility, spike speed, and upper extremity stability in elite volleyball players. Thirty professional male athletes aged 18–23 years old (mean age of 19.5 ± 1.77 years old in the NAT group and 19.8 ± 1.87 years old in the control group) participated, with 26 completing this study. The participants were randomly assigned into an NAT intervention group or a control group continuing traditional training. Both groups trained three days per week for eight weeks, with the NAT program targeting neuromuscular adaptations while maintaining equal total training durations. Flexibility was assessed using the Sit and Reach Test, spike speed was evaluated using the Pocket Radar Ball Coach, and upper extremity stability was measured using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST). The NAT group demonstrated significant improvements across all performance metrics. Flexibility increased significantly (p = 0.040; Cohen’s d = 0.845), indicating improved range of motion and musculoskeletal adaptability. Spike speed showed a highly significant improvement (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.503), reflecting enhanced neuromuscular coordination and power. Similarly, upper extremity stability exhibited substantial gains (p = 0.002; Cohen’s d = 1.152), highlighting improved shoulder stability and motor control. In contrast, the control group did not show statistically significant changes in their flexibility (p = 0.236; Cohen’s d = 0.045), spike speed (p = 0.197; Cohen’s d = 0.682), or upper extremity stability (p = 0.193; Cohen’s d = 0.184). Between-group comparisons confirmed the superiority of the NAT intervention, with significant differences across all metrics (p-values ranging from 0.040 to <0.001) and effect sizes spanning from moderate to large (Cohen’s d = 0.845–1.503). These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of NAT in enhancing volleyball-specific performance metrics, emphasizing its potential to target neuromuscular adaptations for improved flexibility, power, and stability. Future studies should explore the long-term effects of NAT and its applicability across various sports disciplines.

This study aims to explore the interplay between locomotor demands and goal differentials to better understand their combined influence on overall success. Spanning three competitive seasons within the male Turkish Super League, this study analyzed all participating teams across 124 matches. Locomotor demands, including total distance (m) covered (TD), distances covered (m) at different speed thresholds (0.21–2.0 m/s; 2.01–4.0 m/s; 4.01–5.5 m/s; and 5.5–7.7 m/s), and the number of accelerations in range of 5.5–7.0 m/s (n), were quantified using an optical tracking system. Subsequently, regression models were employed to predict the total points earned by all teams over the three seasons. The logistic regression model, tailored to predict team categorization as high-points earners (HPE) or low-points earners (LPE) based on locomotor variables, exhibited a mean accuracy of 74%. Notably, total distance covered, running speed intervals between 4.4 and 5.5 m/s, and the number of accelerations in range of 5.5–7.0 m/s emerged as significant predictors of team success. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of running speed (4.01–5.5 m/s), number of accelerations, and total distance in predicting success for high-performing teams. Coaches can leverage these insights to refine training programs, thereby optimizing team performance, and fostering success in competitive environments.

This study was conducted to compare the functional movement patterns of female volleyball players from different countries. 34 the women’s volleyball national team athletes from three different countries participated in the study; Turkey (n=9), Azerbaijan (n=16) and Kyrgyzstan (n=9). Functional movement screen of the athletes were determined by the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test kit. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test was used for multiple comparisons from nonparametric tests in determining the difference between functional movement patterns of national teams. At the end of the study, it was determined that the FMS total scores of the teams were higher than 14 points which were considered as critical limits and there was no statistically significant difference between the FMS total scores of the teams (p<0.05). However, there were significant differences between the teams in the hurdle step, shoulder clearing test and shoulder mobility tests which formed the FMS test battery. As a conclusion, the fact that volleyball players in each country have more than 14 points of FMS total score, which is the critical limit, shows that volleyball players have low risk of injury. This may be related to the elite level of volleyball players and the implementation of correct training models.

Objective: 12 weeks of corrective exercises may improve functional movement screen (FMS TM) test scores of elite female volleyball players.

Bu çalışmanın amacı kadın voleybolculara uygulanan core ve düzeltici egzersizlerin, Fonksiyonel Hareket Taraması (FMS) test skorlarına etkisinin incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya 13 kadın voleybolcu (yaş= 27,53 ± 5,12 yıl) gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcıların fonksiyonel hareketleri FMS test kiti ile belirlenmiştir. Voleybolculara haftada 3 gün olmak üzere 8 hafta boyunca core ve düzeltici egzersiz programı uygulanmıştır. Voleybolcuların FMS alt testleri ve FMS toplam puanları ile ön test ve uygulanan egzersiz programı sonrası son test puanlarının istatistiksel farkları Wilcoxon İşaretli Sıralar Testi ile belirlenmiştir. Yapılan istatistiksel analiz sonucunda voleybolcuların omuz hareketliliği, gövde rotasyon dengesi ve FMS toplam puanları son testte istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark gösterdiği, diğer alt testlerden alınan puanların ise anlamlı fark olmamasına rağmen geliştiği belirlenmiştir. Uygulanan core ve düzeltici egzersizlerin voleybolcularda fonksiyonel hareket kalıplarını geliştirdiği ve yaralanma potansiyelini azalttığı bulunmuştur. Voleybolda sporcuların yaralanma risklerini azaltmak ve fonksiyonel hareket kalıplarını geliştirmek için antrenman programlarına core ve düzeltici egzersizlerin de eklenmesi önerilebilir.