The objective of this study was to assess movement control abilities among college volleyball players, identify variations based on competition level, and analyze the impact of sex and LBP history on these differences.
This study employed a cross-sectional, matched case-control design involving forty-five college volleyball players (mean age: 20.18 ± 1.25 years), categorized by competition level (22 athletes from university-level teams and 23 athletes from department-level teams), sex (28 male and 17 female), and a history of LBP (13 players). The movement control assessment consisted of a series of single-joint and multi-joint coordination tests, performed under both high and low load conditions, aimed at evaluating the participants' ability to dissociate movements according to predefined criteria. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to analyze differences between groups.
Male players with higher competition level exhibited better motor control abilities compared to those at lower competition level in all tests, including single-joint tests and both low-load and high-load multi-joint coordination tests. Female players demonstrated no significant differences in movement control between competitive levels, except for one high-load multi-joint test. Players with a history of LBP displayed reduced movement control, particularly in multi-joint coordination tests under both load conditions. No significant differences were found in single-joint tests between players with and without LBP history.
This study highlights that competitive level and sex significantly influence movement control in volleyball players. Male athletes at higher levels showed superior motor control, suggesting that increased competition enhances movement coordination. In contrast, female players showed no notable differences across competition levels. Additionally, volleyball players with a history of LBP consistently showed diminished movement control, emphasizing the need to address LBP for improved athletic performance.
Injury prevention and rehabilitation programs for volleyball players should account for competitive level, sex, and history of LBP. Male players at higher levels may benefit from targeted motor control training to optimize performance and reduce LBP risk. Female players might require interventions tailored to address specific movement deficits. Volleyball players with a history of LBP may need specialized rehabilitation programs focusing on improving multi-joint coordination under load.
Low Back Pain
College Volleyball Players
