The Effects of an ad Hoc Stability Training Protocol on Improving Balance in Young Volleyball Players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.6.05Keywords:
motor control, performance, postural testingAbstract
Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a customized training regimen in enhancing balance among young volleyball athletes.
Materials and Methods. A total of 48 athletes (aged 14-16) from four volleyball teams participated, divided into Experimental (EG) and Control Groups (CG). Over six months, the EG adhered to a specialized protocol integrating balance exercises into warm-ups and post-training sessions, encompassing both static and dynamic exercises, while the CG followed a standard program. Balance assessments were conducted using the Leonardo Platform, with tests administered before and after implementing the protocol. Statistical analysis involved paired-samples and independent-samples T-tests to compare within-group changes and between-group differences.
Results. The results obtained revealed significant improvements in the EG, particularly evident in the TanEC test (P = .00001), indicating enhanced stability without visual reference. Marked advancements were also noted in single-limb stability tests (1L_EO, P = .0018; 1L_EC, P = .0258). Conversely, the TanEO test showed no substantial group differences (P = .107), suggesting minimal impact on stability under visual conditions.
Conclusions. These findings underscore the efficacy of tailored balance training in enhancing postural stability, motor coordination, and control among young volleyball players, advocating for the integration of targeted exercises in athletic training programs to optimize performance outcomes.
Downloads
References
Raiola, G., Esposito, G., Aliberti, S., & D’Elia, F. (2025). Effects on performance, perception and awareness of plyometric training in youth volleyball: A novel methodological approach to training. Applied Sciences,15(3), 1581 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031581
https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031581 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031581
D’Elia, F., D’Isanto, T., Altavilla, G., & Raiola, G. (2021). Evolution of explosive strength data in youth volleyball players before and after pandemic. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 21(4), 375-380. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2021.4.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2021.4.13
Altavilla, G., Esposito, G., Ceruso, R., Di Domenico, F., & D’Isanto, T. (2022). Profile and differences in anthropometric data and jumping ability performance between elite and amateur U16 volleyball players. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 22(2), 237-241. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2022.2.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2022.2.13
Liu, Y. (2022). Athletes’ reaction capacity in the performance during a volleyball competition. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 29, e2022_0375. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012022_0375 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012022_0375
Fuchs, P. X., Fusco, A., Cortis, C., & Wagner, H. (2020). Effects of differential jump training on balance performance in female volleyball players. Applied Sciences, 10(17), 5921. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10175921 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app10175921
Pau, M., Loi, A., & Pezzotta, M. C. (2012). Does sensorimotor training improve the static balance of young volleyball players?. Sports Biomechanics, 11(1), 97-107. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2011.637126 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2011.637126
Esposito, G., Altavilla, G., Di Domenico, F., Aliberti, S., D’Isanto, T., & D’Elia, F. (2021). Proprioceptive training to improve static and dynamic balance in elderly. International Journal of Statistics in Medical Research, 10, 194-199. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6029.2021.10.18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6029.2021.10.18
Hammami, R., Chaabene, H., Kharrat, F., Werfelli, H., Duncan, M., Rebai, H., & Granacher, U. (2021). Acute effects of different balance exercise types on selected measures of physical fitness in youth female volleyball players. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 13, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00249-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00249-5
Esposito, G., Altavilla, G., Giardullo, G., Ceruso, R., & D’Isanto, T. (2024). The effects of the use of plyometric exercises with and without the ball in the development of explosive strength in volleyball. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9(3), 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030126 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030126
Borzucka, D., Kręcisz, K., Rektor, Z., & Kuczyński, M. (2020). Postural control in top-level female volleyball players. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 12, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-020-00213-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-020-00213-9
Gerberich, S. G., Luhmann, S., Finke, C., Priest, J. D., & Beard, B. J. (1987). Analysis of severe injuries associated with volleyball activities. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 15(8), 75-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.1987.11702055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.1987.11702055
Cuñado-González, Á., Martín-Pintado-Zugasti, A., & Rodríguez-Fernández, Á. L. (2019). Prevalence and factors associated with injuries in elite Spanish volleyball. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 28(8), 796-802. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2018-0044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2018-0044
D’Isanto, T., Esposito, G., Ceruso, R., D’Elia, F., & Raiola, G. (2024). The role of the sports kinesiologist to prevent grade II ankle sprains in volleyball. European Journal of Human Movement, 53, 101-113. https://doi.org/10.21134/eurjhm.2024.53.10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21134/eurjhm.2024.53.10
Esposito, G., Ceruso, R., Aliberti, S., & Raiola, G. (2024). Ecological-dynamic approach vs. traditional prescriptive approach in improving technical skills of young soccer players. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9(3), 162. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030162 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030162
Hrysomallis, C. (2011). Balance ability and athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 41, 221-232. https://doi.org/10.2165/11538560-000000000-00000 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11538560-000000000-00000
Andreeva, A., Melnikov, A., Skvortsov, D., Akhmerova, K., Vavaev, A., Golov, A., Draugelite, V., Nikolaev, R., Chechelnickaia, S., Zhuk, D., Bayerbakh, A., Nikulin, V., & Zemková, E. (2021). Postural stability in athletes: The role of sport direction. Gait & Posture, 89, 120-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.07.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.07.005
Gioftsidou, A., Malliou, P., Pafis, G., Beneka, A., Tsapralis, K., & Godolias, G. (2012). Balance training programs for soccer injuries prevention. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 7(3), 639-647. https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.73.04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.73.04
Gribble, P. A., Hertel, J., & Plisky, P. (2012). Using the Star Excursion Balance Test to assess dynamic postural-control deficits and outcomes in lower extremity injury: A literature and systematic review. Journal of Athletic Training, 47(3), 339-357. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.3.08 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.3.08
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Juna Pogoni, Rosario Ceruso, Arben Kaçurri, Francesco Peluso Cassese, Giovanni Esposito

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

