Effect of a 4-month flywheel resistance training program on lower limb stability of male and female volleyball players

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Lower limb stability is critical for athletic performance, especially in sports that require quick movements, changes of direction, and high-impact activities like volleyball. Adequate lower limb stability not only improves sports performance but also aids in the prevention of lower extremity injuries. As a result, developing lower limb stability is critical for volleyball players who want to enhance their performance while minimizing their risk of injury. Aim The aim of the study consisted in investigating the effects of an alternative method for developing dynamic stability of the lower limbs by using a flywheel (isoinertial) training device. Material and method The study employed a randomized controlled trial design, with participants assigned to either an experimental group that underwent the flywheel resistance training program or a control group that performed the standard training intervention. Lower limb dynamic stability of the subjects was assessed using the Y Balance Test™. Composite reach distance index (CRD) has been calculated for both left (CRDL) and right (CRDR) legs. The intervention protocol consisted in 32 sessions using a flywheel training device. Results Regarding the female groups, the results for the right lower limb show that when removing the covariate effect (initial test values), the impact of the intervention on the final values was significant F=4.69, p=.042, η2=.18. In the case of the left lower limb, the intervention was again statistically significant F=12.3, p=.002, η2=0.37. In the case of the male groups right lower limb, controlling for initial values, there is a statistically significant effect of the intervention on the final dynamic stability values for the experimental group F=5.73, p=.03, η2=.21. The same was observed for the left lower limb CRD of the male experimental group F=8.53, p=0.008, η2=0.29. Conclusions The results of the covariation analysis showed a statistically significant lower limb stability improvement in the experimental groups compared to the control groups. This increase was recorded for both the right and left lower limbs of the male and female experimental groups.