The tests chosen for our client with a goal of playing recreational volleyball were focused on goals of improving speed, power and flexibility. Therefore, the Grip Strength Dynamometer, Beep and Vertical Jump Tests were chosen.

Grip Strength Dynamometer Test

The measure that we used to assess our client’s muscle strength was an isometric strength test using a handgrip dynamometer. This test measures muscle tension at a specific muscle length and is considered a reliable and valid method of testing muscular strength.

Procedure: Have the client hold the dynamometer in their right hand with their arm hanging at the side of their body, but not resting against the body. Once they are comfortable, have them breathe deeply and squeeze the dynamometer as hard as they can upon inhale. The arm must remain straight, without any joint movement. Their measurement should then be recorded in kg and then the test should be done again with the left hand. Have the client repeat the protocol once more with each hand and the maximum measurements for each hand are used in a combined score to achieve a strength rating.

Our client achieved 43 kg max with her right hand and 41 kg max with her left hand giving her a combined total of 83 kg. Her strength rating was “Excellent,” which means that her musculoskeletal fitness falls within a range that is generally associated with  optimal health benefits.

The Beep test

We chose this test for our client because it indicates cardiovascular fitness and can be used to assess speed as well. Volleyball requires endurance for lengthy sets and matches, but it is also important to be quick on your feet and to be able to endure short bursts of high intensity movement on certain plays. The beep test is easy to implement and require little equipment and set up. Necessary equipment includes: 20m measuring tape, marker cones, the beep test recording and CD player.

Procedure: Subjects run between two lines 20m apart trying to keep up with a set of pre-recorded bleeps on a CD. Roughly every minute the level changes (and the bleeps get closer together) and the running speed gets 0.5 km/h faster (start speed is 8.5 km/h).

The athlete tries to keep up with the recording getting as many levels and shuttles into the test as possible. If the athlete gets to the line before the beep, they must wait for the next beep to compete the next shuttle. Once the athlete is unable to reach the line (within 2m) before the beep, the test is terminated and their score is recorded and can be used with the following chart to identify fitness level.

Each score implies the test level and the number of shuttles completed successfully (e.g. 4/6 = level four and six shuttles completed).

For our client, the following scores indicate the appropriate level for comparison.

The last level that the client could complete was level 6/stage 9, at which point the test was concluded. This gives her a rating of  “Average,” which means that there is room for much improvement and will be addressed in the exercise program under her goal of gaining speed.

The Vertical Jump test

Explosive jumping is an important skill for a volleyball player and the higher you can jump, the better. The Vertical Jump Test is typically used to assess power, which can be defined as the amount of work produced per unit of time and is measured in Watts. This test will be used to assess our client’s jumping ability and will give us a baseline to work with in order to determine her goal of increased vertical jump.

Procedure:

We will be using CPAFLA protocol, which uses a Vertec vertical jump tester to take initial standing reach and final jump height. The client squats for several seconds before jumping and reaching as high as they can, pushing the metal vanes on the jump tester out of the way to determine the highest point reached. 3 trials are completed and the max differences are used to determine their rating. The Keir nomogram is used to calculate the wattage produced, based upon jump height and the mass of the participant.

Our client had a max vertical jump of 14.5 cm which rated as “Very Good” and produced 4000 Watts which is rated as “Excellent.” These results indicate that her fitness level falls safely within a range that is associated with considerable health benefits.