The relationship between power, speed and agility in youth volleyball players

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Published Jan 22, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i11.6149
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Vol. 103 No. 11 (2025): Tunis Med Nov 2025

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Karim Ben Ayed
High Institute of Sport and Physical Education. Kef. University of Jendouba, Tunisia
Mohamed Ali Hammami
High Institute of Sport and Physical Education. Kef. University of Jendouba, Tunisia
Imed Latiri
Heart Failure Research Laboratory (LR12SP09), Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
Helmi Ben Saad
Heart Failure Research Laboratory (LR12SP09), Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: In youth volleyball players, no previous study has investigated the relationships between the components of the force-velocity test (FVt) and those of the horizontal jump approach, speed test, and agility test.


Aim: To determine the relationships that exist between lower-body power measured via a laboratory test (i.e.; FVt) and some field tests [horizontal jump (i.e.; 5-jump test (5JT)), speed test (i.e.; 20-m sprint) and agility test (i.e.; changing of direction (CoD)] in youth volleyball players. Methods: Thirty-one youth volleyball players were investigated for CoD, 5JT, and absolute/relative peak leg power (Ppeak) during the FVt. Speeds (s) during a 20-m sprint were measured at 5, 10, and 20 m (T5, T10 and T20, respectively). 5JT performance was expressed in absolute terms (5JTA, m), and relative to leg length and body-mass. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was performed among the variables of the FVt, 20-m sprint, CoD, and 5JT tests. “r” was considered “high” when it was > 0.70, “good” when it was between 0.50-0.70, “fair” when it was between 0.30-0.50, and “weak or no association” when it was < 0.30.


Results: This study identified i) “high” correlations between FVtPpeak (W) and 20-m sprint [T5 (r=-0.858), T10 (r=-0.707), and T20 (r=-0.762)], and CoD (r=-0.745), ii) “good” correlations between FVtPpeak (W.kg) and 5JTA (r=0.531), and iii) “fair” correlations between FVtPpeak (W) and 5JTA (r=0.499), between FVtPpeak (W.kg-0.67) and 5JTA (r=0.489), and 20-m sprint [T5 (r=-0.370), T10 ...( abstract truncated at 250 words).

Keywords:

Agility, field-testing, leg power, muscle strength, speed, volleyball

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