SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Turkish Journal of Kinesiology / 2026 / Volume: 12 Issue: 2

Understanding biomechanical demands during volleyball spike and block landings: A systematic review

Emine İlkcan Kurt Tuç(Department of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Türkiye)0000-0002-2641-3706
Elif Cengizel(Department of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye)0000-0001-5148-3821
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-05-01
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, it was observed that studies on landing mechanics in volleyball are predominantly focused on the landing phase following the block action.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Volleyball is a sports discipline that involves complex technical movements, where the phases of movement are closely related to kinematic parameters.
📊
Key Findings & Data:A systematic review was conducted using four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct) with the keywords “landing mechanics in volleyball,” “landing kinematics in volleyball,” “landing mechanics of spike technique in volleyball,” and “landing mechanics of block technique in volleyball.” As a result of the database screening, fourteen articles (n=14) were included in the study.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, it was observed that studies on landing mechanics in volleyball are predominantly focused on the landing phase following the block action.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Block landing · kinematics · kinetics

Abstract

Volleyball is a sports discipline that involves complex technical movements, where the phases of movement are closely related to kinematic parameters. Spike and block actions play a crucial role in determining match outcomes, as volleyball players perform numerous jumps and subsequent landings throughout a game. This review therefore aims to clarify the biomechanical insights derived from studies examining the kinetic and kinematic parameters during the landing phases of spike and block techniques, which are fundamental skills in volleyball. A systematic review was conducted using four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct) with the keywords “landing mechanics in volleyball,” “landing kinematics in volleyball,” “landing mechanics of spike technique in volleyball,” and “landing mechanics of block technique in volleyball.” As a result of the database screening, fourteen articles (n=14) were included in the study. In conclusion, it was observed that studies on landing mechanics in volleyball are predominantly focused on the landing phase following the block action. It was found that the most critical kinematic variables affecting landing mechanics are valgus-varus angles, joint angles, joint moments, range of motion, ground reaction force, muscle stiffness, and muscle strength. Additionally, the findings consistently indicated that female volleyball players have greater joint range of motion and higher knee valgus angles, which are associated with increased injury risk.

🔖

Cite This Article

Tuç, E. İ. K., Cengizel, E. (2026). Understanding biomechanical demands during volleyball spike and block landings: A systematic review. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, Volume: 12 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1838171

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (42)

  1. Afonso, J., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Lima, R. F., Laporta, L., Paulo, A., Castro, H. D. O., Costa, G. D. C. T., García-De-alcaraz, A., Araújo, R., Silva, A. F., Ardigò, L. P., & Clemente, F. M. (2021). Unilateral versus bilateral landing after spike jumps in male and female volleyball: A systematic review. Symmetry, 13(8), 1505–1525. doi: 10.3390/sym13081505
  2. Augustsson, S. R., Augustsson, J., Thomeé, R., & Svantesson, U. (2006). Injuries and preventive actions in elite Swedish volleyball. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 16(6), 433–440. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2005.00517.x
  3. Bathe, C., Fennen, L., Heering, T., Greif, A., & Dubbeldam, R. (2023). Training interventions to reduce the risk of injury to the lower extremity joints during landing movements in adult athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med, 9(2), e001508. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001508
  4. Borras, X., Baliıus, X., Drobnic, F., & Galilea, P. (2011). Vertical jump assesment on volleyball: A follow-up of three seasons of a high level volleyball team. J Strength Cond Res, 25(6), 1686–1694. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181db9f2e
  5. Chen, C., Zhong, J., Zhu, Z., Wang, Y., Huang, K., Yuan, H., Deng, M., & Shangguan, Y. (2025). Position-specific neuromuscular activation and biomechanical characterization of the snap jump in elite male volleyball players: a comparative study of outside and opposite hitters. J Mens Health, 21(6), 129–140. doi: 10.22514/jomh.2025.089
  6. De Bleecker, C., Vermeulen, S., Willems, T., Segers, V., Spanhove, V., Pataky, T., Roosen, P., Vanrenterghem, J., & De Ridder, R. (2024). How reliable are lower limb biomechanical evaluations during volleyball-specific jump-landing tasks?. Gait Posture, 113, 287–294. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.07.001
  7. Garcia, S., Delattre, N., Berton, E., Divrechy, G., & Rao, G. (2022). Comparison of landing kinematics and kinetics between experienced and novice volleyball players during block and spike jumps. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 14(1), 105. doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00496-0
  8. Goodwin, G. Susan., Luhmann, S., Finke, C., Priest, J. D., & Beard, B. J. (2016). Analysis of severe injuries associated with volleyball activities. Phys Sportsmed, 15(8), 75–79. doi: 10.1080/00913847.1987.11702055
  9. Hughes, G., & Watkins, J. (2008). Lower limb coordination and stiffness during landing from volleyball block jumps. Res Sports Med, 16(2), 138–154. doi: 10.1080/15438620802103999
  10. Hughes, G., Watkins, J., & Owen, N. (2008). Gender differences in lower limb frontal plane kinematics during landing. Sports Biomech, 7(3), 333–341. doi: 10.1080/14763140802233215
  11. Hughes, G., Watkins, J., & Owen, N. (2010a). Differences between the sexes in knee kinetics during landing from volleyball block jumps. Eur J Sport Sci, 10(1), 1–11. doi: 10.1080/17461390903108117
  12. Hughes, G., Watkins, J., & Owen, N. (2010b). The effects of opposition and gender on knee kinematics and ground reaction force during landing from volleyball block jumps. Res Q Exerc Sport, 81(4), 384–391. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2010.10599698
  13. Janssen, I., Sheppard, J. M., Dingley, A. A., Chapman, D. W., & Spratford, W. (2012). Lower extremity kinematics and kinetics when landing from unloaded and loaded jumps. J Appl Biomech, 28(6), 687–693. doi: 10.1123/jab.28.6.687
  14. Kurt, E. İ. (2024). Acute effect of foam rolling applied to different muscle groups in the lower extremity on the mechanics of spike and block landing in volleyball (Master’s thesis). Gazi University, Türkiye.
  15. Li, Z., Wang, J., & Yang, Y. (2021). Motion features of legs in volleyball block jump based on biomechanical analysis. Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, 18(2), 87–97. doi: 10.32604/MCB.2021.014731
  16. Linthorne, N. P. (2001). Analysis of standing vertical jumps using a force platform. American Journal of Physics, 69, 1198–1204. doi: 10.1119/1.1397460
  17. Lobietti, R., Coleman, S., Pizzichillo, E., & Merni, F. (2010). Landing techniques in volleyball. J Sports Sci, 28(13), 1469–1476. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2010.514278
  18. Makaruk, H., & Sacewicz, T. (2011). The effect of drop height and body mass on drop jump intensity. Biol Sport, 28(1), 63–67. doi: 10.5604/935873
  19. Marquez, W. Q., Masumura, M., & Ae, M. (2009). The effects of jumping distance on the landing mechanics after a volleyball spike. Sports Biomech, 8(2), 154–166. doi: 10.1080/14763140902994435
  20. Mercado-Palomino, E., Richards, J., Molina-Molina, A., Benítez, J. M., & Ureña Espa, A. (2020). Can kinematic and kinetic differences between planned and unplanned volleyball block jump-landings be associated with injury risk factors? Gait Posture, 79, 71–79. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.04.005
  21. Mikołajec, K., Nowak, B., Banyś, D., Krzysztofik, M., Skalski, D. T., Markiel, A., & Maszczyk, A. (2025). Factors determining sports results in elite national volleyball teams between 2004 and 2016. Biol Sport, 42(1), 145–150. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.139085
  22. Moher, D., Shamseer, L., Clarke, M., Ghersi, D., Liberati, A., Petticrew, M., Shekelle, P., Stewart, L. A., & PRISMA-P Group (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev, 4(1), 1. doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-4-1
  23. Molla, R. Y., Fatahi, A., Khezri, D., Ceylan, H. I., & Nobari, H. (2023). Relationship between impulse and kinetic variables during jumping and landing in volleyball players. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 24(1), 619. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06757-4
  24. Obara, K., Chiba, R., Takahashi, M., Matsuno, T., & Takakusaki, K. (2022). Knee dynamics during take-off and landing in spike jumps performed by volleyball players with patellar tendinopathy. J Phys Ther Sci, 34(2), 103–109. doi: 10.1589/jpts.34.103
  25. Öz, E. (2017). The kinematical analysis of volleyball spike tecnique according to spike directions (Doctoral dissertation). Gazi University, Türkiye.
  26. Parsons, J. L., & Alexander, M. J. (2012). Modifying spike jump landing biomechanics in female adolesant volleyball athletes using video and verbal feedback. J Strength Cond Res, 26(4), 1076–1084. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822e5876
  27. Rebelo, A., Pereira, J. R., Cunha, P., Coelho-e-Silva, M. J., & Valente-dos-Santos, J. (2024). Training stress, neuromuscular fatigue and well-being in volleyball: a systematic review. BMC Sports Sci Med, 16(1). doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00807-7
  28. Salci, Y., Kentel, B. B., Heycan, C., Akin, S., & Korkusuz, F. (2004). Comparison of landing maneuvers between male and female college volleyball players. Clin Biomech (Bristol), 19(6), 622–628. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2004.03.006
  29. Sarvestan, J., Svoboda, Z., & Linduška, P. (2020). Kinematic differences between successful and faulty spikes in young volleyball players. J Sports Sci, 38(20), 2314–2320. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1782008
  30. Sheppard, J. M., Cronin, J. B., Gabbett, T. J., McGuigan, M. R., Etxebarria, N., & Newton, R. U. (2008). Relative importance of strength, power, and anthropometric measures to jump performance of elite volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res, 22(3), 758–765. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31816a8440
  31. Taylor, J. B., Kantor, J. L., Hockenjos, T. J., Barnes, H. C., & Dischiavi, S. L. (2019). Jump load and landing patterns of collegiate female volleyball players during practice and competition. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 59(11), 1892–1896. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09650-6
  32. Tillman, M. D., Hass, C. J., Brunt, D., & Bennett, G. R. (2004). Jumping and landing techniques in elite women’s volleyball. J Sports Sci Med, 3(1), 30–36.
  33. Vermeulen, S., De Bleecker, C., Spanhove, V., Segers, V., Willems, T., Roosen, P., Vanrenterghem, J., & De Ridder, R. (2023). The effect of fatigue on spike jump biomechanics in view of patellar tendon loading in volleyball. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 33(11), 2208–2218. doi: 10.1111/sms.14458
  34. Wagner, H., Tilp, M., von Duvillard, S. P., & Müller, E. (2009). Kinematic analysis of volleyball spike jump. Int J Sports Med, 30(10), 760–765. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1224177
  35. Wang, P., Qin, Z., & Zhang, M. (2025). Association between pre-season lower limb interlimb asymmetry and non-contact lower limb injuries in elite male volleyball players. Sci Rep, 15(1), 14481. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98158-x
  36. Wang, Z., & Zhao, M. (2023). Analysis of volleyball players’ force generation during jump spike from the perspective of electromyographic characteristics. Acta Bioeng Biomech, 25(2), 147–155. doi: 10.37190/ABB-02298-2023-02
  37. Xu, D., Jiang, X., Cen, X., Baker, J. S., & Gu, Y. (2021). Single-leg landings following a volleyball spike may increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury more than landing on both-legs. Appl Sci, 11(1), 1–14. doi: 10.3390/app11010130
  38. Xu, D., Lu, J., Baker, J. S., Fekete, G., & Gu, Y. (2022). Temporal kinematic and kinetics differences throughout different landing ways following volleyball spike shots. P I Mech Eng P-J Spo, 236(3), 200–208. https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371211009485
  39. Zaheri, R. M., Majlesi, M., & Fatahi, A. (2024). Assessing the effects of fatigue on ground reaction force variations during landing after a spike in professional volleyball players. Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 10(1), 54–68. doi: 10.61186/JSportBiomech.10.1.54
  40. Zahradnik, D., Jandacka, D., Farana, R., Uchytil, J., & Hamill, J. (2017). Identification of types of landings after blocking in volleyball associated with risk of ACL injury. Eur J Sport Sci, 17(2), 241–248. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2016.1220626
  41. Zahradnik, D., Uchytil, J., Farana, R., & Jandacka, D. (2014). Ground reaction force and valgus knee loading during landing after a block in female volleyball players. J Hum Kinet, 40(1), 67–75. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2014-0008
  42. Zaki, B. B., Julia, M., Desmyttere, G., Perrey, S., & Dusfour, G. (2025). Altered landing strategy during vertical jump tasks in elite volleyball players with patellar tendinopathy. Phys Ther Sport, 74, 96–103. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.05.011