Correlation between isokinetic muscle strength, drop jump performance, dynamic balance, and injury risk in amateur male beach volleyball players

Abstract

​​In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding sports injuries, particularly in high-intensity disciplines such as beach volleyball. Key factors like muscle strength, jump performance, and balance play a critical role in both athletic performance and injury prevention. However, the relationship between these factors and injury risk in beach volleyball, especially among amateur players, remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the correlations between muscle strength, jump height, dynamic balance, and injury risk among male amateur beach volleyball players. Twenty-four injury-free participants from high-level amateur competitions were assessed using isokinetic strength testing, a drop jump test for jump height, the Y Balance Test for dynamic balance, and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). While no significant correlations were found between strength, balance, and injury risk, several tendencies emerged. The FMS highlighted issues with shoulder mobility and trunk stability, which may contribute to both performance limitations and increased injury risk. Additionally, the drop jump test revealed that higher muscle strength was associated with better jump performance, while the Y Balance Test indicated flexibility and strength imbalances in the non-dominant leg. These findings suggest that targeted interventions to improve shoulder mobility, trunk stability, and address imbalances could help reduce injury risk and optimize performance. Future research should involve larger sample sizes and explore alternative testing methods to further understand injury prevention and performance optimization in beach volleyball.​