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Effect of a Combination of Whole-body

Vibration and Low Resistance Jump
Training on Neural Adaptation
ab ab ab c
Hsing-Kuo Wang , Chi-Pang Un , Kwan-Hwa Lin , En-Chung Chang ,
c d
Tzyy-Yuang Shiang & Sheng-Chu Su
a
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of
Medicine, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of
China
b
Center of Physical Therapy, National Taiwan University Hospital,
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
c
Department of Athletic Performance, National Taiwan Normal
University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
d
Department of Business Administration, Hwa Hsia Institute of
Technology, 111 Gong Jhuan Rd., Chung Ho, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic
of China
Published online: 21 Mar 2014.

To cite this article: Hsing-Kuo Wang, Chi-Pang Un, Kwan-Hwa Lin, En-Chung Chang, Tzyy-Yuang Shiang
& Sheng-Chu Su (2014) Effect of a Combination of Whole-body Vibration and Low Resistance Jump
Training on Neural Adaptation, Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 22:2, 161-171,
DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2014.881822

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 Research in Sports Medicine, 22:161–171, 2014
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 1543-8627 print/1543-8635 online
DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2014.881822

Effect of a Combination of Whole-body

Vibration and Low Resistance Jump Training on
Neural Adaptation

HSING-KUO WANG, CHI-PANG UN, and KWAN-HWA LIN

School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan
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University; Center of Physical Therapy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,
Republic of China

EN-CHUNG CHANG and TZYY-YUANG SHIANG

Department of Athletic Performance, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan,
Republic of China

SHENG-CHU SU
Department of Business Administration, Hwa Hsia Institute of Technology, 111 Gong Jhuan
Rd., Chung Ho, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

This study investigated and compared the effects of an eight-

week program of whole body vibration combined with counter-
movement jumping (WBV + CMJ) or counter-movement jumping
(CMJ) alone on players. Twenty-four men’s volleyball players of
league A or B were randomized to the WBV + CMJ or CMJ groups
(n = 12 and 12; mean [SD] age of 21.4 [2.2] and 21.7 [2.2] y;
height of 175.6 [4.6] and 177.6 [3.9] cm; and weight, 69.9 [12.8]
and 70.5 [10.7] kg, respectively). The pre- and post-training
values of the following measurements were compared: H-reflex,
first volitional (V)-wave, rate of electromyography rise (RER) in
the triceps surae and absolute rate of force development (RFD) in
plantarflexion and vertical jump height. After training, the
WBV + CMJ group exhibited increases in H reflexes (p = 0.029
and <0.001); V-wave (p < 0.001); RER (p = 0.003 and <0.001);
jump height (p < 0.001); and RFD (p = 0.006 and <0.001). The
post-training values of V wave (p = 0.006) and RFD at 0–50

Received 26 June 2013; accepted 24 September 2013.

Address correspondence to Tzyy-Yuang Shiang, Department of Athletic Performance,
National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Ting-Zhou Rd., Section 4, Taipei City 116,
Taiwan, Republic of China. Email: tyshiang@gmail.com

161
 162 H.-K. Wang et al.

(p = 0.009) and 0–200 ms (p = 0.008) in the WBV + CMJ group

were greater than those in the CMJ group. This study shows that a
combination of WBV and power exercise could impact neural
adaptation and leads to greater fast force capacity than power
exercise alone in male players.

KEYWORDS power training, neural physiological phenomena,

biomechanics

INTRODUCTION
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Whole-body vibration (WBV) training involves the application of indirect

mechanical oscillation to muscles or tendons through a vibrating platform
(Bosco et al., 1999; Colson, Pensini, Espinosa, Garrandes, & Legros, 2010;
Delecluse, Roelants, & Verschueren, 2003). Studies have suggested that neu-
romuscular adaptations caused by WBV training entail changes in the aug-
mentation of fast force capacity or maximal joint torque, and reduce
pre-synaptic inhibition in healthy subjects (Delecluse et al., 2003; Hong,
Kipp, Johnson, & Hoffman, 2010); however, the effects of WBV training
have also been shown to be inconsistent in regularly trained athletes (Bosco
et al., 1999; Delecluse, Roelants, Diels, Koninckx, & Verschueren, 2005).
Therefore, a combination of WBV training with other exercises has been
recommended to augment training effects in regular trained athletes (de
Ruiter, van der linden, van der Zijden, Hollander, & de Haan, 2003; Lamont
et al., 2010; Preatoni et al., 2012; Ritzmann, Kramer, Gruber, Gollhofer, &
Taube, 2010). Research on this combined WBV training has demonstrated that
exercises performed on a vibration platform tend to have effects that are
superior to those of exercises not performed on such a platform (Rønnestad,
2004). This may be because (1) long-term WBV training elicits the tonic
vibration reflexes and stretch reflexes that improve force capacities
(Cochrane, Stannard, Firth, & Rittweger, 2010; Ritzmann et al., 2010; Roll,
Vedel, & Ribot, 1989); and (2) the benefits of WBV training in high-level
athletes are only evident when vibration is superimposed on a high level of
muscle activation (Preatoni et al., 2012). However, more neuromechanical
evidence regarding neural adaptations to combined WBV training is required
to clarify if, in regularly trained athletes, the combination of WBV and dynamic
power training is superior to power training used in isolation.
Light-resistance power training involving counter-movement jumps is
reported to increase jump performance in basketball players via neuromus-
cular potentiation (Khlifa et al., 2010). In addition, muscle activation during
explosive movements is more effective than maximal contractions (Strojnik,
1995). These findings suggest a hypothesis that the benefits of combined WBV
training can be achieved when WBV training is superimposed on a jumping
 Whole-body Vibration and Low Resistance Jump Training 163

exercise involving a high level of muscle activation but a low level of resis-
tance. A reduced intrinsic pre-synaptic inhibition has also been observed after
4 weeks of WBV training (Hong et al., 2010), but not for the H-reflex (Hopkins
et al., 2009). However, the effects of long-term WBV training on spinal reflex
excitability have not been fully assessed. The V-wave in the soleus muscle is a
variant of the H-reflex that represents excitability summation of the neural
drive in the descending corticospinal and/or extrapyramidal pathways and/or
neural mechanisms occurring at the spinal level of large and small motoneur-
ons (Gondin, Duclay, & Martin, 2006). In addition, the rate of electromyogra-
phy (EMG) rise (RER) is used to represent activation strategies of the nervous
system to rapidly activate limb muscles (Aagaard, Simonsen, Andersen,
Magnusson, & Dyhre-Poulsen, 2002). Nevertheless, such EMG measurements
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with high reliabilities (Un et al., 2013) reflect activation changes in individual
muscles measurements have not been fully utilized in previous WBV studies.
In this study, we investigated and compared the effects of an eight-week
program of WBV combined with low-resistance counter movement jumping
(WBV + CMJ) versus an eight-week program of low-resistance counter move-
ment jumping (CMJ), which was not performed on a vibration platform. The
aim of the present study was to test whether the aforementioned dynamic
power training exercises performed with WBV lead to significant adaptations
in terms of neural adaptations, fast force capacity or explosive performance. In
addition, whether the combination of WBV and CMJ training is superior to
CMJ training alone in volleyball players is investigated.

METHOD

The study protocol was approved by the medical ethics committee of

National Taiwan University Hospital (Reference No: 201009070R). Written
informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation.
We recruited college students undergoing regular volleyball training (>10 h/
week) for league A or B for >4 years at two university centers. The exclusion
criteria were history of knee, leg, or ankle pain for which medical help was
sought during the past year or history of injury or disease capable of inter-
fering with electrophysiological evaluations. In addition, participants who
missed more than one training session or were absent from the test sessions
during the eight-week study period were excluded. The participants were
recruited during the 2012 off-season and tested in two sessions, the first
occurring one week before commencement of the training and the second
occurring immediately after the training period. No regular or intensive
volleyball training was given to these participants during the research.
After the pre-training assessment, 24 participants were randomly assigned
to a group with both WBV and low resistance counter movement jumping
(WBV + CMJ group), or a group of low resistance counter movement
 164 H.-K. Wang et al.

jumping (CMJ group) (n = 12 and 12; mean [SD] age of 21.4 [2.2] and 21.7
[2.2] y; height of 175.6 [4.6] and 177.6 [3.9] cm; and weight, 69.9 [12.8] and
70.5 [10.7] kg, respectively). Each of the 24 participants wore a weighted vest
(Alex Athletics, Essen, Germany) weighing 10% of the participant’s body
mass (Khlifa et al., 2010) and underwent 24 supervised training sessions,
specifically, three sessions per week for eight weeks. In the WBV + CMJ
group, the training was performed on a synchronous vibrating platform (TVR
5400 Magtonic, Tonic Fitness Technology Inc., Tainan, Taiwan); the vibra-
tion had a frequency of 40 Hz and amplitude of 4 mm. Each training session
comprised 20 sets of vibration (with a duration of 30 s for each set) at
intervals equal to the duration of the vibration. In addition, participants in
the WBV + CMJ group were required to jump six times for each vibration set
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meaning that the participants had five seconds to complete each jump.
Acting as controls for the WBV + CMJ group, participants in the CMJ only
group performed the same protocol for the counter-movement jumps but on
a non-vibrating platform.
Myoelectrical measurements of the triceps surae were made using three
pairs of TSD150B active-surface EMG-recording electrodes connected to the
HLT-100C interface of the MP100 system (Biopac, Santa Barbara, CA) on the
right leg, which was dominant (that is, the leg the participant would use to
kick a ball) for all participants. Each participant lay prone on an examination
bed, with the ankles hanging over the edge and the lower back and knees
secured by straps, as described previously (Duclay & Martin, 2005; Wang
et al., 2011). Signals were amplified (stainless steel disk diameter, 11.4 mm;
disc spacing, 20 mm; impedance = 100 MΩ; gain = 350), band-pass filtered
from 10–500 Hz, and sampled at 1000 Hz with a common-mode rejection ratio
of 95 dB. A 60 Hz notch filter was used to eliminate background noise.
Electrodes were placed almost parallel to the muscle fibers of the triceps
surae, with the reference electrode placed on the lateral malleolus of the left
ankle (Duclay & Martin, 2005; Gondin et al., 2006; Wang et al., 2011). The skin
was prepared prior to application of the surface electrodes, and a portable
electromyography instrument (Seirra II, Cadwell, Kennewick, WA, USA) was
used to ensure that the inter-electrode resistance was less than 5 kΩ.
To measure the spinal reflex, the posterior tibial nerve was stimulated using
an electrical stimulator (Digitimer Stimulator DS7AH; Digitimer Ltd, Hertfordshire,
UK), with a cathode (diameter: 0.5 cm) and the anode (10 × 5 cm) placed at the
popliteal fossa and anterior surface (suprapatellar) of the knee, respectively. A
series of submaximal electrical stimulations (increments of 0.5 mA from 4 mA;
duration: 1 ms, waveform: rectangular) of 5.0–12.5 mA at intervals of 10 s were
applied to determine the maximal peak-to-peak amplitude of the H-reflex (Hmax)
of the soleus muscle at rest. Similarly, stimulations at increments of 2 mA and
intervals of 10 s were applied, as described previously (Duclay & Martin, 2005; Un
et al., 2013), to obtain the values of the maximal M-wave amplitudes (Mmax) of the
triceps surae.
 Whole-body Vibration and Low Resistance Jump Training 165

Ten minutes after the above tests, the participants were instructed to
contract their calf muscles ‘as fast and as forcefully as possible’ and maintain
their maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in plantar flexion for 5 s,
followed by a 2-min rest between each trial. During each MVIC, the stimula-
tion intensity required to obtain Hmax at rest was applied, as described pre-
viously (Un et al., 2013), to record the superimposed H-reflex (Hsup) for the
soleus muscle and the M-wave at Hsup (MHsup) (Duclay & Martin, 2005;
Gondin et al., 2006; Un et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2011).
Another 10 min after the stimulus, the current (75–120 mA) was 50%
greater than that at Mmax applied. The participants were asked to perform 5 s
of plantar flexion MVIC as described above. A superimposed supramaximal
intensity stimulation was applied, as described previously (Un et al., 2013), to
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record the V-wave for the soleus and the superimposed supramaximal M-
wave (Msup) for the triceps surae (Gondin et al., 2006). All H-reflex variables
were normalized to their corresponding M-wave amplitudes (i.e., Hmax/Mmax,
Hsup/MHsup, and V/Msup) (Un et al., 2013).
Participants were asked to rest for ten minutes after end of the spinal
reflex tests, and then instructed to take several maximum jumps from an erect
standing position and a counter-movement before the jump. The vertical jump
height was measured using Vertec Vertical-Jump Tester (Power Systems, Inc.,
Knoxville, TN, USA) as described previously (Wu et al., 2010).
During offline analysis, the EMG signals were digitally high-pass filtered
using a fourth-order, zero-lag Butterworth filter (cut-off frequency, 20 Hz) and
then a moving root mean square filter, with a time constant of 50 ms (Aagaard
et al., 2002) by using the MATLAB 7.1 software (MathWorks, Natick,
Massachusetts, USA). The onset of EMG integration was set 30 ms prior to
the onset of torque (Gruber & Gollhofer, 2004; Wu et al., 2010). The surface
EMG parameters, normalized mean RER (the slope of DEMG/Dtime) at 0–75
ms of the triceps surae defined from the onset of EMG integration (Aagaard
et al., 2002), were normalized by the Msup during MVIC (Gondin et al., 2006).
The load-cell signal was filtered by a digital fourth-order, zero-lag recursive
Butterworth low-pass filter, with a cut-off frequency of 50 Hz (Gruber &
Gollhofer, 2004). Subsequently, the load-cell force signal was converted to
Newtons (Gruber & Gollhofer, 2004). Onsets of voluntary contraction were
determined when torques exceeded 7.5 Nm (Aagaard et al., 2002). The
absolute RFD was therefore derived as the average slope of the torque–time
curve (Dtorque/Dtime) at 0–30, 0–50, 0–100, and 0–200 ms.
Data were averaged over at least three trials. Differences between the
means of the variables between pre- and post-training (time) and between the
two groups (group) were analyzed by the two-way repeated measure
ANOVA. Significant differences were determined using the Bonferroni post-
hoc analysis with a modified alpha level (p < 0.011). Data were analyzed using
the SPSS 16.0 software, (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) with the alpha level set at 0.05.
 166 H.-K. Wang et al.

RESULTS

No participant was excluded from the study because they did not meet the
inclusion criteria. Intergroup comparison revealed that the two groups did
not differ significantly in demographic characteristics and pre-training mea-
surements. After training, the WBV + CMJ group showed increases in the
normalized Hmax (F = 4.201, p = 0.029), Hsup reflexes (F = 6.947, p < 0.001),
V-wave (V/Msup) (F = 7.109, p < 0.001; Figure 1(A)), and RER at 0–7 ms in
the soleus (F = 6.323, p = 0.003), gastrocnemius medialis (F = 6.440,
p = 0.003), and gastrocnemius lateralis (F = 8.214, p < 0.001) (Figure 1(B)).
Additionally, the post-training values of MVIC torque (F = 9.021, p < 0.001),
jump height (F = 7.659, p < 0.001) and absolute RFD at 0–30 ms (F = 5.638,
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p = 0.006), 0–50 ms (F = 7.391, p < 0.001), 0–100 ms (F = 10.061, p < 0.001),

and 0–200 ms (F = 8.720, p < 0.001; Figures 2(A) and (B)) in the WBV + CMJ
group were significantly higher than the corresponding pre-training values.
Furthermore, the CMJ group exhibited significant increases in the normalized
Hmax (p = 0.007), Hsup reflexes (p = 0.009), and RER at 0–75 ms in the soleus
(p = 0.002) and gastrocnemius lateralis (p = 0.003; Figure 1(B)). In addition, this
group showed post-training improvement in the torque of MVIC (p = 0.0015),
jump height (p = 0.013) and absolute RFD at 0–30 (p = 0.038) and 0–50 ms
(p = 0.010; Figures 2(A) and (B)). The post-training values of V wave
(F = 5.906, p = 0.006) and of RFD at 0–50 ms (F = 5.890, p = 0.009) and
0–200 ms (F = 5.891, p = 0.008) in the WBV + CMJ group were greater than
those in the CMJ alone group (Figure 2(B)).

DISCUSSION

This study investigated and compared the effects of an eight-week program of

WBV combined with low resistance CMJ and low resistance CMJ alone on
Normalized rate of EMG rise (mV/s)mV

1.2 1.2
Spinal reflex mV/mV

1 1

0.8 CMJ 0.8

WVB+CMJ
0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2

0 0
Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post
Hmax/Mmax Hsup/MHsup V/Msup Soleous Gastrocnemius medialis Gastrocnemius lateralis
A B

FIGURE 1 Comparisons regarding evoked spinal reflex (A) and normalized rate of electromyo-
graphy rise (B) for the triceps surae muscles between pre- and post-training values and between
two groups of volleyball players; CMJ group (white bar) and WVB + CMJ group (black bar).
*Significant difference between pre- and post-values. † Significant difference between two groups.
 Whole-body Vibration and Low Resistance Jump Training 167
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FIGURE 2 Comparisons regarding torques of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction

(MVIC), jump height (A) and rate of force development (RFD) (B) between pre- and post-
training values and between two groups of volleyball players; CMJ group (white bar) and WVB
+ CMJ group (black bar). *Significant difference between pre- and post-values. † Significant
difference between two groups.

volleyball players. After both forms of training, we observed an increase in the

amplitudes of the evoked spinal reflexes (H reflex or V wave). Results of the
increased soleus H reflex tests, including Hmax and Hsup (+15.3 and +24.7.6%
respectively), in the CMJ training group indicated there are increases in the
‘net spinal excitability’ of small motoneurons at rest or during activation
(Aagaard et al., 2002). Nevertheless, the increased V-wave (+62.1%) and
Hmax and Hsup reflexes (+15.1 and +37.6%) of the soleus by the WBV + CMJ
training demonstrated that there is enhanced neural drive in the descending
corticospinal pathways, elevated net excitability of both large and small
 168 H.-K. Wang et al.

motoneurons, and/or alterations in presynaptic inhibition during voluntary

activation (Aagaard et al., 2002). The extent of V-wave and Hmax changes
(+62.1 and +15.1%) following WBV + CMJ training in volleyball players was
similar to that achieved through electrical-stimulation training on subjects who
have never previously participated in systematic resistance training (+55% and
+19%) (Aagaard et al., 2002). These findings suggested that WBV + CMJ and
electrical-stimulation training induced adaptations in the central motoneurons
at the supraspinal center, alpha-motoneurons at the spinal cord, or neuro-
muscular junctions (Aagaard et al., 2002). These may imply that both training
methods involve neural adaptation at the supraspinal level. Our findings also
show that post-training values of V wave in the WBV + CMJ group were
greater than those in the CMJ group. These indicate that, when compared with
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the CMJ alone, WBV superimposed on explosive movements with high mus-
cle activation further augments a descending neural drive. Further studies with
different types of dynamic power exercises used in combination with WBV
are suggested to analyze the effects of this combination on neuromuscular
potentiation in athletes.
We also found that the WBV + CMJ and CMJ groups showed greater
normalized RER in the calf muscles and greater absolute RFD during the early
stage of force development after the training (Figure 1(B)). The increases of
normalized RER following WBV + CMJ and CMJ training in the soleus (+31.2%
and 28.8% respectively), gastrocnemius medialis (+54.1% and 18.2%), and
gastrocnemius lateralis (+42.3% and 32.8%) were first reported in a study
investigating the long-term effect of training. Our results of RER indicated
that the abilities of the central nervous system to activate and recruit motor
units of the calf muscles rapidly were significantly increased after the WBV +
CMJ or CMJ power training. Early recruitment, increases of the firing frequency
and greater motor unit synchronization of the calf muscle motor units are
possible activation strategies acquired from the training (Aagaard et al., 2002).
Our results illustrate that the combination of WBV and power exercises or
power exercise alone can potentiate rapid activation of the calf muscle and
improve fast force capacity in plantar flexion, suggesting that it induces
neuromechanical adaptation in the lower leg muscles. These increases in
absolute RFD after the WBV + CMJ (RFD at 0–30 ms: +28.3%; 0–50 ms:
+38.5%; 0–100 ms: +41.7% and 0–200 ms: +33.4%) are close to that after
four-week WBV training (34%) (Homg et al., 2010), however, they are slightly
lower in the CMJ training group (RFD at 0–30 ms: +23.3% and 0–50 ms:
+26.4%). Findings similar to the increases of RFD found in this study were
also reported in previous research involving WBV or power training
(Cochrane et al., 2010; Khlifa et al., 2010; Lamont et al., 2010). Research has
shown that significant benefits in terms of RFD can be achieved in recreation-
ally resistance-trained men by adding WBV prior to and between sets of squat
training in a short-term resistance training protocol (Lamont et al., 2010), and
those earlier findings are consistent with those of the present study. In
 Whole-body Vibration and Low Resistance Jump Training 169

addition, our results indicated, participants in the WBV + CMJ group show
significantly greater increases in absolute RFD at 0–50 and 0–200 ms than the
participants in the CMJ alone group. This finding demonstrated that combina-
tion of WBV training with other power exercises is sufficient to bring addi-
tional enhancements of fast force capacity in athletes undergoing years of
regular sports training.
Our results showed there are augmentations of MVIC (+28.1 and +17.8%
respectively) or in jump heights (+6.7 and +4.6 %) after the WBV + CMJ and CMJ
power training. They are similar to reports in female subjects after 12-week
WBV training (Delecluse, Roelants, & Verschueren, 2003) and male college
athletes after eight-week WBV training (Cheng et al., 2012). These findings
indicated there are increases of maximal or explosive muscle contraction after
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the training. Studies have also reported similar improvements in torques of the
MVIC or in countermovement vertical jump heights following acute WBV in
female elite field hockey players (Cochrane & Stannard, 2005) and plyometric
training in college tennis players (Wu et al., 2010). Nevertheless, our results
regarding jump height and MVIC torque indicate that WBV training with power
exercises did not provide extra enhancements in volleyball players, when
compared with the CMJ alone group. A study has also shown that WBV alone
or in combination with low-intensity resistance exercise did not seem to induce
significant enhancements in MVIC torque or jump height when compared with
conventional strength training in national-level female athletes (Preatoni et al.,
2012). The consistency of these findings across previous studies and the current
study suggests that the combination of low-resistance exercise with WBV
cannot function as an effective substitute for some aspect of conventional
strength training in young and well trained athletes. In this study, we see the
need for more studies to further differentiate the effects of WBV training
combined with various modified dynamic components on the general popula-
tion. We also recommend our training protocol of WBV + CMJ to maximize
lower extremity performance in athletes during the offseason or preparatory
period. The methods in this study could also be used to study rehabilitation
outcomes after Achilles tendon ailments. Research limitations include the fact
that control groups subjected to WBV alone, or subjected to without any WBV
or low resistance CMJ training were not evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This study observed that a combination of WBV and dynamic training with
additional training loads in the off-season period of volleyball induces neural
adaptations, including increased descending neural drives and rapid muscle
activation, in volleyball players and augments fast force capacity. In addition,
the WBV + CMJ combination was superior to CMJ alone in terms of promoting
greater descending neural drive and greater rapid-force capacity. Differences
 170 H.-K. Wang et al.

in evoked spinal reflexes and rapid muscle activation could indicate acquired
neuromechanical adaptations in men’s volleyball players as a result of the two
different types of training (WBV + CMJ and CMJ alone). Neuromechanical
measurements, such as V-wave, RER and RFD, can be used to assess training-
induced temporal changes.

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