This study explored the performance of the Sitting Volleyball serve by
investigating the causal factors associated with ball velocity. Thirty-seven
athletes underwent anthropometry and strength assessment and performed ten
successful maximal effort serves. Ball velocity was measured using a sports
radar gun. The hip, shoulder, elbow and wrist angles at the instant of ball
impact as well as the height of ball impact were estimated through
two-dimensional motion analysis. The causal relationships between variables were
described through a linear Structural Equation Model and a Directed Acyclic
Graph. Results showed that a smaller hip angle determines a greater shoulder
angle, which in turn causes a greater elbow angle. A more open elbow angle
together with a greater vertical reach allowed for a greater height of ball
impact. Finally, increased height of ball impact along with greater abdominal
strength are beneficial for higher ball velocity. These results underlined that
the Sitting Volleyball serve is a multifactorial stroke involving
anthropometric, technical and strength factors and suggest that athletes should
improve their abdominal strength and master the technique necessary to perform
the serve with the shoulder and the elbow joints fully extended in order to
produce the greatest possible impact on the ball.
Key words
paralympic sport - kinematic analysis - physical impairment - structural equation model - direct acyclic graph