• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.671-680
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• 2009

We performed a study to obtain kinematic data on the characteristics of spike serving techniques used by volleyball players, including other basic data that will be useful for in-field applications. We used three-dimensional videography to compare good tough serves and serve errors. The subjects were 3 left attackers whose spike serves were videographed (60 fileds/s). The three-dimensional coordinates were calculated using the direct linear transformation method and then analyzed using the Kwon 3D software program version 3.1. There was no difference in time elapsed. However, the vertical displacement of the center of body mass(CM) differed between the 2 types of serves: in successful serves, the CM tended to be lower, as did the maximum ball height at the time of hitting. Further, the higher the level of the hitting hand was at the moment of impact, the higher was the likelihood of scoring points. In good serves, the players tended to accelerate their CM movement just before jumping to hit the ball and descend rapidly at the moment of hitting. The hand speed along with ball velocity during the impact was proven to be higher in successful serves. Moreover, in successful serves, the shoulder angles increased to a greater extent while the elbow angles were maintained constant. This possibly resulted in faster and more precise serves. An important observation was that the angle of trunk inclination during the jump did not increase with the swing of the shoulders, muscle tendon complex.