Training-induced changes in shoulder muscle mechanical properties in volleyball players

Maria Grzybek; Krzysztof Dudziński; Rafał Studnicki

doi:10.2478/bhk-2026-0016

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Training-induced changes in shoulder muscle mechanical properties in volleyball players

Biomedical Human Kinetics

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Maria Grzybek , Krzysztof Dudziński and Rafał Studnicki

Open Access

|May 2026

Abstract

Study aim

This pilot study aimed to quantify acute and short-term pre- to post-session changes in the mechanical properties of shoulder girdle muscles in volleyball players during an in-season preparatory mesocycle.

Material and methods

Eight male volleyball athletes competing at the national academic level underwent assessments once per week across a 3-week in-season preparatory mesocycle immediately preceding the Polish Academic Volleyball Championships. At each session, MyotonPRO was used to measure tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and elasticity (log. decrement, D) before and after standardized 120-min training. Upper-body explosive power was assessed via the seated medicine-ball throw. Week-specific pre–post comparisons were tested with paired t-tests (Cohen’s dz, 95% CI). Two-way repeated-measures ANOVAs examined Time (pre/post) × Week effects.

Results

Upper trapezius tone increased significantly post-training across all weeks (dz = 0.90–1.01, p < 0.05). Lower trapezius elasticity improved consistently (Δ = –0.13 to –0.17, dz ≈ –1.0, p < 0.05), while infraspinatus elasticity improved only in Week 3 (dz = –1.13, p = 0.015). Exploratory repeated-measures ANOVA also identified a Time effect for upper trapezius tone (F(1,7) = 12.1, p = 0.010, $η_{p}^{2}$ {\eta }_{\text{p}}^{2} = 0.634), although ANOVA-based effect sizes should be interpreted cautiously given the pilot sample.

Conclusions

Preliminary data suggest that selected shoulder stabilizers exhibited short-term pre- to post-session changes in tone and elasticity during the monitored in-season preparatory mesocycle. Given the pilot sample, these localized changes should be interpreted cautiously.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2026-0016 | Journal eISSN: 2080-2234

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Language: English

Page range: 171 - 182

Submitted on: Jan 9, 2026

Accepted on: Apr 8, 2026

Published on: May 16, 2026

Published by: University of Physical Education in Warsaw

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

Related subjects:

Basic medical science,

Basic medical science, other,

Clinical medicine,

Public health,

Sports and recreation,

Sports and recreation, other,

Physical education

© 2026 Maria Grzybek, Krzysztof Dudziński, Rafał Studnicki, published by University of Physical Education in Warsaw
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)