Path analysis of arm muscle strength, leg power, and concentration on underhand passing performance in youth volleyball players

Authors

  • Wahid Adi Kusuma Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Umar Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Wilda Welis Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Yendrizal Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Ardo okilanda Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58524/jasme.v6i2.1265

Keywords:

Concentration, Junior Athlete, Muscle Strength, Power, Volleyball

Abstract

Background: Volleyball is one of the most popular sports and requires effective underhand passing skills to maintain ball control during gameplay. Underhand passing performance is influenced not only by physical factors such as arm muscle strength and leg power but also by psychological factors, particularly concentration. However, the passing ability of junior volleyball players remains relatively low.

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the effects of arm muscle strength, leg power, and concentration on underhand passing performance in youth volleyball players.

Method: This study employed a quantitative associative design using a path analysis approach. The participants consisted of 30 male volleyball players aged under 15 years selected through total sampling. Arm muscle strength was measured using a pull-up test, leg power using a vertical jump test, concentration using the Concentration Grid Test, and underhand passing performance using a standardized volleyball passing test.

Results: The findings showed that arm muscle strength contributed 16% to underhand passing performance, while leg power contributed 5.5%. Concentration also demonstrated a significant contribution to passing ability. Simultaneously, all variables showed a strong influence on underhand passing performance.

Conclusion: Physical and psychological factors significantly affect volleyball underhand passing performance. Future studies are recommended to involve broader samples and different competitive levels.

References

Akbar, A., Karim, Z. A., Syafitri, F. U., & Cahyani, F. I. (2025). Sports psychology perspectives on cognitive aspects in shaping the pathways of young football players in Indonesia and Malaysia. Retos, 66, 1194–1205. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v66.111634

Almeida, L., Dias, T., Corte-Real, N., Menezes, I., & Fonseca, A. (2025). Positive youth development through sport and physical education: A systematic review of empirical research conducted with grade 5 to 12 children and youth. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 30(3), 282–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2023.2230208

Altundag, E., Soylu, C., & Akyildiz, Z. (2024). Multidimensional analysis of serving speed in volleyball players by position, sets, and league types: Interactions and statistical differences. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16(1), Article 240. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01031-z

Astuti, Y., Erianti, E., Lawanis, H., Orhan, B. E., Ikhlas, A., & Govindasamy, K. (2025). Implementing technical training models to enhance basic volleyball skills in students. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, 63, 1075–1083. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v63.111190

Ayranci, M., & Aydin, M. K. (2025). The complex interplay between psychological factors and sports performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 20(8), Article e0330862. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0330862

Bari, M. A., Al Mijbilee, A. A. A., Nuhmani, S., Iqbal, A., & Alghadir, A. H. (2023). Analysis of the kinematic variables that predict jump serve efficacy among volleyball players. Medicine, 102(31), Article e34471. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000034471

Chen, C., Shi, P., Song, M., Kim, Y., & Lee, J. (2025). Relationship between offensive performance and symmetry of muscle function, and injury factors in elite volleyball players. Symmetry, 17(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17060956

Chen, W., Wang, X., Gu, X., & Chen, J. (2021). The impacts of coordinated-bilateral ball skills intervention on attention and concentration, and cardiorespiratory fitness among fourth-grade students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111634

Coutinho, P., Ribeiro, J., da Silva, S. M., Fonseca, A. M., & Mesquita, I. (2021). The influence of parents, coaches, and peers in the long-term development of highly skilled and less skilled volleyball players. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667542

Cui, J., Zhou, H., Chen, R., Li, D., Mai, W., Peng, W., & Long, Q. (2025). Improvement strategies of athlete’s concentration level based on visual attention model. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 20580. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06556-y

Curovic, I., Grecic, D., Rhodes, D., Alexander, J., & Harper, D. J. (2024). Potential importance of maximal upper body strength-generating qualities and upper body strength training for performance of high-intensity running and jumping actions: A scoping review. Sports, 12(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12120357

Dao, T. C. (2025). The effectiveness of a specialized strength training regimen in enhancing explosive power among male collegiate volleyball athletes. Trends in Sport Sciences, 32(3), 143. https://doi.org/10.23829/TSS.2025.32.3-1

de Arruda, D. G., Dai, B., Readdy, T., McCrea, S., & Zhu, Q. (2024). Sequential focus of attention instructions influenced motor performance of volleyball setting despite direction of focus but dependent on motor expertise of the player. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 22(1), 24–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2138495

Edmizal, E., Donie, D., Barlian, E., Welis, W., Sin, T. H., Umar, U., Padli, P., Ahmed, M., Haryanto, J., & Bhatnagar, P. (2025). Effect of psychological skills training on reaction time and strategic thinking in competitive badminton: A systematic review. Retos, 62, 439–453. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.110746

Esposito, G., Altavilla, G., Giardullo, G., Ceruso, R., & D’Isanto, T. (2024). The effects of the use of plyometric exercises with and without the ball in the development of explosive strength in volleyball. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030126

Farley, J. B., Stein, J., Keogh, J. W. L., Woods, C. T., & Milne, N. (2020). The relationship between physical fitness qualities and sport-specific technical skills in female, team-based ball players: A systematic review. Sports Medicine - Open, 6(1), Article 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00245-y

Fawver, B., Cowan, R. L., DeCouto, B. S., Lohse, K. R., Podlog, L., & Williams, A. M. (2020). Psychological characteristics, sport engagement, and performance in alpine skiers. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 47, Article 101616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101616

Fuchs, P. X., Fusco, A., Bell, J. W., Duvillard, S. P. von, Cortis, C., & Wagner, H. (2020). Effect of differential training on female volleyball spike-jump technique and performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0488

Gonçalves, C. A., Lopes, T. J. D., Nunes, C., Marinho, D. A., & Neiva, H. P. (2021). Neuromuscular jumping performance and upper-body horizontal power of volleyball players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(8), 2236. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003139

Gothe, N. P., Ehlers, D. K., Salerno, E. A., Fanning, J., Kramer, A. F., & McAuley, E. (2020). Physical activity, sleep and quality of life in older adults: Influence of physical, mental and social well-being. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 18(6), 797–808. https://doi.org/10.1080/15402002.2019.1690493

Guntur, G., Shahril, M. I., Suhadi, S., Kriswanto, E. S., & Nadzalan, A. M. (2022). The influence of jumping performance and coordination on the spike ability of young volleyball athletes. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 26(6), 374–380. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2022.0603

Guo, Y., Chen, C., Peng, J., Deng, L., & Yuan, T. (2025). Does visual training enhance athletes’ decision-making skills and sport-specific performance? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 35(10), Article e70140. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70140

Hanzlíková, I., Válová, K., Lehnert, M., Dvořáček, M., Doleželová, E., & Grinberg, A. (2025). The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players. Frontiers in Physiology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1622026

Hassan, M. F. A., & Abdulkareem, O. W. (2026). Effects of an integrated balance and muscle tension control training program on kinematic variables and defensive accuracy in volleyball players. Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 11(4), 438–464. https://doi.org/10.61882/JSportBiomech.11.4.438

Herbert, C. (2022). Enhancing mental health, well-being and active lifestyles of university students by means of physical activity and exercise research programs. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.849093

Ismael, A. T. (2024). Analysis of the relationship between certain biokinematic and goniometric variables of the linear smash with explosive force upwards, forwards, and in volleyball shooting. Ascarya: Journal of Islamic Science, Culture, and Social Studies, 4(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.53754/iscs.v4i1.667

Jariono, G., Nurhidayat, Sudarmanto, E., Nugroho, H., Maslikah, U., & Budiman, I. A. (2023). Basic volleyball technical skills for students: Validity and reliability. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 23(5), 747–753. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2023.5.13

Kitamura, K., Roschel, H., Loturco, I., Lamas, L., Tricoli, V., João, P. V., Fellingham, G., & Ugrinowitsch, C. (2020). Strength and power training improve skill performance in volleyball players. Motriz: Revista de Educação Física, 26, Article e10200034. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-65742020000110200034

Lachowicz, M., Żurek, A., Jamro, D., Serweta-Pawlik, A., & Żurek, G. (2024). Changes in concentration performance and alternating attention after short-term virtual reality training in E-athletes: A pilot study. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 8904. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59539-w

Leeuw, A.-W. de, Baar, R. van, Knobbe, A., & Zwaard, S. van der. (2022). Modeling match performance in elite volleyball players: Importance of jump load and strength training characteristics. Sensors, 22(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/s22207996

Li, Q., Fu, Q., Li, L., & Wang, J. (2026). Cognitive-coordination training: Impact on sport-specific physical fitness and technical skill of adolescent basketball athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1669608

Li, X., Wang, D., Gao, S., & Zhou, C. (2024). Impacts of kinematic information on action anticipation and the related neurophysiological associations in volleyball experts. Brain Sciences, 14(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14070647

Lin, G., Deng, B., Li, Y., Yan, R., Li, D., He, J., Zhang, X., & Sun, J. (2025). Less training, better improvement: Effects of velocity-based complex training on lower-limb maximal strength and explosive performance in highly trained volleyball athletes. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17(1), Article 312. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01364-3

Lindsay, C., Clark, B., Middleton, K., Crowther, R., & Spratford, W. (2022). How do athletes cause ball flight path deviation in high-performance interceptive ball sports? A systematic review. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 17(3), 683–698. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211047360

Liu, R., Menhas, R., & Saqib, Z. A. (2024). Does physical activity influence health behavior, mental health, and psychological resilience under the moderating role of quality of life? Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1349880

Lucia, S., Bianco, V., & Di Russo, F. (2023). Specific effect of a cognitive-motor dual-task training on sport performance and brain processing associated with decision-making in semi-elite basketball players. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 64, Article 102302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102302

Marquez, D. X., Aguiñaga, S., Vásquez, P. M., Conroy, D. E., Erickson, K. I., Hillman, C., Stillman, C. M., Ballard, R. M., Sheppard, B. B., Petruzzello, S. J., King, A. C., & Powell, K. E. (2020). A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10(5), 1098–1109. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibz198

Martin, Ș. A., Gavra, M. G., & Martin-Hadmaș, R. M. (2024). Analyzing targeted muscle strength: Impact on speed, endurance, and performance in female volleyball. Applied Sciences, 14(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/app142310951

Mercado-Palomino, E., Aragón-Royón, F., Richards, J., Benítez, J. M., & Ureña Espa, A. (2021). The influence of limb role, direction of movement and limb dominance on movement strategies during block jump-landings in volleyball. Scientific Reports, 11(1), Article 23668. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03106-0

Neumann, N. D., Van Yperen, N. W., Arens, C. R., Brauers, J. J., Lemmink, K. A. P. M., Emerencia, A. C., Meerhoff, L. A., Frencken, W. G. P., Brink, M. S., & Den Hartigh, R. J. R. (2025). How do psychological and physiological performance determinants interact within individual athletes? An analytical network approach. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 23(4), 672–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2024.2344108

Oliveira, L. dos S., Moura, T. B. M. A., Rodacki, A. L. F., Tilp, M., & Okazaki, V. H. A. (2020). A systematic review of volleyball spike kinematics: Implications for practice and research. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 15(2), 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954119899881

Oliver, A., McCarthy, P. J., & Burns, L. (2021). Teaching athletes to understand their attention is teaching them to concentrate. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 12(3), 196–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/21520704.2020.1838980

Ottoboni, G., Nicoletti, R., & Tessari, A. (2021). The effect of sport practice on enhanced cognitive processing of bodily indices: A study on volleyball players and their ability to predict hand gestures. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105384

Ozawa, Y., Yamada, H., Ozawa, S., Vogt, T., & Kanosue, K. (2025). Biomechanical analysis of distance adjustment in volleyball overhead pass. Sports Biomechanics, 24(2), 440–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2022.2125427

Palao, J. M., Ureña, A., Moreno, M. P., & Ortega-Toro, E. (2024). Effect of changes in the net height, court size, and serve limitations on technical-tactical, physical, and psychological aspects of U-14 female volleyball matches. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1341297

Pérez, M. Á., Urrejola-Contreras, G., Alvarez, B., Steilen, C., Latorre, A., & Torres-Banduc, M. A. (2024). Exploring the interplay between body mass index and passive muscle properties in relation to grip strength and jump performance in female university students. PeerJ, 12, Article e18430. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18430

Piechota, K., & Majorczyk, E. (2023). Decision-making time and neuromuscular coordination in youth and senior soccer goalkeepers. Sensors, 23(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/s23094483

Piñeiro-Cossio, J., Fernández-Martínez, A., Nuviala, A., & Pérez-Ordás, R. (2021). Psychological wellbeing in physical education and school sports: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030864

Purwanto, D., Murtono, T., Sardiman, S., & Arifyadi, A. (2025). Psychological and physiological integration in developing futsal passing skills among students. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 29(5), 475–481. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2025.0509

Ramasamy, Y., Usman, J., Razman, R., Wei, Y. M., Towler, H., & King, M. (2023). A systematic review of the biomechanical studies on shoulder kinematics in overhead sporting motions: Types of analysis and approaches. Applied Sciences, 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/app13169463

Rocliffe, P., Adamakis, M., O’Keeffe, B. T., Walsh, L., Bannon, A., Garcia-Gonzalez, L., Chambers, F., Stylianou, M., Sherwin, I., Mannix-McNamara, P., & MacDonncha, C. (2024). The impact of typical school provision of physical education, physical activity and sports on adolescent mental health and wellbeing: A systematic literature review. Adolescent Research Review, 9(2), 339–364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-023-00220-0

Schulte, S., Lukas, M., Bopp, J., Zschorlich, V., & Büsch, D. (2025). Relation between core strength, core stability, and athletic performance: A mediation analysis approach. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1669023

Shieh, S.-F., Lu, F. J. H., Gill, D. L., Yu, C.-H., Tseng, S.-P., & Savardelavar, M. (2023). Influence of mental energy on volleyball competition performance: A field test. PeerJ, 11, Article e15109. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15109

Shoval, S., & Barron, Y. (2021). A probabilistic approach to the analysis of a volleyball set performance. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 72(3), 714–725. https://doi.org/10.1080/01605682.2019.1700182

Suhadi, S., Guntur, G., Kriswanto, E. S., & Nopembri, S. (2023). Muscular endurance and strength as predominant factors on spike among young volleyball athletes. Retos, 50, 349–356. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v50.99647

Sushko, R. O., Oliinyk, I., Doroshenko, E., Melnyk, M., Tyshchenko, V., & Shamardin, V. (2021). Modern approaches to analysis of technical and tactical actions of skilled volleyball players. Teorìâ ta Metodika Fìzičnogo Vihovannâ, 21(3), 235–243. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2021.3.07

Trajković, N., Mitić, P. M., Barić, R., & Bogataj, Š. (2023). Editorial: Effects of physical activity on psychological well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1121976

Trajković, N., Sporiš, G., Krističević, T., & Bogataj, Š. (2020). Effects of small-sided recreational volleyball on health markers and physical fitness in middle-aged men. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093021

Trecroci, A., Duca, M., Cavaggioni, L., Rossi, A., Scurati, R., Longo, S., Merati, G., Alberti, G., & Formenti, D. (2021). Relationship between cognitive functions and sport-specific physical performance in youth volleyball players. Brain Sciences, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020227

Valayi, F., Bagherli, J., & Taheri, M. (2024). The impact of performance fatigue on visual perception, concentration, and reaction time in professional female volleyball players. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health, 7(2), 47. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.7.2.5

Villa-González, E., Faigenbaum, A. D., & López-Gil, J. F. (2024). Unveiling the relationship of physical literacy with muscular fitness and muscle-strengthening activities in adolescents: The EHDLA study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(1), Article e001919. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001919

Wang, J., Qin, Z., Zhang, Q., & Wang, J. (2025). Lower limb dynamic balance, strength, explosive power, agility, and injuries in volleyball players. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 20(1), Article 211. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05566-w

Wang, T., & Park, J. (2021). Design and implementation of intelligent sports training system for college students’ mental health education. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.634978

Wu, C.-H., Zhao, Y.-D., Yin, F.-Q., Yi, Y., Geng, L., & Xu, X. (2024). Mental fatigue and sports performance of athletes: Theoretical explanation, influencing factors, and intervention methods. Behavioral Sciences, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121125

Downloads

Published

2026-06-04