Authors
Sydnei Mooring, Department of Kinesiology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
Harsh Buddhadev, Department of Kinesiology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
Mayrena I. Hernandez, Department of Kinesiology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
Jennifer A. Bunn, Department of Kinesiology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(1): 1009, 2026.
Abstract
Youth female volleyball athletes often compete year-round on varying surfaces—wood during high school and synthetic during club seasons—potentially affecting mechanical stress. This study compared landing impact and jump height on wood versus artificial flooring. Varsity athletes (n = 15) were monitored using validated wearable sensors to measure landing impact (G-force), stress percent, and jump height during training sessions that included a structured warmup and two-set scrimmage. By surface type there was a difference for G-force (p < 0.01), but no difference for stress percent (wood = 16.4 to 21.0%, p = 0.49), or average jump height (p = 0.96). Specifically, no difference was found for G-force during the warmup (wood = 3.8 ± 0.5, artificial 3.5 ± 0.5 m·s-2, p = 0.10) or set one (wood = 3.6 ± 0.6, artificial 3.3 ± 0.6 m·s-2, p = 0.05), but values during set two were higher on the wooden floor (wood = 4.2 ± 0.3, artificial 3.5 ± 0.4 m·s-2, p < 0.01). These results suggest synthetic flooring may reduce impact forces, particularly during prolonged play. Athletes appear capable of maintaining performance across surfaces, likely through biomechanical adaptation. Coaches and athletic trainers should consider surface type when managing athlete workload and recovery.