Rethinking Volleyball Skill Evaluation through Wearable Physical Technologies

Abstract

 Volleyball requires complex technical coordination and high physical intensity, and its skill assessment faces ongoing challenges. With the rapid development of wearable sensing technology, the assessment of sports performance is increasingly shifting from traditional experience-based observation to quantifiable physical measurement. This study critically explores the impact of this shift by analyzing two representative cases: an AI-assisted IMU-based jump detection system and a self-powered PVDF sensor for spike monitoring. The results show that wearable devices improve the objectivity, efficiency, and accuracy of sports performance assessment by real-time monitoring of physical indicators such as acceleration and impact force. However, existing technologies are still insufficient in capturing the cognitive, affective, and situational dimensions of sports skills. Therefore, skill judgment based on human perception remains irreplaceable. This paper proposes a complementary integration of data-driven and coach-driven approaches, and wearable technology should be used as a tool to assist rather than replace the judgment of professional sports coaches. The limitations of this study are its focus on specific skill types and the lack of athlete-centered empirical validation. Future research should develop multimodal, context-aware perception systems and explore their integration into a human-centered coaching framework.