It was a case of gasps, grunts and groans -- as a grueling physical fitness test took place for players participating in the men’s volleyball competition of the 2nd Youth Games of the People's Republic of China at Shanxi University on Aug 6.

A total of 139 players from 12 teams took part in the relentless test -- including those from Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Zhejiang and Hebei provinces and Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing municipalities.

It was divided into five parts to test players’ speed, strength, endurance, flexibility and jumping abilities.

A pre-competition drill was also conducted at Shanxi University after the physical fitness test, in a bid to improve the qualities of competition services.

A volleyball player reaches for the sky, in a jump test at Shanxi University on Aug 6. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]