Performance In Handball Players Research Articles

Effects of short-term resistance training and tapering on maximal strength, peak power, throwing ball velocity, and sprint performance in handball players.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of short-term resistance training and two weeks of tapering on physical performances in handball players. Following a ten-week progressive resistance training program, subjects were divided between an experimental (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). The experimental group completed a resistance training program, followed by a two-week period when the training intensity was tapered by 60%, while the control group maintained their typical pattern of training. Muscle power (force–velocity test and squat and counter-movement jump tests), sprinting ability (10m and 30m), ability to change direction (T-half test) and throwing velocity (a 3-step throw with a run, and a jump throw) were evaluated before training, at the end of training and after tapering. The experimental group showed significantly larger interaction effects for the 10-week training period (12/15, 80%), than for the following 2 weeks of tapering (10/15, 67%), with the largest gains being in 15 m sprint times (d = 3.78) and maximal muscular strength in the snatch (d = 3.48). Although the performance of the experimental group generally continued to increase over tapering, the mean effect size for the training period was markedly higher (d = 1.92, range: 0.95–3.78) than that seen during tapering (d = 1.02, range: -0.17–2.09). Nevertheless the ten weeks of progressive resistance training followed by two weeks of tapering was an effective overall tactic to increase muscle power, sprint performance and ball throwing velocity in handball players.

Effects of In-Season Circuit Training on Physical Abilities in Male Handball Players.

Hermassi, S, Wollny, R, Schwesig, R, Shephard, RJ, and Chelly, MS. Effects of in-season circuit training on physical abilities in male handball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(4): 944-957, 2019-This study analyzed the effects of a resistance-type circuit training (RCT) program (30-35 minutes, performed twice a week for 10 weeks) on male handball players. Twenty-two male players were divided into experimental (E; age 20.3 ± 0.5 years) and control groups (C; age 20.1 ± 0.5 years). Measures before and after RCT included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of bench press, pull-over and back half-squats, throwing velocity (a 3-step running throw [RT], and a jump throw [JT]), repeated-sprint ability (six 2 × 15-m shuttle sprints with recording of best time for a single trial), anthropometric estimates of leg- and thigh-muscle volumes and mean thigh cross-sectional area (CSA), and a test of agility. The agility T-half test showed a significant interaction effect (p = 0.001; η = 0.422), with an intergroup difference in effect size (d) of 1.27 (dTG = 1.24 vs. dCG = -0.03). The SJ displayed no interaction effect. The interaction effects for half back squat (d = 2.73, η = 0.740) and CMJ (d = 3.76, η = 0.700) were large, but that for RT was smaller (η = 0.460) than that for JT (η = 0.745). The throwing velocity of C decreased for both measures, with negative effect sizes (d = -0.18 and d = -0.93, respectively). Upper-body, leg, and thigh-muscle volumes and thigh CSA increased significantly after resistance training. However, repeated-sprint parameters showed no significant changes. During the competitive season, 10 weeks of RCT with only 2 training sessions per week improved numerous measures of athletic performance in handball players, and such conditioning can be highly recommended as part of the annual training program for elite handball players.

Stretching the Posterior Capsule of the Shoulder in the Stability and the Throwing Performance in Handball Players

Stretching the Posterior Capsule of the Shoulder in the Stability and the Throwing Performance in Handball Players

Photobiomodulation With Infrared Light-emitting Diode (LED) in Different Doses on Performance in Handball Players

Photobiomodulation With Infrared Light-emitting Diode (LED) in Different Doses on Performance in Handball Players

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training With Different Interval Durations on Physical Performance in Handball Players.

Viaño-Santasmarinas, J, Rey, E, Carballeira, S, and Padrón-Cabo, A. Effects of high-intensity interval training with different interval durations on physical performance in handball players. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3398-3406, 2018-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 2 high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols with different interval durations (short [SI] vs. long [LI]) based on peak running velocity in 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT) in handball players. Eighteen highly-trained players (age: 22.7 ± 3.9 years; height: 181.5 ± 6.6 cm; body mass: 84.7 ± 14.1 kg) were randomly assigned to SI (2 sets of 22 intervals of 10-second runs at 95% VIFT) or LI (5 sets of 3-minute intervals at 85% VIFT) group. The intervention program had to be carried out 2 times a week over 6 weeks. Before and after training period, 10-m sprint, countermovement jump, repeated sprint ability (RSA), and 30-15IFT were assessed. In the within-group analysis, significant improvements in VIFT were found in SI (8.18%) and LI (8.19%) from pretest to posttest. Players in both SI and LI also showed significant enhancements in RSA average time (effect size [ES] = 0.72 and 0.38, respectively), total time (ES = 0.72 and 0.38, respectively), and percentage of decrement (ES = 1.08 and 0.77, respectively) from pretest to posttest. Percentage changes in VIFT, for both groups combined, had a very large correlation with percentage changes in percentage of decrement of RSA (r = 0.857). In the between-groups, there were no differences between the training groups (SI and LI) in any variable (p > 0.05). These results indicate that both HIIT protocols are effective for fitness development during preseason period in handball players. However, SI should be considered as preferred HIIT method because of its higher specificity.

Diurnal Variations in Physical Performance: Are there Morning-to-Evening Differences in Elite Male Handball Players?

The purposes of this study were to determine: 1) morning-to-evening differences in physical performance with and without a ball; and 2) associations between sleep outcomes (duration and quality) and physical performance in handball players. Sixteen elite, male handball players (25.4 ± 5.8 yr, 94.0 ± 7.4 kg, 193.5 ± 7.5 cm) completed physical performance tests without a ball (a zig-zag test assessing closed-skill agility, linear sprints, and countermovement (CMJ) and squat jumps) and with a ball (a zig-zag test and linear sprints) in the morning and evening. In addition, sleep quality and quantity during the night before testing were obtained using self-reported measures. Superior physical performance was evident in all tests during the evening compared to the morning hours (p < 0.003). Specifically, jump height was moderately (effect size (ES) = 0.73 to 1.02) higher during the evening. Similarly, moderate (ES = 1.17) and large (ES = 1.67) improvements in zig-zag test performance were apparent during the evening with and without the ball, respectively. Also, large to very large (ES = 1.29 to 2.09) increases in sprint performance with and without the ball were evident in the evening. No significant correlations (p > 0.05) were apparent between sleep duration and quality and physical performance in both the morning and evening sessions. Diurnal variations in physical performance were apparent in elite male handball players with enhanced performance with and without the ball in the evening compared to morning hours. These findings indicate that morning-to-evening differences in physical performance should be considered when developing conditioning plans or preparing for competition in handball.

MENTAL FATIGUE DOES NOT AFFECT HEART RATE RECOVERY BUT IMPAIRS PERFORMANCE IN HANDBALL PLAYERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study involved an analysis of the impact of mental fatigue on heart rate recovery (HRR), subjective measures of fatigue and intermittent running performance in handball players. Objective: This study was aimed at (1) examining the effects of an induced state of mental fatigue on the aerobic performance of handball players, as measured by the Yo-Yo IR1 test, and (2) exploring possible changes in heart rate regulation through HRR analysis. Methods: Twelve handball players (age: 17.50 ± 3.63 years; 5 ± 2.2 years of practice) undertook a Yo-Yo IR1 test on two occasions, separated by an interval of at least 72 hours. The Yo-Yo IR1 test was preceded by a 30-min treatment, consisting of the Stroop Color-Word Test, to induce mental fatigue. Participants in the control condition watched an emotionally neutral video. Results: Higher ratings of mental fatigue and mental effort following the Stroop Test were observed for the experimental group. No differences in motivation were observed between conditions. Moreover, the induction of mental fatigue impaired running performance and led to a higher RPE during the Yo-Yo IR1 test. Notwithstanding, no changes in HRR or blood lactate levels were observed across conditions. Conclusion: Altogether, these results suggest that mental fatigue impairs intermittent running performance, without affecting HRR values. Level of Evidence III; Case-Control study.

Relationships between maximal strength of lower limb, anthropometric characteristics and fundamental explosive performance in handball players.

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between lower body muscular strength, anthropometric characteristics and several measures of explosive performance in elite team-handball players. 22 male elite team-handball players (age: 19.1 ± 1.7 years) were studied during the competitive season. Standard anthropometric and body composition measures included body mass index, lower limb and thigh muscle volume, and body fat percentage. Maximal leg strength was determined by a one-repetition maximum (1-RM) half back-squat. Vertical jump performance was assessed using a squat jump (SJ) and a counter movement jump (CMJ). Repeated shuttle-sprint ability (RSA) was tested by 6 (2 × 15 m) shuttle sprints with 20 s of active recovery intervals. The best time in a single shuttle sprint (30m; RSAbest), fastest total time (RSATT) and RSA test performance decrement (RSAdec) were recorded. Agility was measured using a modified T-half test (MAT). Throwing velocities of jump shooting and 3-step throwing were recorded by digital video camera. The explained variance of 1-RM half-back-squats ranged from 0.2 % (RSA% Fatigue Index) to 70.1 % (CMJ). Four out of 8 variables (RSA Best Time, CMJ, SJ, throwing velocity of jump shoot) demonstrated an r2 > 0.5. Jump performances seemed closely related to 1-RM half-back-squats. Furthermore, 1-RM half-back-squats were positively correlated with leg and thigh muscle volumes (r = 0.652, r = 0.768). The anthropometric characteristics and some physical performance tests are closely related to the maximal strength performance of handball players. Coaches should focus on maximal strength training programs for the lower limbs when seeking improvements in the throwing velocity and jump performance of handball players.

The effects of preventive rubber band training on shoulder joint imbalance and throwing performance in handball players: A randomized and prospective study

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of a strength training program (STP) using rubber band exercises. MethodsTwenty-five athletes were divided into two groups: muscular imbalance in the dominant (D) and in the non-dominant (ND) upper limbs. Each group was subdivided into experimental and control groups. Experimental groups performed eighteen sessions of STP. Athletes were submitted to ball throwing and isokinetic strength tests to assess the muscular strength of the shoulder rotator muscles and conventional and functional balance ratios. ResultsSTP improved external rotator peak torque (18.0 ± 0.8 to 21.3 ± 1.0 Nm, p < 0.01) and total work (29.3 ± 0.9 to 34.5 ± 1.5 J, p < 0.01) in the D experimental group, while only total work (34.8 ± 2.5 to 37.6 ± 3.1 J, p < 0.03) improved in the D control group. The ND experimental group also presented significant improvement in external rotator peak torque (18.8 ± 0.8 to 21.1 ± 1.3 Nm, p < 0.01) and total work values (29.0 ± 1.4 to 34.6 to 1.6 J, p < 0.01) while there was no strength improvement in the ND control group. The ND experimental group showed an improvement in conventional (61.5 ± 3.5 to 72.7 ± 3.0%, p = 0.03) and functional (1.0 ± 0.1 to 1.6 ± 0.08, p < 0.01) ratios. STP did not improve the conventional ratio in the D experimental group. However, STP produced a large effect size. The D experimental group presented an improvement in ball velocity (49.0 ± 2.4 to 52.5 ± 2.2 km/h, p = 0.04) in standing position throwing. ConclusionsSTP improves muscular strength of external rotator muscles and muscular balance.

Effects of in-season short-term aerobic and high-intensity interval training program on repeated sprint ability and jump performance in handball players.

This study examined the effects of a 7-week in-season aerobic and high-intensity interval-training program on performance tests linked to successful handball play (e.g., repeated sprint and jumping ability). Thirty participants (age 17.0±1.2 years, body mass 81.1±3.4 kg, height 1.82±0.07 m) performed a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), a squat (SJ) and a Countermovement Jump Test (CMJ), as well as a repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA). From this, maximal aerobic speed (MAS, reached at the end of the Yo-Yo IR1), jumping ability, best time in a single sprint trial (RSAbest), total time (RSATT) and the performance decrement (RSAdec) during all sprints were calculated. Later, subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (CG; N.=15) performing their normal training schedule (5 weekly sessions of ~90 minutes of handball training) or an experimental group (EG; N.=15). The EG performed two 30 min sessions per week of high-intensity aerobic exercises at 100-130% of MAS in addition to their normal training schedule. A significant improvement in MAS (d=4.1), RSAbest (d=1.9), RSATT (d=1.5) and RSAdec (d=2.3) after the training period was demonstrated. Also, significant interaction effects (time x group) were found for all parameters as the EG significantly improved performances in all tests after training. The greatest interaction effects were observed in MAS (η2=0.811) and CMJ (η2=0.759). No relevant changes in test performances were found in the CG (mean d=-0.02). These results indicate that individually speed-controlled aerobic and interval training is effective for improving specific handball performance.