Maximal power training induced different improvement in throwing velocity and muscle strength according to playing positions in elite male handball players

Conditioning Strategies for Improving Handball Throwing Velocity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Ball throwing velocity is essential for scoring goals in handball; the crucial question is how to develop throwing velocity in highly trained handball players. Therefore, this systematic review aims to summarize effective conditioning strategies to improve throwing velocity in elite male players and to perform a meta-analysis on which training system can provide the highest increase in throwing velocity. The literature was analyzed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Thirteen studies (sample n = 174) were included: five resistance training studies, one core training study, one study on repeated shuffle sprint training with small-sided games, and one on eccentric overload training. Effect size comparison showed that resistance training is the most effective strategy for improving throwing velocity in elite handball players (d > 0.7). Core training showed a small effect (d = 0.35). Small-sided game (SSG) training showed different results, from a significant positive effect (d = 1.95) to a negative effect (d = -2.03), and eccentric overload training showed a negative effect (d = -0.15). Resistance training is the most effective strategy for improving throwing velocity in elite handball players, while core training and SSGs can improve throwing velocity in youth athletes. Due to the small number of studies focusing on elite handball players, there is a need for more studies on advanced resistance training methods, e.g., contrast, complex, ballistic training, because much greater demands are placed on handball performance assumptions.

Exploration of the Shoulder Internal Rotation's Influence on Throwing Velocity in Handball Players: A Pilot Study

The main objective of this study was to test the relationship between shoulder internal rotation strength and standing throwing velocity. A repeated measures cross-sectional study was conducted with 20 professional handball players (mean ± SD; age: 19.28 ± 2.55 years, weight: 81.52 ± 9.66 kg, height: 185 ± 6 cm, BMI: 23.74 ± 1.69). The participants were instructed to perform eight standing throws from the 7 m line of the handball court at maximum velocity to calculate the mean and maximum throwing velocity. An incremental test was performed to calculate the repetition maximum (1-RM) of internal rotation shoulder strength. A Pearson's correlation analysis with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was performed to determine whether correlations existed between dominant arm internal rotation strength characteristics and maximum and mean ball-throwing velocity. There is no correlation between the internal rotation strength of the throwing shoulder and the velocity of the ball in the standing handball throw.

Internal Validity in Resistance Training Research: A Systematic Review

Ensuring internal validity is the key procedure when planning the study design. Numerous systematic reviews have demonstrated that considerations for internal validity do not receive adequate attention in the primary research in sport sciences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review methodological procedures in current literature where the effects of resistance training on strength, speed, and endurance performance in athletes were analyzed. A computer-based literature searches of SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science was conducted. The internal validity of individual studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Peer-reviewed studies were accepted only if they met all the following eligibility criteria: (a) healthy male and female athletes between the ages of 18-65 years; (b) training program based on resistance exercises; (c) training program lasted for at least 4 weeks or 12 training sessions, with at least two sessions per week; (d) the study reported maximum strength, speed, or endurance outcomes; and (e) systematic reviews, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies were excluded. Of the 6,516 articles identified, 133 studies were selected for rating by the PEDro scale. Sixty-eight percent of the included studies used random allocation to groups, but only one reported concealed allocation. Baseline data are presented in almost 69% of the studies. Thirty-eight percent of studies demonstrated adequate follow-up of participants. The plan to follow the intention-to-treat or stating that all participants received training intervention or control conditions as allocated were reported in only 1.5% of studies. The procedure of blinding of assessors was also satisfied in only 1.5% of the studies. The current study highlights the gaps in designing and reporting research in the field of strength and conditioning. Randomization, blinding of assessors, reporting of attrition, and intention-to-treat analysis should be more fully addressed to reduce threats to internal validity in primary research.

Comparison of Flywheel and Pneumatic Training on Hypertrophy, Strength, and Power in Professional Handball Players

Purpose: The mechanical properties of resistance-training machines are a variable that may help to optimize sports performance and injury prevention protocols. The purpose of this study was to examine two non-gravity-dependent training modalities on muscle structure and function. Methods: Eighteen professional handball players were randomly divided into two experimental groups: 1) iso-inertial flywheel training (FW) and 2) pneumatic resistance training (PN). Participants in both groups completed twelve training sessions in six weeks consisting of three movements (lateral raise, internal and external rotation). Four sets of seven repetitions for each movement were performed during each session. Before and after training subscapularis and deltoid (anterior, middle, posterior) muscle thickness was measured. Isokinetic torque and power during internal and external rotation at 60, 180, and 240 deg·s^-1 was measured as well. Throwing speed was assessed before and after training while both sitting and standing situations. Results: Both groups showed similar significant increases in throwing speed and internal and external rotation peak torque, average and peak power at all angular velocities. Anterior and middle deltoid muscle thickness changes were greater after training in FW (20 and 22%) in comparison to PN (14 and 7%, respectively). Conclusions: In summary, both flywheel and pneumatic training resulted in similar increases in shoulder strength and power and throwing speed. However, flywheel training appeared to possibly result in a slightly greater level of muscle hypertrophy of the anterior and middle deltoid. Non-gravity dependent training appears to induce changes that would be beneficial to sports performance and perhaps injury prevention.

Acute effect of post activation potentiation using drop jumps on repeated sprints combined with vertical jumps in young handball players

BACKGROUND: The use of post-activation potentiation (PAP) exercises at the end of the warm-up may increase muscles nerve conduction speed and per consequent improve speed, strength and explosive power performances. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of PAP during warm-up using vertical or horizontal drop jumps on repeated sprints performance combined with countermovement jump in young handball players. METHODS: 12 young handball players participated in this study. Participants realized 3 randomized warm-up protocols: a warm-up without PAP, a warm-up with PAP using vertical drop jumps, and a warm-up with PAP using horizontal drop jumps. After the assigned PAP protocol, the subject realized a counter movement jump as a reference value (CMJr), and thereafter repeated sprint tests with and without changing of direction (six maximal 2 × 12.5 m shuttle sprints and six maximal 25 m straight sprints, respectively) combined with vertical jumping. RESULTS: Horizontal drop jump during warm-up showed larger improvements in repeated sprints performance with and without change of direction for the parameters best time and mean time, compared with warm up without drop jumps (p< 0.01) and warm up with vertical drop jumps (p< 0.05). Vertical drop jump performance during warm-up induced greater gains in countermovement jump reference value in comparison with warm up without drop jump (p< 0.01), or warm up with horizontal drop jump (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: PAP during warm-up using horizontal drop jump improves repeated sprints performance with and without changing of direction while PAP using vertical drop jump improves CMJ reference value.

Reliability of Throwing Velocity during Non-specific and Specific Handball Throwing Tests

Throwing velocity is one of the most important factors for scoring goals in handball. This study aimed to identify the type of throw and procedure for selecting the final test outcome that provide throwing velocity with the greatest reliability. Fifteen experienced handball players and 33 non-experienced participants were tested in two sessions. Each session consisted of 4 trials of 3 different throwing tests (unspecific, 7-meters, and 3-steps). The maximum value of 4 trials, average value of 4 trials, and average value of the 3 best trials were considered. Throwing velocity was highly reliable (coefficient of variation [CV]≤3.3%, intraclass correlation coefficient≥0.89) with the exception of the unspecific throw for the non-experienced group (CV≥5.9%, intraclass correlation coefficient≤0.56). The 3-steps throw (CV=1.7%) was more reliable than the 7-meters throw (CV=2.1%) (CV_ratio=1.19) and unspecific throw (CV = 3.8%) (CV_ratio=2.18), the 3 procedures provided a comparable reliability (CV range=2.4-2.6%; CV_ratio≤1.07), and the experienced group (CV=1.0%) presented a higher reliability than the non-experienced group (CV=4.0%) (CV_ratio=3.83). These results support the 3-steps throw to maximise the reliability of throwing velocity performance.

Repeated Sprint Ability Demands in U16 to U19 Highly Trained Handball Players Concerning Playing Position

The aim of the study was to determine anaerobic capacity and characterize changes in repeated sprint ability (RSA) within youth elite handball players. For this study, 142 male athletes (17.1 ± 0.9 years) were recruited from a handball sports high school and performed the RSA test on a cycle ergometer, including five 6 s all-out efforts separated by 24 s passive breaks. Maximal (P_max) and mean (P_mean) power, highest (W_max), and total work (W_tot) as well as power (P_dec) and work (W_dec) decrement were measured. Significant differences in RSA were noted in relation to age (greater values of P_max, P_mean, W_tot, W_dec, and P_dec in U19 than U17 as well as greater values of P_max, W_tot, W_max, W_dec, and P_dec in U19 than U16 (p < 0.05)) and playing position (wing players had greater W_tot than pivot, 269 vs. 243 (J/kg) (p < 0.05), and wing players differed significantly in absolute and relative power from athletes of other positions). RSA depends on playing position and age in groups of youth handball players and the RSA test can be helpful in the selection of athletes for a playing position. The article introduces normative values for elite youth handball players, empowering coaches in the evaluation of anaerobic abilities and selection.

Changes in bench press performance and throwing velocity after strength-oriented and ballistic resistance training programs

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the effect of two upper-body resistance training programs (strength-oriented vs. ballistic) on bench press (BP) performance and handball throwing velocity (HTV).

METHODS

Thirty resistance-trained males were randomly assigned to a strength-oriented training group (STG) or a ballistic training group (BTG). The study consisted of 11 sessions: 2 pre-tests (week 1), 8 training sessions (weeks 2-5), and 1 post-test (week 6). The STG performed the BP at the 70-90% of the one-repetition maximum (1RM), and the BTG the BP throw at the 40% of 1RM. BP performance (BP 1RM and maximum velocity achieved against 20 kg [BP20]) and HTV were assessed before and after training.

RESULTS

The STG enhanced BP 1RM (effect size [ES]=0.24) but not BP20 (ES=0.21) or HTV (ES=0.10). The BTG enhanced BP20 (ES=0.63) but not BP1RM (ES=0.27) or HTV (ES=0.02). HTV was not significantly correlated with the BP 1RM (r≤0.181) or BP20 (r≤0.220).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that a short-term RT program based exclusively on the BP exercise performed against either heavy (strength-oriented) or light loads (ballistic) is not effective to increase HTV in resistance-trained men with little handball experience.

Functional Mobility and Dynamic Postural Control Predict Overhead Handball Throwing Performance in Elite Female Team Handball Players

The relationship between dynamic postural control, functional mobility and team handball throwing performance, velocity and accuracy, is largely unknown. The hand reach star excursion balance test (HSEBT) is a full kinetic chain assessment tool of these factors. Specifically, L135 and R135 (extension) reaches elicit joint movement combinations similar to the cocking and acceleration phase, while the L45 and R45 (flexion) reaches elicit joint movement combinations similar to the follow-through. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific HSEBT reach measures correlate with team handball throwing performance. Eleven elite female team handball players (21.7 ± 1.8 years; 71.3 ± 9.6 kg; 1.75 ± 0.07 m) executed selected HSEBT reaches before performing five valid step-up overhead throws (1x1m target) from which throwing velocity (motion capture) and accuracy (mean radial error) were quantified. Significant relationships between HSEBT measures and mean radial error, but not throwing velocity were established. Specifically, extension composite scores (L135+R135) for the dominant (150.7 ± 17.4cm) and non-dominant foot (148.1 ± 17.5 cm) were correlated with mean radial error (p < 0.05). Also, specific reaches on the dominant (L135: 87.4 ± 5.6 cm; R135: 63.4 ± 11.8 cm) and non-dominant (R135: 87.0 ± 6.1 cm) foot were correlated with throwing error (p < 0.05). The lack of significant findings to throwing velocity might be due to a ceiling effect of both L135 and R135 and of throwing velocity. We conclude that while there may be other reasons for handball players to train and test functional mobility and dynamic postural control as measured in the HSEBT, no beneficial effect on throwing performance should be expected in an elite group of handball players.