Effects of a 6 week core strengthening training on measures of physical and athletic performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the effects of a 6-week core strengthening training within the regular handball training sessions compared to regular handball training only. Male sub-elite handball players were randomly assigned to an intervention (INT: n = 13; age: 16.9 ± 0.6 years) or a control (CON: n = 13; age: 17.2 ± 0.8 years) group. The INT group performed the “big 3” core exercises cross curls-up, side bridge (both sides), and the quadrupedal stance (“birddog exercise”) triweekly for 20–30 min while the CON group conducted regular handball training only. Pre- and post-training assessments included measures of muscular endurance (Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test [CKCUEST] and the Bourban test), shoulder mobility/stability (Upper Quarter Y Balance [YBT-UQ] test), and throwing velocity. The ANCOVA revealed significant differences between means in favour of the INT group for the dorsal chain (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.46) and the lateral chain (left side: p = 0.015, ηp2 = 0.22; right side: p = 0.039, ηp2 = 0.17) of the Bourban test, the composite score (p = 0.024, ηp2 = 0.20) of the throwing arm reach and the inferolateral reach direction (p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.17), and the composite score (p = 0.027, ηp2 = 0.19) of the non-throwing arm reach of the YBT-UQ. However, performance in the CKCUEST and throwing velocity did not show any group-specific changes. Therefore, 6 weeks of core strengthening training were effective in improving some components of physical but no handball-specific athletic (i.e., throwing velocity) performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players. Practitioners may still opt for this training regimen when stimulus variability is sought or when a low load/low movement approach (e.g., during rehabilitation) is favoured.

The effect of core stability training on ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility in adolescent male football players

“…As a matter of fact, studies conducted in other sports have yielded varied results regarding the impact of core exercises on sport-specific parameters. In one such study examining the effects of core strengthening training on physical and athletic performance in elite handball players, significant improvements were observed in physical components, but not in handball-specific athletic performance [ 14 ]. Similarly, a study investigating the effects of core exercises on functional movement patterns in adult tennis players reported significant changes in all functional movement screen test results [ 48 ].…”

“…The effect of core stability training (CST) on athletic performance has been and continues to be studied. Previous studies revealed that a CST program increased some parameters of general performance and sportspecific performance in badminton, handball, baseball, basketball, football, swimming, tennis, rhythmic gymnastics, and modern dance [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

The Impact of Training Using the Suek and Cross Strategy Patterns on Athlete Productivity in Scoring Goals in Handball Matches in Padang City

“…Cross is an attack pattern that relies on short and long crosses with moderate intensity playing patterns [9]. Cross play patterns can be started from any position, either from the left and right wing, flashlight and pivot or from left back and right back positions.…”

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“…As a matter of fact, studies conducted in other sports have yielded varied results regarding the impact of core exercises on sport-specific parameters. In one such study examining the effects of core strengthening training on physical and athletic performance in elite handball players, significant improvements were observed in physical components, but not in handballspecific athletic performance [14]. Similarly, a study investigating the effects of core exercises on functional movement patterns in adult tennis players reported significant changes in all functional movement screen test results [48].…”