Effects of an 8-Week In-Season Elastic Band Training Program on Explosive Muscle Performance, Change of Direction, and Repeated Changes of Direction in the Lower Limbs of Junior Male Handball Players

Abstract

Aloui, G, Hammami, M, Fathloun, M, Hermassi, S, Gaamouri, N, Shephard, RJ, and Chelly, MS. Effects of an 8-week in-season elastic band training program on explosive muscle performance, change of direction, and repeated changes of direction in the lower limbs of junior male handball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1804–1815, 2019—The aim of this study was to examine the effects of incorporating 8 weeks of biweekly lower-limb elastic band training (knee and hip extension) into the in-season regimen of junior handball players. Study participants (30 men, aged 18.7 ± 0.8 years, body mass 81.1 ± 15.4 kg, height 1.82 ± 0.06 m, body fat: 15.5 ± 5.2%) were randomly assigned between control and experimental groups. Measures obtained before and after intervention included a cycle ergometer force-velocity test, force platform determinations of squat and countermovement jump characteristics, sprint times (5 and 30 m), repeated change-of-direction (RCOD) and change-of-direction (T-half, COD) tests, 1 repetition maximum (RM) half back squat, and anthropometric estimates of limb muscle volumes. Small to trivial improvements of experimental subjects relative to control subjects included peak power (p < 0.001), 1RM strength measures (p < 0.01), sprint times (p < 0.001 for 5 m; p < 0.05 for 30 m), COD (p < 0.01), and all RCOD parameters (p < 0.05) except the RCOD fatigue index. However, vertical jump parameters and limb volumes remained unchanged relative to controls. It may be concluded that adding biweekly elastic band training to a standard conditioning regimen yields small gains in measures that likely have an important influence on handball performance, particularly the ability to sprint, change direction, and make repeated changes of direction. Accordingly, such simple exercises can usefully be adopted as a component of handball training.

Playing Level and Position Differences in Body Characteristics and Physical Fitness Performance Among Male Team Handball Players

“…In our study muscle volume of the upper limb in players of the first league were relatively more developed than the value of players of the second league. Muscle volume of upper limb First Tunisia Handball League found in the present study was higher than that seen by (Hermassi et al, 2011) of elite handball players, but was similar to those reported by Aloui et al (2018) and Chelly et al (2010a) of male handball players. In fact, the First Tunisia Handball League, pivots (4.06 ± 0.27 l) achieved higher values than backs (4.05 ± 0.96 l) and wings (3.06 ± 0.49 l).…”

“…The cross-sectional area of the thigh in First Tunisia Handball League players were significantly higher than the second league players but similar to those reported by Hermassi et al (2011) and less than that seen by Aloui et al (2018) in junior's handball players. In fact, the First Tunisia Handball League, the backs (201 ± 2.67 cm 2 ) achieved higher values of thigh muscle than pivots (200 ± 2.41 cm 2 ) and wings (180 ± 6.60 cm 2 ).…”

“…The thigh muscle volume of First Handball League found in the present study was less than that seen by Aloui et al (2018) of junior's handball players, but was similar to those reported by Hermassi et al (2011) male handball players. The thigh muscle volume of First Handball League players was significantly larger than the second league players.…”

“…In terms of the force/velocity test, the average maximal power of French soccer players was 1.021 W, but much of their apparent advantage over the present sample was due to a larger body mass. The absolute peak power of First Handball League found in the present study equal to 819 ± 136 W and was less than that seen by Hermassi et al (2018) of elite male handball players, and juniors handball players (Aloui et al, 2018) but was similar to those reported by Hermassi et al (2011) and higher than reported by Chelly et al (2010a) for soccer players.…”

“…Team handball is characterized by explosive actions performed at high velocities; therefore, success in competition depends essentially on a well-developed muscular strength (Aloui et al, 2018; Hermassi et al, 2018). The higher values of maximum strength and muscle strength provide a clear advantage for maintaining of muscle contractions during the entire match.…”