Effects of Short-Term In-Season Weightlifting Training on the Muscle Strength, Peak Power, Sprint Performance, and Ball-Throwing Velocity of Male Handball Players

Abstract

Hermassi, S, Schwesig, R, Aloui, G, Shephard, RJ, and Chelly, MS. Effects of short-term in-season weightlifting training on the muscle strength, peak power, sprint performance, and ball-throwing velocity of male handball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3309–3321, 2019—This study analyzed the effects of in-season weightlifting training, conducted biweekly for 12 weeks. Twenty-two male handball players were divided into experimental (age: 20.3 ± 0.5 years, height: 1.85 ± 0.04 m, and body mass: 86.3 ± 9.4 kg) and control (age: 20.1 ± 0.5 years, height: 1.81 ± 0.05 m, and body mass: 83.9 ± 10.3 kg) groups, and performance was assessed before and after the intervention. Peak power was determined by a cycle ergometer force-velocity test, a vertical squat jump, and a countermovement jump. Measures of 1 repetition maximal strength included bench press, back half-squats, snatch, and clean and jerk. Handball-throwing velocity was assessed by standing, running, and jump throws. The change of direction T-half test and sprint times over 5, 15, and 30 m were recorded by paired photocells. The intraclass correlation coefficient of all parameters exceeded 0.75. Significant training effects were seen for all sprint (3/3) and throwing (3/3) measures, but only 7/14 strength parameters and 3/10 jump parameters. The largest increases of performance were for snatch (η2 = 0.627; d = 2.85) and 15-m sprinting (η2 = 0.852; d = 2.73). Countermovement jump force showed a negative response (d = −0.62). Three other parameters (V0 power for the upper and lower limbs, countermovement jump power) showed only small effect sizes (d = 0.45, d = 0.31, and d = 0.23, respectively). We conclude that 12 weeks of biweekly in-season weight training improved the peak power, maximal strength, sprinting, and throwing in handball players, but that their jump performance did not increase with this kind of intervention.

In-Season Weightlifting Training Exercise in Healthy Male Handball Players: Effects on Body Composition, Muscle Volume, Maximal Strength, and Ball-Throwing Velocity

“…Handball is a highly demanding intermittent sport, involving multiple high-intensity short runs [1,2,3], frequent body contacts [1,2,3], and other high-intensity explosive strength and power actions. Creativity in combination with speed-jumping, turning, changing pace, and ball throwing makes this sport very attractive but tough to play [1,2,3,4].…”

“…Specific studies of this issue have examined the influence of speed-strength programs on throwing ball velocity [5], or the relationship between throwing velocity and isokinetic strength [6], rather than the impact on jumping ability, sprint performance, and maximal dynamic strength [1,2,4,7]. Handball coaches and scientists agree that the main determinants of throwing velocity are technique, the timing of movement in consecutive body segments, and the strength and power of the upper and lower limbs [1,2,3,4,5]. Each of these factors can be improved by appropriate training, particularly resistance programs [1,2,7,8].…”

“…In-season strength and conditioning have thus been advocated to preserve and increase the strength and power of players [1,2,4,7,9]. Both strength and power can be enhanced by resistance training [3,4].…”

“…In-season strength and conditioning have thus been advocated to preserve and increase the strength and power of players [1,2,4,7,9]. Both strength and power can be enhanced by resistance training [3,4]. Some studies have found associated improvements in explosive actions [2,3,4], but others have seen no significant increases [4], suggesting that strength training may lack elements important to explosive movements, including eccentric overloading, segmental coordination, and specificity of joint angles and angular velocities [3].…”

“…However, there is a dearth of information concerning the most effective way to optimize physical performance in handball, with little known about possible interference between the different potential components of a training regimen [4,9]. Of crucial interest are modalities that are simple and effective, yet less expensive and easier to use than weight machines or free weights.…”