Effects of small-sided games and high-intensity interval training on physical performance in young female handball players

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of small-sided handball games in combination with handball training (SSG group) versus high-intensity interval training in combination with handball training (HIIT group) on physical performance of young female handball players during pre-competitive period. Twenty-four young female handball players, who have a 6.17 ± 1.54 years training experience and competition in the national league participated in this study. SSG group (n = 12; age 16.06 ± 0.80 years, body mass 61.27 ± 3.68 kg, body height 1.64 ± 4.7 m, body mass index 22.7 kg/m 2 ) while HIIT group (n = 12; 16.20 ± 1.28 years, body mass 62.46 ± 7.86 kg, body height 1.68 ± 6.8 m, body mass index 22 kg/m 2 ). Both groups applied training programs twice-a-week for 8 weeks. Before and after the training programs physical performances were assessed: Countermovement jump (CMJ), Squat jump (SJ), Sprint on 0–10 m; Sprint on 0–20 m; Sprint on 0–30 m, Throwing medicine ball and total distance covered during the Yo-YoIRT1. After 8 weeks SSG and HIIT groups significantly improved CMJ, SJ, 0–20 m sprint, 0–30 m sprint, throwing medicine ball and Yo-YoIRT1 (p ≤ 0.05). However, significantly greater improvement was achieved in Yo-YoIRT1 (m) in HIIT group (28.40%) than SSG group (17.63%). These results indicate that SSG group and HIIT group equally improve of physical performances (jump, sprint and upper explosive strength) among young female handball players in pre-competitive period.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Physical Performance in Female Team Sports: A Systematic Review

“…The included studies 230 female participants in total. The studies included participants from different team sports: basketball [ 9 , 22 , 23 ], handball [ 24 , 25 ] soccer [ 8 , 26 , 27 ], futsal [ 28 , 29 ] and volleyball [ 30 ]. The remaining two studies included participants from ice hockey [ 31 ] and field hockey [ 32 ].…”

Physiological responses of small-sided vs. regular games in youth volleyball players

“…SSGs are often used as part of regular training programs in various forms, depending on the aim and the philosophy of the coach [ 41 ]. Moreover, it allows more time spent managing the ball under game-like conditions compared with generic training [ 25 , 42 ]. Thus, most exercise sessions in team sports have SSG played with a reduced number of players on a smaller area than the regular official game pitch size [ 39 ].…”

Motor ability development by integrating small-sided games into physical education class

“…An alternative to warm-up routines contain a series of high-intensity, short-duration activities inducing a post-activation potentiation effect (Zois et al, 2015 ). Instructors may consider using SSG as specific conditioning training, which enhances physiological demands in practice (Davids et al, 2013 ; Mazurek et al, 2018 ; Arslan et al, 2020 ; Jurišić et al, 2021 ).…”