Effects of Two Different Training Programs with Same Workload on Throwing Velocity by Experienced Water Polo Players

Abstract

To investigate the effects of two different strength-training programs with the same workload (impulse) on throwing velocity in water polo, 30 water polo players (M age = 17.1 yr., SD = 4.9; M mass = 71.2 kg, SD = 14.7; M height = 1.75 m, SD = 0.09 m) were randomly divided in two groups based upon throwing performance with water polo ball. The medicine-ball training group performed 3 x 6 reps with a 3-kg medicine ball, while the combination training group completed 1 x 9 repetitions with the 3-kg medicine ball, followed by 3 x 14 repetitions with a water polo ball. Both groups trained eight weeks twice per week in addition to their regular water polo training. Throwing velocity was measured with a Doppler radar gun before and after the training period. Testing included throws with a water polo ball on land and in water, as well as with 1-kg and 3-kg medicine balls on land. Statistically significant increases were found in mean peak throwing velocity with the water polo, 1-kg, and 3-kg medicine balls after training. No differences between the groups were found, except in throwing velocity with water polo on land, with a statistically significantly larger increase for the combination training group (+7.6%) than the medicine-ball training group (+3.4%). These findings indicate that after training with the same workload (impulse), increases in throwing velocity in water polo are similar and suggesting workload may be a critical variable for training results.

A systematic review on the effects of resistance and plyometric training on physical fitness in youth- What do comparative studies tell us?

“…With regards to plyometric training for the upper body, Marques et al compared the effects of a training program using throwing exercises conducted in the stretch shortening cycle [ 78 ]. While one experimental group exercised with heavy balls (3 kg), the other group exercised with a combination of heavy balls and water polo balls (approximately 0.4 kg).…”

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“…Throwing is one of the most decisive technical actions in many team sports and has been studied in various sports modalities including water polo (Marques et al, 2012), cricket (Van den Tillaar & Marques, 2011) and baseball (Newton & McEvoy, 1994;Lachowetz, Evon & Pastiglione,1998). Studies have shown that the speed of throwing influences the reaction time of the opponent for intercepting the ball (Van den Tillaar & Ettema, 2003, Gutierrez-Davila, Rojas, Ortega, Campos & Párraga, 2011) and throwing at the fastest possible speed is a factor that determines sporting success in attack situations (Vila et al, 2009).…”

“…Gorostiaga, Granados, Ibáñez and Izquierdo, (2005) and Ortega-Becerra, Pareja-Blanco, Jiménez-Reyes, Cuadrado-Peñafiel and Gonzalez-Badillo (2018) indicate that throwing mechanics, strength and muscular power in the upper and lower body segments are factors that increase speed rates in specific handball throws. To improve throw velocity, different training programs have been carried out focused on both strength and velocity (Potteiger, Williford, Blessing & Smidt, 1992) based on the principle of overloading of the upper body segments (Gorostiaga, Izquierdo, Itralde, Ruasta & Ibáñez, 1999;Marques et al, 2012), and on the principle of specificity with regard to throws in this sport (Lachowetz et al, 1998;van der Tillaar & Ettema, 2003, 2011van der Tillar, 2004;van der Tillar & Marques, 2009).…”

Throwing velocity in water polo elite competition: Analysis of associated variables

“…Several authors have highlighted that of all the actions that impact water polo performance, throws are one of the most decisive technical skills in terms of the outcome of a match (Marques, et al, 2012 However, very little of this research was carried out based on throws which took place in official Championships in real game situations (Abraldes, et al, 2011;Alcaraz, et al, 2011;Alcaraz, et al, 2012), where there are other factors that can have an impact (there are differences between throw speed in training and/or competition), as well as the presence of opponents, the micro-situation in which the throw is performed (even, counterattack, power play and penalty), the angle or position of the throw and the distance from the goal at which the throw was made.…”