Reliability of Throwing Velocity during Non-specific and Specific Handball Throwing Tests

Abstract

Throwing velocity is one of the most important factors for scoring goals in handball. This study aimed to identify the type of throw and procedure for selecting the final test outcome that provide throwing velocity with the greatest reliability. Fifteen experienced handball players and 33 non-experienced participants were tested in two sessions. Each session consisted of 4 trials of 3 different throwing tests (unspecific, 7-meters, and 3-steps). The maximum value of 4 trials, average value of 4 trials, and average value of the 3 best trials were considered. Throwing velocity was highly reliable (coefficient of variation [CV]≤3.3%, intraclass correlation coefficient≥0.89) with the exception of the unspecific throw for the non-experienced group (CV≥5.9%, intraclass correlation coefficient≤0.56). The 3-steps throw (CV=1.7%) was more reliable than the 7-meters throw (CV=2.1%) (CVratio=1.19) and unspecific throw (CV = 3.8%) (CVratio=2.18), the 3 procedures provided a comparable reliability (CV range=2.4−2.6%; CVratio≤1.07), and the experienced group (CV=1.0%) presented a higher reliability than the non-experienced group (CV=4.0%) (CVratio=3.83). These results support the 3-steps throw to maximise the reliability of throwing velocity performance.

Assessment of Back-Squat Performance at Submaximal Loads: Is the Reliability Affected by the Variable, Exercise Technique, or Repetition Criterion?

“…Confirming our third hypothesis, no meaningful differences in reliability were observed between the criteria (best or average score) used for data analysis. These results are in agreement with the study of Rios et al [ 28 ], who did not find meaningful differences in reliability between the repetition criteria used for assessing throwing velocity in different handball throwing tests. However, our results are in disagreement with the findings of Claudino et al [ 27 ] and Bishop et al [ 26 ], who observed a greater sensitivity of the CMJ height to monitor the neuromuscular status or a greater consistency to calculate isometric squat, CMJ, and drop jump asymmetries using the average score instead of the best score, respectively.…”

“…Some studies have used the average score of all repetitions [ 10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 22 ], other studies have used the best score [ 23 , 25 ], and others did not directly specify the repetition criteria used for data analysis [ 12 , 19 ]. Given the diversity of repetition criteria, previous research has explored whether the best or average scores are more appropriate as an indicator of physical performance [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. For example, Claudino et al [ 27 ] showed that the average countermovement jump (CMJ) height was more sensitive than the highest CMJ height for monitoring the neuromuscular status.…”

“…Similarly, Bishop et al [ 26 ] reported greater consistency for the inter-limb differences evaluated in the isometric squat, CMJ, and drop jump exercises using the average score compared to the best score of each limb. However, Rios et al [ 28 ] found that the reliability of throwing velocity in different handball throwing tests was comparable when the best score of 4 trials, average score of 4 trials, and the average score of the 3 best trials were considered for the analyses. Therefore, to shed more light on this topic, it seems important to elucidate whether the reliability of the different performance variables collected during the back-squat exercise are affected by the repetition criterion.…”

“…Specifically, this study aimed to compare the between-session reliability between (i) 4 performance variables (MV vs. MP vs. PV vs. PP), (ii) 2 exercise techniques (pause vs. rebound), and (iii) 2 repetition criteria (best vs. average scores). It was hypothesized that (i) MV and PV would be the most reliable variables, followed by MP, and finally PP [ 10 , 12 ], (ii) the pause technique would provide more reliable outcomes than the rebound technique [ 19 ], and (iii) the average score would provide comparable or greater reliability outcomes than the best score [ 26 , 28 ].…”

Effects of an Elastic Resistance Band Intervention in Adolescent Handball Players

“…Only the throwing arm was tested. In a recent study, Rios et al [29] reported this kind of throwing execution to be highly reliable (ICC = 0.89).…”