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Effects of an 8-week in-season upper limb elastic band training programme on the peak power, strength, and throwing velocity of junior handball players

Aloui, G; Hermassi, S; Hammami, M; Gaamouri, N; Bouhafs, EG; Comfort, P; Shephard, RJ; Schwesig, R; Chelly, MS

Authors

G Aloui

S Hermassi

M Hammami

N Gaamouri

EG Bouhafs

RJ Shephard

R Schwesig

MS Chelly



Abstract

Abstract Background Team handball is an intense sport with special requirements on technical and tactical skills as well as physical performance. The ability of handball players to make repeated powerful muscular contractions in pushing and throwing the ball is crucial to success. Objective This study investigated the effects of elastic band training on upper body peak power output, ball throwing velocity, and local muscle volume of junior handball players. Materials and Methods Thirty handball players (a single national-level Tunisian team) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG; n = 15) and an experimental group (EG; n = 15). Pre- and post-interventional measurements included force-velocity tests, one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and pull-over strength, ball throwing velocity in three types of throw (jumping shot, 3-step running throw, and standing throw), and anthropometric estimates of limb volumes. The EG additionally performed an elastic band training programme twice a week for 8 weeks immediately before engaging in regular handball training. The control group underwent no additional elastic band training. Results The EG demonstrated greater improvements in absolute and relative peak power (p < 0.001; 49.3 ± 22.9 % and 47.9 ± 24.6 %, respectively), 1RM strength (p < 0.001; 25.3 ± 2.2 % and 44.1 ± 9.0 % for 1RM bench press and pull over, respectively), and throwing velocity in all three types of ball throws (p < 0.001; 25.1–26.1 %), compared to the CG (3.9–4.4 %). Limb volumes increased significantly (p = 0.001, 8.0 ± 7.5 %) in the EG, with no significant change (p = 0.175, 2.6 ± 7.0 %) in the CG. Conclusions We conclude that additional elastic band training performed twice a week for 8 weeks improves measures relevant to game performance, particularly strength, power, and ball throwing velocity.

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Apr 30, 2019
Publication Date Apr 30, 2019
Deposit Date Oct 22, 2019
Journal Sportverletzung · Sportschaden
Print ISSN 0932-0555
Electronic ISSN 1439-1236
Volume 33
Issue 03
Pages 133-141
DOI https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0819-5185
Keywords Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/a-0819-5185
Related Public URLs https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/journal/10.1055/s-00000081
Additional Information Additional Information : ** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: pissn 0932-0555; eissn 1439-1236 **History: issued 30-04-2019; published_online 30-04-2019