This study aimed to compare the effects of two elastic band 10-week training programmes on the athletic performance in adolescent female handball players. Participants aged 16.0 ± 0.5 years were ...randomly assigned to control (CNT, n = 12), standard elastic band (SEB, n = 12), or contrast elastic band (CEB, n = 12) programmes, each performed twice a week supplementing the regular training. The sprint (10 m and 20 m), modified Illinois change-of-direction test (COD), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), back extensor strength (BES), medicine ball throw (MBT), 1-RM bench press, 1-RM half squat, repeated sprint ability, and force-velocity (F-V) tests were measured before and after the intervention. Both CEB and SEB similarly improved sprint (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01) and COD (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) when compared to CNT. Jumping performance improved significantly (SJ p < 0.01; CMJ p < 0.05) only in CEB, compared to CNT. Strength improved in both experimental groups (p < 0.01; ES: 0.73 < d < 1.59) compared to CNT, and there was a greater increase for CEB than SEB (p < 0.05) in the medicine ball throw (Table 3). Both CEB and SEB increased all RSA scores compared to CNT (p < 0.01; ES: 0.10 < d < 1.22), without significant difference between them. All F-V scores increased significantly in CEB and SEB compared to CNT (p < 0.01; ES: 0.45 < d < 2.47). In addition, CEB showed substantial gains in performance for PPabs, PPrel, and F0 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) compared to SEB. Ten-week elastic band training conducted within the competitive season improved limb strength, power and F-V profile in female handball players, with a superior effect of the contrast elastic band training mode for upper-limb strength and F-V characteristics.This study aimed to compare the effects of two elastic band 10-week training programmes on the athletic performance in adolescent female handball players. Participants aged 16.0 ± 0.5 years were randomly assigned to control (CNT, n = 12), standard elastic band (SEB, n = 12), or contrast elastic band (CEB, n = 12) programmes, each performed twice a week supplementing the regular training. The sprint (10 m and 20 m), modified Illinois change-of-direction test (COD), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), back extensor strength (BES), medicine ball throw (MBT), 1-RM bench press, 1-RM half squat, repeated sprint ability, and force-velocity (F-V) tests were measured before and after the intervention. Both CEB and SEB similarly improved sprint (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01) and COD (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) when compared to CNT. Jumping performance improved significantly (SJ p < 0.01; CMJ p < 0.05) only in CEB, compared to CNT. Strength improved in both experimental groups (p < 0.01; ES: 0.73 < d < 1.59) compared to CNT, and there was a greater increase for CEB than SEB (p < 0.05) in the medicine ball throw (Table 3). Both CEB and SEB increased all RSA scores compared to CNT (p < 0.01; ES: 0.10 < d < 1.22), without significant difference between them. All F-V scores increased significantly in CEB and SEB compared to CNT (p < 0.01; ES: 0.45 < d < 2.47). In addition, CEB showed substantial gains in performance for PPabs, PPrel, and F0 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) compared to SEB. Ten-week elastic band training conducted within the competitive season improved limb strength, power and F-V profile in female handball players, with a superior effect of the contrast elastic band training mode for upper-limb strength and F-V characteristics.
Boxing is one of the oldest combat sports. The aim of the current review is to critically analyze the amateur boxer's physical and physiological characteristics and to provide practical ...recommendations for training as well as new areas of scientific research. High-level male and female boxers show a propensity for low body fat levels. Although studies on boxer somatotypes are limited, the available information shows that elite-level male boxers are characterized by a higher proportion of mesomorphy with a well-developed muscle mass and a low body fat level. To help support the overall metabolic demands of a boxing match and to accelerate the recovery process between rounds, athletes of both sexes require a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness. International boxers show a high peak and mean anaerobic power output. Muscle strength in both the upper and lower limbs is paramount for a fighter's victory and is one of the keys to success in boxing. As boxing punches are brief actions and very dynamic, high-level boxing performance requires well-developed muscle power in both the upper and lower limbs. Albeit limited, the available studies reveal that isometric strength is linked to high-level boxing performance. Future investigations into the physical and physiological attributes of boxers are required to enrich the current data set and to help create a suitable training program.
This study examined the effects of a 10-week combined upper and lower limb plyometric training (ULLPT) programs on components of physical performance in young female handball players.
Participants ...aged 15.8 ± 0.2 years were randomly assigned between the experimental (EG;
= 17) and control (CG;
= 17) groups. Two-way analyses of performance (group × time) assessed changes in handgrip force, back extensor strength; medicine ball throwing, 30-m sprint times, change of direction (CoD) Modified Illinois test (Illinois-MT), four jumping tests squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), CMJ with arms (CMJA) and 5 jump test (5JT), static and dynamic balance, and repeated sprint T-test scores (RSTT).
After 10 weeks of plyometric training (two sessions per week), group × time interactions showed significant changes in EG relative to CG in right and left handgrip force, back extensor strength and medicine ball throwing
< 0.001,
= 1.51 (large);
< 0.0001,
= 0.85 (large);
< 0.001,
= 0.90 (large);
< 0.0001,
= 0.52 (medium), respectively. Group × time interactions also showed improvements of EG relative to CG in sprint times 5 m (
= 0.02,
= 0.80 (large)); 10 m (
< 0.0001,
= 1.00 (large)); 20 m (
= 0.02,
= 1.41 (large)); and 30 m (
= 0.02,
= 2.60 (large)), CoD Illinois-MT (
< 0.001,
= 1.58 (large)) and jumping (SJ, CMJ, CMJA, and 5JT,
= 0.001,
= 0.87 (large);
< 0.001,
= 1.17 (large);
< 0.001,
= 1.15 (large); and
= 0.006,
= 0.71 (medium)) respectively. Further, all RSTT scores (best time, mean time, total time, and fatigue index) improved significantly in the experimental group, with group × time interactions varying between
< 0.001 and
= 0.049 (
value large to medium). However, balance did not differ significantly between EG and CG.
We conclude that 10 weeks of ULLPT improved many measures of physical performance in young female handball players.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of plyometric training on the ability to change direction and postural control in female basketball players. 25 national level female ...basketball players aged 18-27 years participated in the study. Volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental group (
= 13) who replaced a part of their standard regimen by plyometric training twice weekly for 8 weeks, and a control group (
= 12) who continued their usual in-season training program. Before and after the intervention, the ability to change direction and postural control were assessed by force platform under both static and dynamic conditions (with the eyes open and then closed). Isokinetic testing was also performed to calculate the Hamstring/Quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio. The intervention improved ability to change direction (
≤ 0.001,
= 1.51) and shortened path length (
= 0.038,
= 0.937) during static balance testing. However, it did not yield significant inter-group differences in postural control in the antero-posterior plane. The stance in the medio-lateral plane seemed the most responsive to the intervention, with reductions in surface area (
= 0.012,
= 0.285), velocity with the eyes closed (
= 0.031,
= 0.968), and path length with the eyes open (
= 0.029,
= 0.968). The intervention did not change the H/Q ratio at the two speeds tested (60° and 120°.s
). In summary, the addition of 8 weeks plyometric training to the usual in-season basketball regimen of top-level female basketball players enhanced their ability to change direction and reduced the risk of falls and injuries by improving postural control, but did not increase the H/Q measure of knee stability.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week in-season plyometric training (PT) program on the physical performance and neuromuscular adaptations of female basketball players. ...Twenty-seven elite female basketball players (aged 21.0 ± 2.6 years) were assigned between an experimental group (
= 15) who substituted a part of their usual training with biweekly PT, and a control group (
= 12) who maintained their standard basketball training. Analyses of variance and co-variance assessed changes in 10, 20, and 30 m sprint times, ability to change direction (
-test) and jumping ability squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) with electromyographic assessment of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris muscles during jumping and meassurement of the isokinetic strength of the knee muscles. After 8 weeks of the plyometric program the experimental group enhanced change of direction performance (Δ = -3.90%,
= 0.67) and showed a greater thigh cross sectional area (Δ = 9.89%,
= 0.95) relative to controls. Neural adaptations included significant improvements of EMG parameters for the vastus medialis muscle during Squat Jumping (Δ = 109.3%,
= 0.59). However, trends to improvements of sprinting times and jumping performances did not reach statistical significance. In addition, there were no gains in the peak torque and the average power of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles at either slow or moderate test speeds. We conclude that 8-weeks of PT (72-126 jumps) was insufficient to improve many of the variables associated with basketball performance in our subject-group. Further studies of female basketball players, extending the program period and increasing the intensity and speed of jumps are recommended in the search for more significant results.
Handball performance is influenced by age, anthropometric characteristics, technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical abilities. The aims of this study were (i) to determine differences ...in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance between adolescent handball players across age categories, and (ii) to determine which anthropometric and maturity variables have the greatest relative importance in fitness for this sport. Seventy-nine male handball players drawn from a team in the elite Tunisian Handball league U18 (n = 10); U17 (n = 12); U16 (n = 17); U15 (n = 18); and U14 (n = 22) volunteered for the investigation. Assessments included sprint performances; change in direction tests (T-half test and Illinois modified test); jumping tests (squat jump; counter movement jump; countermovement jump with aimed arms; five-jump test); medicine ball throwing; handgrip force; back extensor force and selected anthropometric measurements. The individual's age category affected all measurements, with U17 and U18 players showing larger body measurements and significantly better absolute results on all physical tests than U14, U15 and U16 contestants. Scores for the majority of physical performance tests were closely inter-correlated. We conclude that U17 and U18 players show significantly better absolute results than the younger players on all physical tests. Multiple linear regressions, using block-wise entry, indicate that age is the strongest predictor of jump and sprint performances. Several anthropometric characteristics, including body mass, standing height and lower limb length were closely correlated with performance test scores, but after allowing for age only body mass added to the prediction of jumping ability.
This study examined the effects of incorporating 8 weeks of bi-weekly lower limb elastic band based loaded plyometric training into the in-season regimen of junior handball players. Participants were ...assigned between control (
= 15, age: 18.1 ± 0.5 years, body mass: 73.7 ± 13.9 kg, height: 1.82 ± 0.06 m, body fat: 14.4 ± 6.0%) and experimental groups (
= 14, age: 17.7 ± 0.3 years, body mass: 76.8 ± 10.7 kg, height: 1.83 ± 0.04 m, body fat: 13.4 ± 3.8%). Measures obtained before and after the intervention included a cycle ergometer force-velocity test, squat and countermovement jump characteristics, sprints times, repeated change of direction and change of direction tests (COD), a 1-RM half-back squat, and anthropometric estimates of limb volumes. Gains in the experimental group relative to controls included absolute muscle power (W) (Δ 23.1%;
< 0.05; ES = 0.565), relative muscle power (W.kg
) (Δ 22.1%;
< 0.05; ES = 0.573), sprint times over 5 and 30 m (Δ-8.7%;
< 0.01; ES = 0.921 and Δ-7.2%;
< 0.05; ES = 0.573, respectively), COD times (Δ-9.2%;
< 0.05; ES = 0.561) and all repeated COD parameters except the fatigue index. However, a significant improvement by time interaction was observed in both groups on some anthropometric parameters (leg muscle volume and surface section thigh max), 1-RM half- back squat and vertical jump performance. We conclude that bi-weekly elastic band-loaded plyometric training improves the ability to sprint, COD and repeated COD relative to regular training, and thus it can be recommended to young male team handball players as a new method of plyometric training to improve important elements of their physical performance.
The effects of 7 weeks plyometric training on a stable surface and on sand were compared in junior male handball players.
A team of experienced players was divided randomly between three groups, ...undertaking a standard in-season regimen (C,
= 10), or supplementing this regimen by plyometric training on sand (PS,
= 11) or a stable surface (P, n = 10) for 7 weeks. Assessments included 20 m sprint times, change of direction tests (Modified change-of-direction T-test and Modified Illinois test), a repeated sprint T-test, jumping ability (squat, countermovement and five jump tests), and static and dynamic balance.
After the intervention, PS showed significant increases of sprint speed relative to P and C. Change of direction scores were also improved for PS relative to P and C. Both PS and P increased vertical jump performance (squat jump,
= 0.005; ES = 0.170; counter-movement jump
< 0.001; ES = 0.247). Repeated sprint T-test scores improved in PS and P relative to C, with best times of PS > P (
< 0.05). Both plyometric groups improved their dynamic balance (p < 0.05), with three parameters of PS and only one of P being significantly greater than C. Static balance was also enhanced in both experimental groups (PS > P).
We conclude that for reasons that remain to be clarified, several performance measures in adolescent male handball players were increased more by 7 weeks of PS than by P.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a 10-week plyometric training (PT) on changes of direction, jumping ability, repeated sprint ability, and both muscular strength and power in ...youth female handball players.
Twenty-eight participants (age: 15.8 ± 0.2 years) were randomly divided into a plyometric group (PG;
= 14) or a control group (CG;
= 14). Significant (group × time) interaction was noted for change of direction (COD) Modified agility
-test (T-half), three jumping tests squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing long jump (SLJ), repeated sprint ability (RSA), muscular strength (1-RM bench press and 1-RM half squat) and muscular power (force-velocity test for both upper and lower limb).
With a group × time interaction, the PG enhanced the T-half performance
< 0.001, Δ = 10.4,
= 1.95 (large) compared to the CG. The PG enhanced the jump performance over SJ
= 0.009, Δ = 18.3,
= 0.72 (medium), CMJ
= 0.005, Δ = 20.7,
= 0.79 (medium) and SLJ
< 0.001, Δ = 24.5,
= 2.25 (large). Three of four RSA scores increased significantly in the PG compared to the CG
< 0.001, Δ = 2.76,
= 1.11 (large);
< 0.001, Δ = 2.72,
= 1.23 (large); and
< 0.001, Δ = 2.75,
= 1.21 (large), in best time (RSA-BT), mean time (RSA-MT) and total time (RSA-TT), respectively. In contrast, group × time interactions revealed no significant differences in both 1-RM bench press and 1-RM half squat performance between PG and CG. Regarding the force velocity performance, the PG enhanced 3 of 4 force velocity scores for the upper limb performance
< 0.001,
= 1 (large);
< 0.001,
= 1.13 (large) and
= 0.012,
= 0.72 (medium) for the peak power in these two forms (W and W·kg-1), and maximal pedalling velocity, respectively, and 2 of 4 force velocity scores for the lower limb performance
= 0.045,
= 0.56 (medium); and
= 0.021,
= 0.65 (medium) for the peak power in these two forms (W and W·kg-1), respectively.
It was concluded that additional PT performed two times per week during 10 weeks enhances measures related to game performance, such as COD, jump ability, RSA, and power in youth female handball players.
This study examined the effect of a 10-week programme of strength training with elastic band (STEB) on fitness components in young female handball players. Twenty-six young female handball players ...(aged 15.8 ± 0.2 years) from the same club participated in this study. They were randomly assigned between experimental (EG; n = 13) and control (CG; n = 13) groups. The EG performed the STEB, replacing some handball-specific drills in the regular handball training. The CG followed the regular handball training (i.e., mainly technical-tactical drills, small sided and simulated games, and injury prevention drills). Two-way analyses of variance were used to assess: handgrip; back extensor strength; medicine ball throw; 30 m sprint times; Modified Illinois change-of-direction (Illinois-MT); four jump tests: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA) and five-jump test (5JT); static (Stork test) and dynamic balance (Y Balance Test); and repeated sprint T-test (RSTT). Results revealed significant gains in handgrip - right (p < 0.001, d = 1.75: large), handgrip - left (p < 0.001, d = 2.52: large), back extensor (p < 0.001, d = 2.01: large), and medicine ball throw (p = 0.002, d = 0.95: large) with EG compared to the CG. The EG also demonstrated greater improvement in sprint performance over 20 m (Δ = 10.6%, p = 0.001, d = 1.07: large) and 30 m (Δ = 7.2%, p < 0.0001, d = 1.56: large) compared to the CG. The EG showed better Illinois-MT (Δ = 5.6%, p = 0.034, d = 0.62: medium) compared to the CG. Further, EG posted significant improvements in the SJ (Δ = 17.3%, p = 0.048, d = 0.58: medium), CMJ (Δ = 17.7%, p = 0.017 d = 0.71: medium), and CMJA (Δ = 16.3%, p = 0.019, d = 0.69: medium) compared to the CG. Similarly, the EG exhibited significant improvement in RSTT best time p = 0.025, d = 0.66 (medium), RSTT mean time p = 0.019, d = 0.69 (medium) and RSTT total time p = 0.019, d = 0.69 (medium) compared to the CG. In conclusion, the 10-week STEB improved the physical abilities in young female handball players.
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