Comparison of a Combined Strength and Handball-Specific Training vs. Isolated Strength Training in Handball Players Studying Physical Education.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of combined resistance training with handball-specific drills (CRT) versus resistance training without handball-specific drills (NSDT) on athletic performance in handball players.
Results Summary
Both CRT and NSDT groups showed significant improvements in sprint, throwing, and jump measures, with the largest effects observed in the NSDT group for squat jump and medicine ball throw. The greatest difference between groups was seen in jump shot performance, while repeated-sprint ability showed no difference between groups.
Population
22 male handball players studying physical education.
Effective Dosage
Twice per week training sessions.
Duration
10 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) | increase | numerous measures of athletic performance | handball students of physical education | - | improved | #1 |
combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) | increase | all sprint measures | male handball players who studied physical education | d ≥ 1.0 | significant intervention effects | #2 |
combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) | increase | all throwing measures | male handball players who studied physical education | d ≥ 1.0 | significant intervention effects | #3 |
combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) | increase | all jump measures | male handball players who studied physical education | d ≥ 1.0 | significant intervention effects | #4 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | increase | all sprint measures | male handball players who studied physical education | d ≥ 1.0 | significant intervention effects | #5 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | increase | all throwing measures | male handball players who studied physical education | d ≥ 1.0 | significant intervention effects | #6 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | increase | all jump measures | male handball players who studied physical education | d ≥ 1.0 | significant intervention effects | #7 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | increase | half back squats | male handball players who studied physical education | d = 0.48 | effect size lower than 0.5 | #8 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | increase | squat jump | male handball players who studied physical education | d = 6.20 | largest effects | #9 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | increase | medicine ball throw | male handball players who studied physical education | d = 6.07 | largest effects | #10 |
combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) | increase | jump shot | male handball players who studied physical education | η² = 0.748 | greatest difference between groups regarding performance development over time | #11 |
combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) | no change | RSAbest | male handball players who studied physical education | η² = 0.025 | no difference in performance development | #12 |
resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT) | no change | RSAbest | male handball players who studied physical education | η² = 0.025 | no difference in performance development | #13 |
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of combined resistance training including handball-specific drill (CRT) with resistance training excluding handball-specific drill training (NSDT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two male handball players who studied physical education were randomly assigned to two groups: CRT (combined resistance training with sport-specific drill; n = 12) and NSDT (resistance training without any sport-specific drill training; n = 10). Over a 10-week period during the competitive season, the players performed a specific training program twice per week, which replaced their normal team handball training. The CRT regimen consisted of a combined (associated) resistance training and handball-specific drill, whereas the NSDT program consisted of a resistance training without handball-specific drill (dissociated). Pre- and post-test measures included squat jump and countermovement jumps, bench press, back half squats, throwing velocity during a 3-step jump throw, and a jump shot, repeated-sprint ability (six 2 × 15-m shuttle sprints) (RSA), medicine ball throw and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: In both groups, significant intervention effects (d ≥ 1.0) were seen for all sprint (3/3), throwing (3/3) and jump (2/2) measures. Regarding maximal strength parameters, an effect size lower than 0.5 was only detected in the NSDT group for half back squats (d = 0.48). The largest effects were observed in the NSDT group for squat jump (d = 6.20) and medicine ball throw (d = 6.07). Interaction effects (group × time) were found for 50 % (5/10) of parameters. The greatest difference between groups regarding performance development over time was detected for jump shot (interaction effect: η² = 0.748). In contrast, there was no difference in performance development in both groups over time for RSAbest (interaction effect: η² = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that during the competitive season, 10 weeks of CRT with only two training sessions per week improved numerous measures of athletic performance in handball students of physical education. Such conditioning should be highly recommended as part of the annual training program of handball players.