Relationship between Explosive Performance Measurements of the Lower Limb and Repeated Shuttle-Sprint Ability in Elite Adolescent Handball Players

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between performance measures of the lower-limb and repeated shuttle-sprint ability (RSSA) in elite adolescent handball players. Twenty-two male handball players (age: 17.7 ± 0.3 years) participated in the study. Subjects underwent measurements of lower-limb maximal strength (1-RM half back squat), explosive power (force-velocity test), jumping ability (squat and counter-movement jumps), sprinting velocities over the first step (V S ) and the first 5 m (V 5 ) of a 15 m sprint, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, Level 1. The players were tested for RSSA using a protocol of 6 repetitions of maximal 2 x 15-m shuttle sprints with 180° turns (~6 s) departing every 20 s. RSSA results were evaluated in three ways: best time in a single trial (RSSA best ), decrement (RSSA dec ) and total time (RSSA TT ). The correlations of RSSA with the assorted fitness measures varied considerably. The RSSA TT and RSSA dec were positively associated with 1-RM half back squat (r = 0.78 and r = 0.68 respectively; p< 0.01). Significant correlations were also found between RSSA TT and Reviewer:Michael Chia (Nangyang Technological University, Singapore) Consequently, the assessment and development of traditional fitness parameters, such as explosive strength and anaerobic power, is a common handball practice, especially during the in-season competitive period [6,7]. Based on game time-motion analysis, RSA has strong ecological validity and is believed to be an important fitness component of many team sports, including handball (28, 32). For this reason, several different tests are used by sport scientists and coaches to assess the physical performance of handball players [1,6,7]. These tests include the assessment of sprint and repeated shuttle-sprint ability (RSSA), and muscular power [1]. The ability to recover and reproduce performance in subsequent sprints, termed repeated-sprint ability, is believed to be a specific fitness requirement of handball and other team sport athletes [1,8]. Therefore, the relevance of RSSA tests for handball is mainly based on their ecological validity as these tests require the repetition of handball-specific high-intensity activities (i.e., repeated sprints with or without directional changes) and similar metabolic requirements [8]. Therefore, in handball it seems logical to evaluate the athletes' ability to repeatedly perform intense exercise and with that his/her potential to recover from intensive efforts. The relevance of RSA tests for handball is mainly based on their perceived ecological validity and the belief that these tests mimic the demands of competitive play. Replicating game demands during repeated-sprint sequences appears crucial regarding testing and training specificity [5,9]. In addition, handball-specific RSSA test protocols have been recently presented [1,4,10].Because RSSA is considered a critical factor for performance in handball, strength and conditioning coaches are interested in how to develop this quality in their athletes. In or...

Relationships between maximal strength of lower limb, anthropometric characteristics and fundamental explosive performance in handball players

“…A few studies have used more sensitive measures, such as the height and power developed during a jump task, and all have reported stronger correlations with sprint performance at shorter distances [23]. Others have described significant correlations between vertical jump and sprint speed [5,23,24] and 1-RM half back-squat score and sprint velocity for short distances [25]. Consequently, handball coaches do not have to train all these qualities separately, by improving the 1-RM half back-squat score they could enhance jump and sprint performance too.…”

“…The results of the present investigation show that the ability to jump vertically (SJ and CMJ) is closely related to the ability to perform a RSA test. We had expected these two qualities would be related because of other reports showing relationships between sprint and jump performance [5,19].…”

“…Besides technical and tactical skills, it has been argued that physical capacities like muscular strength and power are the factors most critical to performance in elite team-handball players [3,4]. The ability to repeat multiple sprints at high speed is also important [5]; during a match, players perform approximately 50 turns, with a need to sustain forceful muscle contractions in maintaining balance and control of the ball against tackles [2].…”

“…Various strength and anthropometric variables have been examined as a means of evaluating the effects of training [3,5], in order to select athletes [6] and to predict their performance capacity [7]. Standard strength tests (e. g., 1-RM, maximum isometric voluntary force and rate of force development), anthropometric characteristics, and sprint tests have shown both strong [8 -10] and weak correlations [11,12] with performance, with relationships varying from one sport to another and across different levels of skill and experience.…”

Differences in Explosive Strength of Elite Female Handball Players During the Competition Season

“…The application of various means and methods for improving the explosive strength of jumps has had positive results in working with younger players as well as with top-ranked male and female handball players. The most commonly used method for improving jump height among handball players is the plyometric method (Hammami, Gaamouri, Aloui, Shephard, & Chelly, 2018;Hermassi et al, 2014a;Carvalho et al, 2014;Ghuman & Godara, 2013), followed by neuromuscular and proprioceptive training (Gioftsidou et al, 2012;Chappell & Limpisvasti, 2008;Šimek-Šalaj, Milanović, & Jukić, 2007;Holm et al, 2004), and, finally, maximum strength training (Carvalho, et al, 2014;Hoff & Almasbakk, 1995).…”