The Effects of Circuit Strength Training on the Development of Physical Fitness and Performance-Related Variables in Handball Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of circuit training on physical fitness in handball players. Subjects were randomly divided into a circuit strength training group (CT, n = 10) and a control group (CG, n = 9). Training sessions and matches were performed together, but during the 12-week intervention, the experimental group replaced part of the regular regimen with circuit strength training. Measures assessed in both groups before and after the intervention included: the agility T-half Test, the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, squat and countermovement jumps, 15 m and 30 m sprints, and strength tests for the bench press, pull over, and the half squat. The upper limb bench press and pull-over tests along with the lower limb back half squat were performed using a 1-repetition maximum protocol. Based on the intraclass correlation coefficient and excluding the agility T-test (ICC = 0.72), we found excellent relative reliability for all variables (intraclass correlation coefficient range: 0.85-0.96, SEM range: 0.03-3.00). For absolute reliability or coefficients of variation, 71% (5/7) of the variables were excellent (CV < 5%). The circuit strength training group showed significant interaction effects and relevant effect sizes for the 12-week training period (8/9, 89%), and the mean effect size for the CT was markedly higher (d = 1.3, range: 0.41 -2.76) than in the CG (d = -1.0, range: -0.73 -0.29). The largest improvements were in the Yo-Yo test (d = 2.76) and the squat jump (d = 2.05). These results show that a 12-week circuit strength training program is an effective method to increase handball-related performance characteristics.

Effects of Resistance Circuit-Based Training on Body Composition, Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Of these, 799 abstracts and titles were reviewed, 726 articles were deleted, and 73 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Finally, 45 studies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ] met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 58 experimental groups ( n = 897 participants) and 34 control groups ( n = 474 participants) ( Figure 1 ).…”

Effects of a 12-Week Change-of-Direction Sprints Training Program on Selected Physical and Physiological Parameters in Professional Basketball Male Players

“…An a priori power analysis (N.B., expected SD of residuals = 2 cm for CMJ and SJ, desired power = 0.80, and alpha error = 0.05) was computed to simulate a statistically significant group-by-time interaction effect for our primary outcome of jump performance [30]. The analysis revealed that a sample size of n = 8 per group would be sufficient to achieve medium-sized group-by-time interactions.…”

Relationship between fatness, physical fitness, and academic performance in normal weight and overweight schoolchild handball players in Qatar State

“…If the two readings were >2 mm different, a third reading was taken, and the nearest two readings averaged. Body fat percentage was estimated using the four-site method, and sex- and age-specific equations [ 22 ], which has previously been reported in young athletes [ 23 , 24 ]. The four sites used were biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds, using the below equation: …”