Plyometric Training Improves Not Only Measures of Linear Speed, Power, and Change-of-Direction Speed But Also Repeated Sprint Ability in Young Female Handball Players

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 35; no. 8; pp. 2230 - 2235
• Main Authors: Chaabene, Helmi, Negra, Yassine, Moran, Jason, Prieske, Olaf, Sammoud, Senda, Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo, Granacher, Urs
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 01-08-2021; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Handball; Jumping; Physical fitness; Physical training
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003128

Abstract Chaabene, H, Negra, Y, Moran, J, Prieske, O, Sammoud, S, Ramirez-Campillo, R, and Granacher, U. Plyometric training improves not only measures of linear speed, power, and change-of-direction speed but also repeated sprint ability in young female handball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2230–2235, 2021—This study examined the effects of an 8-week plyometric training (PT) program on components of physical fitness in young female handball players. Twenty-one female adolescent handball players were assigned to an experimental group (EG, n = 12; age = 15.9 ± 0.2 years) or an active control group (CG, n = 9, age = 15.9 ± 0.3 years). While EG performed plyometric exercises in replacement of some handball-specific drills, CG maintained the regular training schedule. Baseline and follow-up tests were performed for the assessment of linear speed (i.e., 5-, 10-, and 20-m time), change-of-direction (CoD) speed (i.e., T-test time), muscle power (i.e., countermovement jump [CMJ] height and reactive strength index [RSI]), and repeated sprint ability (RSA) (RSA total time [RSA total ], RSA best time [RSA best ], and RSA fatigue index [RSA FI ]). Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. Within-group analyses for the EG revealed moderate-to-large improvements for the 5-m (effect size [ES] = 0.81 [0.1–1.5]), 10-m sprint time (ES = 0.84 [0.1–1.5]), RSI (ES = 0.75 [0.1–1.4]), RSA FI (ES = 0.65 [0.0–1.3]), and T-test time (ES = 1.46 [0.7–2.2]). Trivial-to-small ES was observed for RSA best (ES = 0.18 [−0.5 to 0.9]), RSA total (ES = 0.45 [−0.2 to 1.1]), 20-m sprint time (ES = 0.56 [−0.1 to 1.2]), and CMJ height (ES = 0.57 [−0.1 to 1.3]). For the CG, within-group analyses showed a moderate performance decline for T-test time (ES = −0.71 [−1.5 to 0.1]), small decreases for 5-m sprint time (ES = −0.46 [−1.2 to 0.3]), and a trivial decline for 10-m (ES = −0.10 [−0.9 to 0.7]) and 20-m sprint times (ES = −0.16 [−0.9 to 0.6]), RSA total (ES = 0.0 [−0.8 to 0.8]), and RSA best (ES = −0.20 [−0.9 to 0.6]). The control group achieved trivial-to-small improvements for CMJ height (ES = 0.10 [−0.68 to 0.87]) and RSI (ES = 0.30 [−0.5 to 1.1]). In conclusion, a short-term in-season PT program, in replacement of handball-specific drills, is effective in improving measures of physical fitness (i.e., linear/CoD speed, jumping, and RSA) in young female handball players.