Effects of Sand Surface Plyometric and Sprint Training on Physical and Technical Skill Performance in Beach Handball Players.

Sáez de Villarreal, Eduardo; Bago Rascón, Pedro; Ortega Becerra, Manuel; Calleja-González, Julio; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; Feito-Blanco, Javier; Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo

This study compared the effects of a 6-week combined plyometric and sprint-training program on the sand to regular preseason training, on the athletic performance and technical actions of beach handball (BH) players. Athletes were randomly assigned either to the control (CG, n = 12; BH training only) or the experimental group (EG, n = 12; plyometric sprint BH training). Assessments conducted before and after the training period included a squat jump, a countermovement jump, the Abalakov jump, a 15-m sprint, a modified Course-Navette endurance test, and four sportspecific BH throwing speed tests: a standing penalty throw, a 3-step running throw, a jump throw, and a 360° jump throw. The training intervention enhanced all athletic performance measures (all, p < 0.05). In contrast, the only improvement in the CG included endurance performance (p < 0.05). Significant time-group differences were noted in favor of the EG compared to the CG (p < 0.05) in the squat jump, the countermovement jump, the Abalakov jump, the jump throw velocity and 360° jump throw velocity. In conclusion, compared to BH regular training, 6 weeks of sand surface preseason plyometric and sprint training combined with regular BH training induced greater improvements in athletic performance and specific skills in BH players.

Journal of Human Kinetics, 2024, Vol 90, p227

1640-5544

Academic Journal

10.5114/jhk/169519