Effects of Elastic Band Plyometric Training on Physical Performance of Team Handball Players

This project investigated the effect of incorporating 8 weeks biweekly upper limb loaded plyometric training (using elastic bands) into in-season regimen handball players. Participants were randomly allocated to a control group (CG) (n = 15, age 18.1 ± 0.5 years, body mass 73.7 13.9 kg), or an experimental (EG) 14, 17.7 0.3 76.8 10.7 kg). The measurements obtained pre- and post-intervention included cycle ergometer force–velocity test, ball throwing velocity in three types throwing, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press pull-over, anthropometric estimates muscle volumes. EG improved absolute power (W) (Δ23.3%; interaction p 0.032 more than pre-intervention), relative (W·kg−1) (Δ22.3%; 0.024), all (Δ18.6%, 0.019 on jumping shot; Δ18.6%, 0.017 three-step running throw; Δ19.1%, 0.046 standing throw). There was no for 1-RM pull-over performance. volumes remained unchanged both groups. We concluded that adding band standard improves velocity. Accordingly, such exercises should be adopted as part pragmatic approach training.