Optimizing the transition from the indoor to the beach season improves motor performance in elite beach handball players

Abstract Beach handball athletes experience an overlap during their preparation phase for the beach and indoor season several weeks. This transition from playing on surface to a sand is crucial players’ performance levels both surfaces, but coaches alike are concerned about possible impairments when training while still indoors. Therefore, we aimed evaluate effects of specific in elite athletes. With 29 participating study, evaluated jumping (countermovement drop jump) sprinting (5–10–20 m) performances conducted handball-specific agility test rigid surfaces. In addition, long jump surface. Vertical was analyzed using 3D marker-based system surfaces under standardized laboratory conditions. All tests took place directly before after 6-week intervention program. The results showed that group significantly improved compared control group. Furthermore, not only maintained all also increased countermovement jump. program effective at improving seasons without impairing performance.