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To assess the influence of age and skill level on handball throwing kinematics and performance, 126 participants were distributed into groups according to their skill level (elite or recreational) and age group (U12, U16 or +18). Each participant performed three sets of 10 throws, aiming to hit a target (40 × 40 cm) located in the right corner of the goal. During testing, kinematic data were recorded and throwing performance (accuracy and velocity) was measured. Results showed greater throwing velocity in the elite compared to recreational groups, whereas no differences were found for throwing accuracy. The elite U16 and +18 groups displayed higher segment velocities (hand, arm and pelvis) than the recreational groups. The participation of proximal segments was higher in older groups, showing the more skilled players (U16 and +18) greater pelvis velocities (1.62–1.75 vs 1.02–1.22 m/s). The increased velocity of the distal joints (hand peak velocity: 13.56 ± 1.65 vs 10.67 ± 1.98 m/s) are responsible for the difference in throwing velocity between the elite and recreational U12 groups. Several correlations were found between joint kinematics and throwing velocity. Coaches could use these results during training, to optimise specific throwing training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A main goal of programming is to structure the optimal variations in training factors to optimize athletes' adaptations. Nevertheless, it remains unknown the optimal programming model leading to greater neuromuscular adaptations. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of three different magnitudes of variability within resistance training programs on performance adaptations. Methods: Forty participants were assigned to three different groups differing in the frequency of change in training contents: a weekly model (WM; n = 12), a daily model (DM; n= 14), and a session model (SM; n = 14). The training intervention lasted for six weeks, performing two sessions per week of back-squat exercise. Total training load (volume and intensity) of the six-week intervention was equated for all groups. Maximum dynamic strength (1RM) in the back-squat, countermovement (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) were measured pre- and post-training intervention. Results: All groups showed significant increases (p<.05) in 1RM, with the SM showing greater increases than the WM (20.5 vs 13.6%; p=.022). Although not reaching statistical significance, the magnitude of the increases in CMJ tended to be greater for DM and SM group (9.5% and 8.1%, respectively,) than in the WM (4.4%). All groups showed similar increases in the SJ (7.7–9.9%). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the use of more frequent stimuli variations within resistance training programming is a key factor to achieve concomitant increases in strength and jumping performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the effects of different inertial loads on power production and power maintenance, as well as the number of sessions required for proper familiarization during the flywheel quarter-squat. Methods: Twenty-four high-level handball players attended 4 testing sessions consisting of 4 sets of 10 repetitions using 4 different inertial loads (0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg⋅m²). In addition, a 5th set of 15 repetitions was performed. Both concentric and eccentric peak power and the eccentric: concentric ratio were recorded. Results: The results showed the need to perform 3 sessions for a proper familiarization (ie, outcomes stabilization). The inertial load of 0.025 kg⋅m² led to greater concentric peak power compared with the other inertial loads (from likely to most likely greater values). Both 0.025 and 0.050 kg⋅m² inertial loads entailed greater eccentric peak power compared with 0.075 and 0.100 kg⋅m² (most likely greater). Conversely, the 0.025-kg⋅m² inertial load showed a lower eccentric: concentric ratio, presenting negative effects (most likely lower values) compared with the inertial loads of 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg⋅m². Participants were able to perform 5-12 repetitions per set without significant peak power output decrements. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of performing at least 3 sessions to obtain a stable measure during flywheel squat exercise. Lower inertial loads (0.025 kg⋅m²) are the better option for eliciting high concentric peak power output values. In contrast, medium to high inertial loads are more appropriate to achieve greater eccentric overload values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furthermore, in the present study, the sprint test was better linked to traditional COD tests (i.e., 505) than to the On-Court COD test, suggesting than the inclusion of specific lower-limb movements along with badminton mock shots makes the On-Court COD test a very specific COD measurement. Keywords: racket sports; specific movement; neuromuscular performance; testing EN racket sports specific movement neuromuscular performance testing 155 164 10 04/29/22 20220415 NES 220415 Introduction As an intermittent sport, badminton is characterized by repetitive short periods of exercise (i.e., 1-9 s) and recovery (i.e., low intensity activities such as standing and walking for 6-15s) interspersed with longer breaks in play (i.e., "time outs" of 120s between games) ([33]). The excellent reliability of the On-Court COD test agrees with previous research revealing that certain specific badminton COD tests are highly reproducible ([6]; [32]), supporting its use in badminton fitness testing batteries. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study is to investigate inter-tester and intra-tester reliability of a novel clam test (CLAMT) for the measurement of gluteal muscle strength and to detect possible differences between CLAMT values in football players with and without a history of groin injuries. Twenty male football players participated in the test-retest and sixty-two male professional football players participated in the case–control study. Hip abductor maximal muscle strength was evaluated either using CLAMT or in a supine position with the hip in a neutral pose. For CLAMT, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for inter-tester-intra-day reliability was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.60–0.90), with a standard error of measurement of 34.2 N. The intra-tester-intra-day ICC was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87–0.95), with a standard error of measurement of 23.6 N. The inter-week ICC was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92–0.98), with a standard error of measurement of 18.9 N. CLAMT showed lower (but not significant) strength values in football players with a history of groin injuries to non-injured players. CLAMT showed good to excellent levels of reliability, intraday and inter-week, with low standard errors of measurement while it was effective (possible) to identify residual weakness in players with previous groin injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to examine the effect of flywheel resistance training (FRT) on main sport action (i.e., jumping performance, sprinting time and change of direction performance) improvements in athletes and healthy active people. A Boolean search strategy adapted for each of the databases employed was conducted to identify all studies measuring change in sport actions performance after FRT interventions up to July 2019. Outcomes were analysed using an average effect size (D+) and a 95% confidence interval (CI), which was calculated assuming a random-effects model. A total of 9 studies with 283 participants met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the analysis. The mean quality score (PEDro scale) of the articles included in the meta-analysis was 5.67. The meta-analysis showed significant positive effects on jumping performance (SMC 0.65; 95% CI, 0.11-1.19; p = 0.02), sprinting time (SMC 1.33; 95% CI, 0.39-2.28; p < 0.01) and change of direction performance (SMC 1.36; 95% CI, 0.58-2.14; p < 0.01) after FRT interventions compared to control/traditional resistance training groups. The results of the present meta-analysis provide evidence of the usefulness of FRT to improve variables related to sport performance in both athletes and healthy population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to compare block periodization (BP) and daily undulating periodization (DUP) in eliciting changes in strength, jumping performance and throwing velocity in young male handball players. Fifteen players, of the same competitive level, were assigned to one of the periodization groups (DUP=9; BP=6). Pre- and post-tests included a one repetition maximum (1 RM) back squat, countermovement jump (CMJ), triple jump with the left and right leg, 20 m speed test, standing medicine ball throw, 7 m standing throw, and 9 m jumping throw. Strength training was performed twice a week throughout an 8-week period. The BP group performed training phases in the following order: hypertrophy, power strength and explosive strength; DUP alternated every week two sessions with a different focus. Total volume and intensity during the 8-week period were equal in both training groups. Despite both groups significantly improved 1 RM squat (33.3%, effect size [ES]=1.48 for DUP and 17.4%, ES=1.40 for BP) and triple jump (4-6.3%, ES=0.32- 0.51 for DUP and 9.7-12.7%, ES=1.40 for BP) performance, greater gains (ES=0.96) were detected in DUP for the 9 m throwing velocity. No significant changes were found in either group for the 20 m sprint and CMJ. It can be concluded that both periodization programs elicited significant improvements in maximal strength and jumping performance in young male handball players, while DUP was more effective than BP on throwing velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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