Effects of an entire season on physical fitness changes in elite male handball players

Purpose: Fifteen elite male handball players were studied to examine the effects of an entire season of play on physical fitness and throwing velocity. Methods: One repetition maximal bench press (1RM(BP)), jumping explosive strength, power-load relationship of the leg and arm extensor muscles, 5- and 15-m sprint running time, endurance running, and handball throwing velocity (standing and three-step running throw) were assessed on four tunes (T1, T2, T3, and T4). during a 45-wk season. Individual volumes and intensities of training and competition were quantified for I I activities. Results: From T I to T3. significant increases occurred in free fatty mass (1.4%), IRMBP (1.9%), standing throwing velocity (6.5%), and three-step throwing velocity (6.2%). No significant changes were observed throughout the season in endurance running and explosive strength-related variables. Significant correlations (P < 0.05-0.01) were observed between strength training time and changes in standing throwing velocity as well as between high-intensity endurance training time and changes in endurance running. In addition, linear inverse relationships were observed between low-intensity endurance training time and changes in muscle power output of the lower extremities. Conclusion: The handball season resulted in significant increases in maximal and specific strength of the upper-extremity but not in the lower-extremity actions. The correlations observed suggest that training time at low intensity should be given less attention. whereas the training stimuli for high-intensity endurance running and leg strength training should be given more careful attention in the full training season program.