Effects of 4-week training with balls of different weights on throwing velocity in handball players

Abstract

This study compared the effects of training programs based on the repetition of specific throws and non-specific throws with different loads to determine their relationship to throwing velocity in handball players. Twenty-four handball players (age: 21.3 ± 3.5 years; body mass: 83.7 ± 13.5 kg; height: 182 ± 8.4 cm) with experience in this sport (years of experience: 11.5 ± 4.2 years) were divided into 3 groups, each group undertaking a training program with different loads (medicine ball, specific handball ball or tennis ball). Throw velocity was assessed in standing throws from 7 m and 3-step jump throws from 9 m. The results show no significant differences in throw velocity from pretest to posttest between the different experimental groups after participating in the training programs for 4 weeks, indicating that this training period may be too short to induce significant change.