AUTHOR=Gaamouri Nawel , Hammami Mehrez , Cherni Yosser , Oranchuk Dustin J. , Bragazzi Nicola , Knechtle Beat , Chelly Mohamed Souhaiel , van den Tillaar Roland 

TITLE=The effects of upper and lower limb elastic band training on the change of direction, jump, power, strength and repeated sprint ability performance in adolescent female handball players

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1021757

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2023.1021757

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to examine the effects of incorporating 10-week elastic band strength training (EBST) program on change of direction, jumping ability, repeated sprint ability, and both muscular strength and power in adolescent female handball players. Participants aged 15.8 ± 0.2 years were divided by playing position, and players from each position were then randomly assigned between the elastic strength (<italic>n</italic> = 17) and control (<italic>n</italic> = 17) groups. The experimental group performed periodized upper and lower-body elastic band strength training twice weekly for ten weeks by substitution of some of their regular physical and game preparation. The control group only performed regular handball training. Two-way analyses of variance (group × time) assessed change of direction (COD) <italic>via</italic> the modified <italic>t</italic>-agility test, squat jump, countermovement jump, standing long jump, repeated sprint ability (RSA), 1-RM bench press and half squat, and cycle ergometer force-velocity tests for both upper and lower limbs. Relative to the control group, the experimental group enhanced COD performance [<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001; Cohen's effect size (d) = 1.00]; squat and countermovement jump (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002, d ≥ 0.83), best, mean, and total RSA scores (all <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001, d = 0.92–1.66), 1-RM bench press (<italic>p</italic> = 0.02, d = 0.59) and half squat (<italic>p</italic> = 0.009, d = 0.67), all indices of upper limb force-velocity performance (<italic>p</italic> ≤ 0.025, d = 0.56–1.66), and 3 of 4 indices of lower limb force-velocity performance (<italic>p</italic> ≤ 0.004, d = 0.75–0.92). We conclude that additional elastic band training performed twice a week for ten weeks improves measures relevant to handball game performance in adolescent female athletes.</p>