Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 3187 – 3190

WCES 2012

Jump shot performance and strength training in young team

handball players
Emel Cetin a *, Yeliz Ozdol b
a
Akdeniz University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Antalya, Turkey
b
Akdeniz University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Antalya,Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 12-week strength training on the jumping throw performance in young
handball players. 18 handball players (age:13.66±0.5 year; height:160.0±6.25 cm; weight: 49.0±8.97 kg) participated to the
study. The Training Group Program: A 12 week strength training and handball technical training program were supervised 3
times a week and each session was 60 min. Control Group Program: A 12 week handball technical training program were
supervised 3 times a week and each session was 60 min. Push up, vertical jump (VJ), performances and some kinematic
parameters (velocity (VCG) and height (hCG) of center of gravity) were evaluated before and after training program. For
kinematics parameters, performances were recorded with a camera (50Hz) and evaluated with Videopoint 2.0. program. There
were significant differences between before and after training program in push up and the height of center of gravity
parameters(p<0.05). But there is no significant differences found that vertical jump (VJ) and velocity of center of gravity (VCG)
(p>0.05).
©2012
© 2012Published
Publishedbyby Elsevier
Elsevier Ltd.Ltd.
Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Uzunboylu
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Keywords: Team handball, strength training, biomechanics

1. Introduction

Regular development starts with the beginning of the school age. Contrary to the sprint and throwing power, in
jumping power there is development which is in line with the maximal power and pushing power. Perhaps due to the
first leaping height increase, the change in horizontal jump power is more noticeable in comparison with vertical
jump. Extremity and muscle development forms the basis for later performance while increase in step frequency
reaches its peak value at the end of primary school period and following this period, it can only develop through
purposive training. Girls at the age of 12-13 are as successful as boys in vertical jump and long-jump. Later, boys'
jumping power shows a larger development than that of girls (Antonakopoulou et al., 2009).
Handball, which has millions of supporters and practitioners all over the world, is a sport which has become
widespread and received a lot of interest internationally. In European countries, this interest has made handball an
essential element of physical education.
Running speed and explosive power are important factor in competitive handball (Ohnjec et al., 2008; Granados
et al., 2007)According to Harre, in sports types (artistic gymnastics, skating, trampoline or swimming) 1. where
technical skills, are dominant, special power exercises should begin as early as the primary school period (Harre,

* Emel Çetin. Tel.: +90-242-3106818

E-mail address: [email protected]

1877-0428 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Uzunboylu
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.034
3188 Emel Cetin and Yeliz Ozdol / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 3187 – 3190

1982). However, in areas like sportive games and fight sports, multidimensional general power exercises must be
carried out ( et al., 2005).
The special power exercises should be carried out bearing in mind the continuity in power principle. In addition,
at these ages they maintain quick power development. To this end, usually general exercises are applied (eg.,
multidirectional jumps, explosive power and reaction time exercises, throw exercises). Quick power exercises
similar to branch-specific techniques are used as special power exercises ( et al., 2005).
The aim of this study is to identify the effect of jump and power trainings on 13-14 aged trained female handball
players' jump throwing performance.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Subjects

The participants were 18 female players from the Mediterranean Youth Sports Club Handball Team and they had

kg). Nine of the players (the experimental group) did technical trainings five days a week as well as strength
trainings three days a week for 12 weeks. The strength trainings were structured as 9 stations with 2 sets as
continuity in strength exercises as appropriate to the children's age. Before the trainings started, the players' vertical
jump performances, performances in throwing medicine ball and repetition numbers in stations were determined.
The trainings started with the repetition number of 12 and were raised to 20 repetitions 4 weeks later.
The subjects' height, weight and vertical jump test were measured before examination ( ). Each player's
three jump throwing performances were measured. In accordance with the rules of the handball game, each player
threw at the target which was at a 6m distance from the throwing line by speeding in three steps. The target point
was determined on the basis of the players' mean vertical jump distances. Players who use their right or left hand
chose the target point appropriate for themselves. A two-minute break was given between each trial of jump
throwing.
Jump performances were recorded video camera (50 Hz). Camera was placed in a matter that it could cover an
overarm throwing performance. Reflective signs were used to identify the fallowing anatomical landmarks (hip,
knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist). Some kinematic parameters (horizontal and vertical velocity of center of
mass (COM) before jump, velocity of COM at the highest point after jump) were calculated in Videopoint 2.0
movement analyzing program.

2.2.Training application

Beginning phase
Warm-up
Warm-up runs
Warm-up with a ball
Warm-up with an educational game
The main phase
Station Training for Strength: Along with the real warm-up and cooling phases, 9 station activities were done
for an hour over 2 sets and 12 repetitions. The rests took place during the station changes. The stations were
performed respectively in order to work out the upper extremity and lower extremity muscles, with the lower
extremity followed by the upper extremity. The repetition numbers were determined on the basis of the trials with
players in the stations. After the 4th week, the repetition numbers were raised to 15 (Faigenbaum & Westcott, 2000).

1. Station : Double-feet jump exercise over four 47 cm-long barriers (4 forward, 4 return)
2. Station : Lateral holding with a dumbbell of 1.5 kg (12-20 repeat)
3. Station : Jumping to the right and left over the medicine ball (12-20 repeat)
 Emel Cetin and Yeliz Ozdol / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 3187 – 3190 3189

4. Station : Push-ups 12-20 repeat)

5. Station : Jumping to the back and forth over the medicine ball
6. Station : Half-squat exercises with an empty bar of 5 kg (12-20 repeat)
7. Station : Back extension at waistline, over a box of 25 cm (12-20 repeat)
8. Station : Throw-in training with a 4 kg medicine ball from a 2-meter distance
9. Station : Crunch with the feet over a 25cm box (12-20 repeat)
Final Phase
Cooling down

2.1.2. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analyses and distributions of all study subjects were analyzed. A one-way ANOVA and Kruskal
Wallis test were applied by means of SPSS 10.01 ( & ).

3. Results

Subject characteristics of the experimental and control group are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Subjects characteristics

Groups Age(year) Height(cm) Weight(kg)

Control Group
Experimental Group

Before and after training program, push up test variables and vertical jump performances are shown in Table 2. A
significant difference was found between the pre-training and post-training push-up values (p<0.05). Although there
was an increase in the post-training vertical jump values, this difference was not found to be significant (p>0.05).

Table 2. Push-up test and vertical jump before and after training

Groups Pre-Training Post-Training

Push up
Vertical jump(cm) 29.10 6.59 32.70 6.73

The height of
It was observed that after the training handball players jumped 20 cm higher, starting from the last jump (p<0.05).
The velocity of COM was determined as 4.7
training. In terms of pre-training and post-training analysis, although there was no significant difference between the
horizontal and vertical velocity of COM as a group, an increase of 0.62 m/sec was recorded in post-group horizontal
velocity. However, this increase was not found to be significant (p>0,05).

Table 3. Kinematic variables before and after training

Groups Pre-Training Post-Training

h (m)
VCOMx(m/sec)
VCOMy(m/sec)
VCOM1(m/sec)
VCOM2(m/sec)

h: height of COM, VCOMx: horizontal velocity of COM before jump; VCOMy: vertical velocity of COM before jump; VCOM1: velocity of COM
before jump; VCOM2 : velocity of COM at the highest point after jump
3190 Emel Cetin and Yeliz Ozdol / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 3187 – 3190

4. Discussion and Conclusion

In the strength trainings performed 3 days a week in addition to players' handball technical trainings, COM was

in the pre-training and post-training, it was observed that after the training handball players jumped 20 cm higher,
starting from the last jump. This finding was also found to be significant (p<0.05).
During the last jumping stride, the COM velocity
ec after the training. In terms of pre-training and post-training analysis, although there was no
significant difference between the horizontal and vertical velocity of COM as a group, an increase of 0.62 m/sec was
recorded in post-group horizontal velocity. This was effective over the players' post-jumping velocity. The decrease
in COM's vertical velocity during the players' last jump stride may have stemmed from the brake during transition to
jumping. However, this increase was not found to be significant (p>0,05).
The throwing action has been investigated by many researchers and muscle strength was found to be the most
significant factor affecting the throw speed. In such a study, it was found out that the body flexors (abdominal
muscles: rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique muscles) have a significant role in the determination of
muscle strength and throwing speed (Eliasz, 1998); a significant difference was found between maximal ball speed
and other throw analyses during cross-step throw in. It was determined that the motor skill factors, the body's total
muscle strength, the power of the body flexors and the angular speed of the maximal arm (shoulder joint) were
definitely effective over the ball speed in the throw techniques analyzed (Campos et al., 1994; Tillaar & Ettema,
2003; Zapartidis et al., 2009). Trainers should take into account these characteristics and training program should
organize to improve the properties.

References

Antonakopoulou, S., Mavvidis, A., & Pilianidis, T. (2009). Evaluation of children 8-9 years old based on their physical abilities. Biology of
Exercise, 5.2, 5-12
Campos, J., Navarro, E., Vera, P., & Llobregat, R. (1994). Evaluation of kinematic parameters of javelin throwers in relation to performance. The
Use of three-dimensional data of the movement. Proceeding of the 12th International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports, 360-
362
Eliasz J. (1998). The relationship between throwing velocity and motor ability parameters of the high-performance handball players, ISBS, Poster
Presentation, Belqium
Faigenbaum, A., & Westcott,W. (2000). Strength and power for young athletes. Human Kinetics
Harre, D. (1982) Principles of sports training. Berlin: Sportverlag
Granados, C., Izquierdo, M., Ibanez, J., Bonnabau, H., Gorostiaga EM. (2007). Difference in physical fitness and throwing velocity among elite
and amateur female handball players. Int J Sports Med. 28:860-7
(2005).
Ohnjec, K., Vuleta, D., Milanovic, D., Gruic, I. (2008) Performance indicators of teams at the 2003 world handball championship for women in
Croatia. Kinesiology. 40:69-79
, K., & , V.(1995). Biyoistatistik.
Tillaar V.D., Ettema G. (2003) Influence of instruction on velocity and accuracy of overarm throwing, Percept Mot. Skills., Apr;96(2):423-34
Koltai, J. (1985). Javelin. In Payne, H. Athletes in action: the official IAAF book on track and field techniques. London, 263-293
Fiziksel uygunluk
Zapartidis, I., Skoufas, D., Vareltzis, I., Christodoulidis, T., Toganidis, T., Kororos, P. (2009). Factors I
nfluencing ball throwing velocity in young female handball players. The Open Sports Medicine Journal. 3:39-43