Effects of supplemental jump and sprint exercise training on sand on athletic performance of male U17 handball players

• Published in: International journal of sports science & coaching 2022-04, Vol.17 (2), p.376-384
• Main Authors: Hammami, Mehrez, Gaamouri, Nawel, Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo, Aloui, Gaith, Shephard, Roy J, Hill, Lee, Knechtle, Beat, Chelly, Mohamed Souhaiel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1747-9541; 2048-397X
• DOI: 10.1177/17479541211025731

This controlled study investigated the effects of 7 weeks pre-season supplemental jump and sprint exercise training on sand (JSETS) on athletic ability in male handball players. Males (n = 40; 16.3 ± 0.4 years) were randomly assigned to a jump and sprint training (JSTG; n = 24) or a control (CG; n = 18) group. The JSETS replaced a part of the regular handball training of players. The tests included jumps (squat, counter-movement, and 5 jump tests), sprint times (5 m, 10 m and 20 m), agility (modified T and modified Illinois tests), repeated sprint T-test, and balance (standing stork and Y balance tests). JSTG showed relative to CG significant decreases in sprint times over all distances (5 m (p = 0.002, d = 0.735 (medium); 10 m (p = 0.012, d = 0.577 (medium) and 20 m (p = 0.012, d = 0.573 (medium)), and gains in both measures of agility (p = 0.001, d = 0.859 (large) and p = 0.004, d = 0.670 (medium) for T-Half and Illinois-tests respectively), and in jumping squat (p