Effectiveness of plyometric training in handball: impact on throwing power and speed

Abstract

Handball calls for a variety of athletic skills, but throwing force is crucial for passing, scoring, and gaining momentum. Plyometric training uses explosive exercises that increase muscular contraction speed and force to improve power and speed. The purpose of the study is to ascertain whether adding plyometric workouts to handball players' training regimens can enhance their throwing ability to a noticeable degree. The research utilized an experimental design with a pretest-posttest methodology for a single group. The Sambas district handball team, which consisted of 15 athletes, picked the participants, who were between the ages of 17 and 22. Plyometric training was the intervention, and it was done in three sessions a week for four weeks. The Medicine Ball Javelin Quadrathlo strength test was used to gather data, and SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. The research showed that the mean throwing power and speed had significantly increased, with improvements of 2.07 between the pretest and posttest values of 19.93 and 22.00, respectively. The significance value obtained was 0.000, indicating a statistically significant enhancement. The plyometric training was found to be highly effective in enhancing the explosive strength and neuromuscular coordination required for powerful and fast throws in handball. In conclusion, the findings suggest that incorporating plyometric training into the training programs of handball players can substantially improve their throwing performance. Coaches and trainers are recommended to integrate plyometric exercises to maximize the athletic potential of their players. Keywords: plyometric training, handball, throwing power, throwing speed, explosive strength, athletic performance