Effects of upper extremity plyometrics on throwing velocity and isokinetic strength in team handball players

Introduction: Plyometric exercises are an effective training method for power and very important part of athletic performance. It would be beneficial for sports like team handball. Purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of upper extremity plyometrics on throwing velocity and isokinetic strength of shoulder rotators in team handball players.Methods: Twenty female handball players were volunteered to participate to this study. Anthropometric, upper extremity flexibility, VO2max, standing throwing velocity, 3-step throwing velocity and 90-300 º/s speeds consantric isokinetic shoulder internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) peak torque were assesed in before and after a plyometric training period. Plyometric group (PG) performed plyometric exercises in addition to their daily training twice a week for 6 weeks. Control group (KG) just performed their daily training.Results: Standing and 3-step throwing velocity improved statistically significant in both PG and KG (P<0,05). Isokinetic peak torques in IR300 º/s of dominant arm and ER90 º/s of non-dominant arm were significantly increased in PG (P<0,05). Also, isokinetic peak torque in IR300 º/s and ER300 º/s of dominant arm and IR00 of non-dominant arm were significantly increased KG (P<0,05). Threre was a significant correlation between standing and 3-step throwing velocities (r= 0,51, P=0,021). Also, there were significant correlation between standing throwing velocity and peak torques in both IR90 º/s and IR300 º/s (r=0,560 P=0,010, and r=0,523 P=0,018 respectively). There was a significant correlation between peak torque in ER90 º/s and 3-step throwing velocity (r=0,493 P=0,027).Discussion: No significant improvements were shown after six weeks plyometric exercise in female handball players. Plyometric exercises may be used as an alternative exercise in spesific sports including throwing movements.Key words: Plyometrics, team handball, throwing velocity, isokinetic, shoulder rotators