Investigation of the effect application sequence of plyometric and explosive strength trainings on athletic performance in handball players

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the explosive power training before plyometric training or a vice versa sequence by comparing it during the 12-week training period. Method: 22 female athletes between the ages of 16-18 who play active handball participated in the research. Participants were randomly divided into two groups as explosive power training after plyometric training group (PLPK) and plyometric training group after explosive power training group (PKPL). In addition to the training routine of the participants, the PLPK group performed 6 weeks of explosive power training after 6 weeks of plyometric training, and the PKPL group performed 6 weeks of explosive power training, followed by 6 weeks of plyometric training. 20 m sprint, CMJ (countermovement jump), 1RM squat (1 repetition maximum squat test), reactive strength index (RSI), standing long jump (DUA), RAST (running-based anaerobic sprint test) and handball specific agility tests were applied before and after intervention period. Paired T-test was used to determine whether the change was different over time. In addition, the differences between the PKPL and PLPK groups for each measurement period were evaluated by the Independent samples T test. Shapirov test was used to evaulate homogeneity. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 20 package program and all statistical procedures were evaluated according to p<0,05 significance level. Findings: As a result of the analysis, no statistically significant difference was found in any performance parameter in the comparisons between the groups (p>0,05), and there was no change in the parameters related to the order of applications of plyometric training and explosive power training (RAST=0,06; 1RM Squat=0,54; DUA=0.40; Agility=0,05; RSI=0,09; CMJ=0.10; 20 meters Sprint=0,58). On the other hand, there was a significant difference in all the variables that were the subject of the research in both groups in the in-group comparisons (p<0,05). Conclusion: In the light of the findings of our study, plyometric training and explosive power training increased the performance data of the athletes and created a significant difference. The application of both training methods by changing their sequence in certain periods did not create a significant difference on the athletes we studied.