Effect of traditional and resisted sprint training in highly-trained, female team handball players

Abstract

Fast acceleration is an important performance factor in handball. In addition to traditional sprint training (TST), resisted sprint training (RST) is a method often used to improve acceleration. However, studies on RST show conflicting results, and underlying mechanisms are not studied. Purpose: To compare the effects of RST, by sled towing, against traditional sprint training on sprint performance and muscle architecture. Methods: Participants (n=18) were assigned to either RST or TST and completed two training sessions of RST or TST per week (10 weeks), in addition to their normal team training. Sprint-tests (10-m and 30-m) and measurements of muscle architecture were performed pre- and post-training. Results: Beneficial effects were found in the 30-m sprint test (mean; ±90% CL) for both groups (TST=-0.31; ±0.19 s, RST=-0.16; ±0.13 s), with unclear differences between the groups. Only TST had a beneficial effect on 10-m time (-0.04; ±0.04 s), with a likely difference between the two groups (85 %, ES= 0.60). Both groups had a decrease in pennation angle (-6.0; ±3.3% for TST and -2.8; ±2.0% for RST), which had a nearly perfect correlation with percentage change in 10-m sprint performance (r=0.92). A small increase in fascicle length (5.3; ±3.9% and 4.0; ±2.1% for TST and RST, respectively) was found, with unclear differences between groups. Discussion: TST appears to be more effective than RST in enhancing 10-m sprint time. Both groups showed similar effects in 30-m sprint time. A similar, yet small, effect of sprint training on muscle architecture was observed in both groups.