Speed Improves With Eccentric Hamstring Training in Athletes of Different Maturity Status

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Athletic performance in European handball relies on explosive power, speed, and agility.
• Understanding the impact of targeted training interventions on performance metrics is crucial for athlete development.
• Maturity status can influence training adaptations in young athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an eccentric hamstring strength training (EHT) program.
• To assess EHT's impact on sprint performance (10-, 20-, 30-m sprints) and change of direction speed (4x5m shuttle, T-Half test).
• To investigate these effects in male European handball athletes at pre-peak height velocity (PHV) and post-PHV maturity statuses.

Main Methods:

• Forty-five male European handball athletes were divided into pre-PHV and post-PHV groups.
• Participants were randomly assigned to either a control or an intervention group.
• The intervention group completed a 6-week EHT program (2 days/week, 5 exercises); a mixed-model ANOVA was used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements (P < .05) in T-Half, 10-m, and 30-m tests were observed due to the interaction of time, maturity, and training.
• Both intervention groups showed significant improvements across most tests, with notable gains between 0.93% and 5.74% (effect size: 0.07-0.79).
• Control groups exhibited no significant performance improvements; differences between pre-PHV and post-PHV intervention groups were not significant.

Conclusions:

• An EHT program, when combined with regular European handball training, enhances sprint and change of direction capabilities in both pre-PHV and post-PHV male athletes.
• The findings suggest that EHT should be considered a valuable component of training for European handball players and similar team-sport athletes, irrespective of their developmental stage.
• Eccentric hamstring training offers performance benefits for young male handball players, supporting its integration into training regimens.