The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined program including sprint repetitions and drop jump training in the same session on male handball players.Twenty-two male handball players aged more than 20 years were assigned into 2 groups: experimental group (n=11) and control group (n=11). Selection was based on variables axis and lines, goalkeepers were not included. The experimental group was subjected to 2 testing periods (test and retest) separated by 12 weeks of an additional combined plyometric and running speed training program. The control group performed the usual handball training. The testing period comprised, at the first day, a medical checking, anthropometric measurements and an incremental exercise test called yo-yo intermittent recovery test. 2 days later, participants performed the Repeated Sprint Ability test (RSA), and performed the Jumping Performance using 3 different events: Squat jump (SJ), Countermovement jump without (CMJ) and with arms (CMJA), and Drop jump (DJ). At the end of the training period, participants performed again the repeated sprint ability test, and the jumping performance.The conventional combined program improved the explosive force ability of handball players in CMJ (P=0.01), CMJA (P=0.01) and DJR (P=0.03). The change was 2.78, 2.42 and 2.62% respectively. No significant changes were noted in performances of the experimental group at the squat jump test and the drop jump with the left leg test. The training intervention also improved the running speed ability of the experimental group (P=0.003). No statistical differences were observed between lines or axes.Additional combined training program between sprint repetition and vertical jump in the same training session positively influence the jumping ability and the sprint ability of handball players.

The structural appearance of each disabled athlete or the shape of their body, as determined by their individual genotype and influenced by the environment, considerably affects their technical and physical performance. This study sought to examine the morphological characteristics of elite track and field athletes with different disabilities, including their possible effects on physical and physiological performance. A total of 66 male elite athletes with cerebral palsy (n = 12), upper arm amputation (n = 12), short stature (n = 20), or intellectual disability (n = 22) were included. For each athlete, height, weight, sitting height, arm span and four skin folds were assessed; ape index, body mass index, body fat percentage, fat mass, fat mass index and fat-free mass values were calculated; and vertical jump, drop jump, countermovement jump, squat jump, repeated sprint ability and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 tests were performed. Significant differences were noticed between short stature and the other groups concerning morphological characteristics, however, the best motor performance was observed in amputees and, to a lesser degree, in short stature. In the top performing athletes, physical performance was significantly correlated with body mass index and fat mass index for amputees, and with arm span, ape index, body fat percentage and fat mass index for short stature. Regression analysis revealed that regardless of disability type, physical and physiological performance (except maximum heart rate) were significantly influenced primarily by adipose tissue-specific variables. A significant effect of height, weight, fat free mass, arm span, sitting height, and ape index on drop jump performance with left leg, maximal oxygen consumption, and maximum heart rate was also noticed. The type of disability affects performance in the squat jump and vertical jump tests, and to a lesser extent in the countermovement jump test.

An integrated treatment based on dieting, physical training and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy is an effective tool to reduce obesity and its consequences. However, the feasibility of this approach is problematic. This study aims to compare two multidisciplinary programs used to improve weight loss. Fifty-two obese individuals were subjected to an Enhanced Lifestyle Counselling associated with, according to their own choice, dieting (N = 11), or dieting + aerobic training (n = 18), or dieting + resistance training program (n = 23). The study experiment spanned 16 weeks divided into two phases. The first phase lasted 04 weeks and was oriented to enhance motivation and establishing changes in behaviours related to dietary and sedentary lifestyle. The second phase lasted 12 weeks and was oriented to add aerobic or resistance training. Body compositions, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and cardio-respiratory fitness were assessed. Data demonstrated that all obesity treatment programs were able to improve all studied variables. Weight loss levels were -6.03 ± 2.08, -10.5 ± 2.33, and -9.37 ± 1.99 kg in Dieting, DAT and DRT groups, respectively. Our results noted also that exercise training could play an important role in reducing obesity and its consequences. Nevertheless, modifications were more important in DRT at the explosivity and muscle strength and in DAT at fat percentage, aerobic capacity, SA, and CVR factors. The current evidence noted that both multidisciplinary weight loss programs were efficient in the treatment of obesity and its comorbidity. Moreover, the use of aerobic exercises was more effective in reducing body fat and improving cardiorespiratory fitness. However, using resistance exercises appeared to be more appropriate to enhance the muscle potential.

The purpose of this study was to describe the body structure and morphological characteristics of Tunisian elite handball players, and to determine the effect of these variables on functional and physical performance levels.A sample of 42 male handball players (mean age 21.983.24 years; training duration 12 years) at international level was submitted to a test battery comprising morphological, physical and physiological assessments. Tests were yo-yo intermittent recovery test, squat jump test, countermovement jump test, vertical-jump test, and Repeated sprint Ability. Measures for assessment of anthropometric characteristics were age, size, weight, body mass index, body fat, fat mass and thin mass.Weight was negatively correlated to the squat jump and the countermovement jump performance. Age, weight, and body composition measures (fat and thin body mass) were additionally negatively related to the maximal oxygen uptake, and to the maximal velocity obtained in the Yo-Yo recovery test. No relationship was found between size, body mass index, body fat and the physical abilities considered. Concerning the effects of physical characteristics on the functional performances, we can note a positive relationship between squat jump, countermovement jump, and the yo-yo recovery test performance. No relationship was found between vertical jump, repeated sprint ability, and the physiological performances.Study results point to the existence of strong correlation between morphological and physical characteristics with functional characteristics. In handball, it is possible to have a reliable estimate of anthropometric measurements, physical and physiological performances.

Khammassi, M, Ouerghi, N, Said, M, Feki, M, Khammassi, Y, Pereira, B, Thivel, D, and Bouassida, A. Continuous moderate-intensity but not high-intensity interval training improves immune function biomarkers in healthy young men. J Strength Cond Res 34(1): 249–256, 2020—Effects of endurance running methods on hematological profile are still poorly known. This study aimed to compare the effects of 2 training regimes; high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) performed at the same external load on hematological biomarkers in active young men. Sixteen men aged 18–20 years were randomly assigned to HIIT or MCT group. Aerobic capacity and hematological biomarkers were assessed before and after 9 weeks of interventions. At baseline, aerobic and hematological parameters were similar for the 2 groups. After intervention, no significant change was observed in maximal aerobic velocity and estimated Vo ₂max in both groups. Leukocyte (p < 0.01), lymphocyte (p < 0.05), neutrophil (p < 0.05), and monocyte (p < 0.01) count showed significant improvements in response to the MCT compared with the HIIT intervention. The MCT intervention favored an increase in the number of immune cells, whereas the opposite occurred as a result of the HIIT intervention. These findings suggest that MCT interventions might be superior to HIIT regimes in improving immune function in active young men.

This study aimed to determine the effects of either aerobic training (AT) or resistance training (RT) or both (A+RT) on obesity and its comorbidities in young adults. A total of 61 participants, aged 21.74 ± 1.42 years and with a body mass (BM) index (BMI) of 36.21 ± 2.43 kg/m², were randomized for 12 weeks into control (CONT, n = 15), AT (n = 15), RT (n = 16), and A+RT (n = 15) groups. BM, body composition, and cardiovascular disease risk factors were assessed before and after intervention. BM did not change in the CONT and RT groups but decreased significantly by 7.5 kg in the AT (p ≤ 0.05) and 8.82 kg in the A+RT (p ≤ 0.05) groups, respectively. Significant reductions were also noted in waist circumference, BMI, and body fat percentage in the exercising groups. The most significant variations were in the A+RT group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were increased after A+RT by 2.39 mg/dL. Significant reductions were also noted in very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentrations (−2.84 mg/dL) in the A+RT group. AT alone is effective in improving BM and body composition, while RT alone improves the body composition and A+RT ensures better outcomes concerning BM, body composition, HDL-C, and VLDL-C. Novelty: Aerobic training alone is effective in improving BM and body composition. Resistance training alone improves the body composition. The combination of aerobic and resistance exercises ensures better outcomes for BM, body composition, HDL-C, and VLDL-C.