Eters during maximum speed phase in sprinters. Twenty-one men sprinters volunteered to participate at the beginning of the preparation training phase. All tests-including 100-m sprint running, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), 60-second repetitive jump (RJ), standing long jump (SLJ), standing triple jump (STJ), standing quintuple jump (SQJ), and standing 10-stride jump (STENJ)-were done on switching mats. Flight (FT) and contact times (CT) during the vertical jump tests and 10-m split times during 100-m sprint running were measured by a 2-channel precision timing system (PTS) connected to the mats. The trace marking method was used for measuring the stride length (SL) through 60 m in 100-m sprint running. Stride frequency (SF), maximum velocity (Vmax), jump height for all vertical jumps, and lower-body power in DJ and RJ were calculated. Statistical analysis showed that the highest significant correlation was found between Vmax and DJ height (r = 0.69; p < 0.05). However, the lowest significant correlation coefficient was found between SL at maximum velocity phase of sprint running and SJ (r = 0.39; p < 0.05). In conclusion, DJ height is demonstrated to be a more effective way to reflect Vmax during sprint running than the other vertical and horizontal jump tests at the beginning of the preparation training phase....

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week pre-season plyometric training on the performance characteristics in female handball players. Nineteen female handball players voluntarily participated in the study. They were divided into 2 groups [experimental group (ETG; N = 10), and control group (NTG; N = 9)]. Both groups continued regular pre-season training for 6-weeks. The ETG also did plyometric training. Sprints (10 m, 20 m, and 30 m), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), anaerobic power and capacity (AP and AC), and aerobic variables at fixed blood lactate levels (FBLLs) [running velocity (RV), heart rate (HR), and oxygen consumption (VO2)] were compared before and after the training. The results have shown that there are significant differences in SJ and CMJ (p<0.05), all sprints (p<0.01), AP and AC (p<0.05), VO2max (p<0.01), RV, HR, and VO2 at each of FBLLs (p<0.01) between pre- and post-training results of ETG. Pre- and post training results also showed significant differences in SJ and CMJ (p<0.05), all sprints (p<0.01), and AP (p<0.05) in NTG. In conclusion, was found that a 6-week plyometric training is an important parameter in addition to physical fitness, technical, and tactical training for the female handball players who get prepared for the woman handball super league which affects pre-season performance characteristics.

Background and Study Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate of the relationships between total/segmental body composition and anaerobic performance parameters in female handball players. Material and Methods. Voluntary 16 women handball players (age= 19.6±2.6years, body height= 168.0±5.5cm, body weight= 64.7±10.7kg), trained last 3 years, were participated to the study. Twelve of them were students from Faculty of Sports Sciences. All measurement and tests were completed in the week right after Turkish Women Handball 1th League. Total and segmental body composition parameters (body fat percentage, body fat mass, lean body mass, leg fat percentage, leg fat mass, lean leg mass, torso fat percentage, torso fat mass, and lean torso mass) of each player were evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. Squat jump test for explosive power, countermovement jump test for elastic (reactive) power, and Wingate test for anaerobic power (WAnT AP) and anaerobic capacity (WAnT AC) were used. Relationships of total/segmental body composition parameters with jump and anaerobic power-capacity parameters were analysed with Pearson correlation and the probability level was set to p£0.05. Results. As a result of statistical analyses, there were negative relationships (p<0.05) between anaerobic performance parameters (countermovement jump and anaerobic power-capacity) and total/segmental body composition parameters except for lean body mass, lean leg mass, and lean torso mass. Conclusions. Total/segmental body composition parameters based on endomorphy had negative effects on explosive power, elastic power, WAnT AP and WAnT AC. It is suggested that coaches should not allow female handball players to rise in ectomorphy for the anaerobic performance loss in the season finale.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of repetitive different jump pre-conditioning activities on post activity performance enhancement (PAPE). Methods: Twenty-six male sports science faculty students who were physically active between the ages of 18-22 to participate in the study were divided into a squat jump group (SJG) (n= 14, age 20.0 ± 1.3 year, height: 175.1 ± 6.7 cm, body weight: 71.9 ± 6.9 kg) and a countermovement jump group (CMJG) (n= 12, age 20.1 ± .9 year, height: 175.3 ± 7.9 cm, body weight: 71.3 ± 8.2 kg). Squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were performed before the pre-conditioning activity, 4 min and 10 min after the pre-conditioning activity. SJG performed SJ and CMJG performed CMJ as the pre-conditioning activity with three reps. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine the PAPE effect of pre-conditioning activities, SJ and CMJ on the variables flight time (FT), jump height (JH) and power (P) in SJ and CMJ tests after 4 min and 10 min. Significance level was taken as P< .05. Results: Statistically significant differences were found as PAPE effect in SJ test FT, JH and P variables in the SJG at 4 min and 6 min after the pre-conditioning activity SJ (F(2;12)= 10.607; P= .002, η2= .639 for FT; F(2;12)= 9.323; P= .004, η2= .608 for JH and P). In CMJG, there were no statistically significant differences in PAPE effect in the CMJ test FT, JH, and P variables 4 min and 8 min after the pre-conditioning activity CMJ. Conclusions: In conclusion, the time-dependent differences in SJ and CMJ performance of PAPE effects caused by repetitive pre-conditioning activities, SJ and CMJ, showed the importance of determining the exercises that will create a pre-conditioning and optimal rest periods for post-PAPE performance. Keywords: Pre-conditioning activity, post activity performance enhancement, squat jump, counter-movement-jump

Purpose: Electromyostimulation is a popular training to increase muscle strength during the last years. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of electromyostimulation training on jumping and muscle strength in football players. Material: Volunteered 23 football players between the ages of 18 to 24 were divided into experimental and control groups with simple random sampling. Both groups continued to regular training. Experimental group had additional electromyostimulation training for 6-week, 3-time a week, and 20min a day. Pre- and post-training squat and countermovement jumps, peak torques of dominant and non-dominant knee extensor and flexor muscles were tested. Angular velocities of isokinetic dynamometer were 60, 180, and 300ºs-1. Pre- and post-test comparisons within the groups were analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences between pre- and post-test for isokinetic knee strength parameters at all angular velocities of EG. However, control group had significant pre- and post-test differences in dominant and non-dominant knee extension and flexion peak torque values. Conclusions: EMS and regular training in-season had no effect on the isokinetic strength parameters. On the other hand, the regular training in-season has increased isokinetic strength. Electromyostimulation training additional to regular training may have detrimental effects on outcomes of concurrent training in football players.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of kicking leg preference on the bilateral leg strength asymmetries of amateur football players. METHODS: : Thirty-four right-dominant (RD) and twenty-three left-dominant (LD) amateur football players volunteered to participate in the study. Squat and countermovement jump, standing long jump, and isokinetic knee strength (at 60, 180 and 300[ ]/s) were tested with respect to inter-limb asymmetry index (ASI). RESULTS: There were significant differences in horizontal jump and H/Q ratio at 60[ ]/s between DL and NDL in all football players. There were also significant differences in standing long jump, hamstring peak torque at 180[ ]/s and H/Q ratio at 60[ ]/s in the LD football players ([ ] 0.05). Moreover, the LD group had greater percentage of subjects with ASI [ ] 15% for standing long jump, hamstring peak torque at 180[ ]/s. Furthermore the percentage of subjects with H/Q Ratio [ ] 0.60 for 60[ ]/s was greater in the LD players’ DL. CONCLUSION: Bilateral leg strength asymmetries may be affected by a single leg predominantly in the mobilization workouts. Having higher inter-limb asymmetry index, LD players may be screened and trained to minimize leg strength asymmetries.