Changes in power output under the influence of sprint training in handball players

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to study the power output using the Wingate test applied in an eight-week training programme realized by handball players, aided by repeated maximal-intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer. The study was conducted on 13 handball players divided into two groups. Group GS (n = 5) done the training in a gym and an additional sprint training on a cycle ergometer, wile group GG (n = 8) performed only the training in a gym. Both training programmes lasted 8 weeks, 5 times a week (Monday to Friday). On Saturday preceding the start of the experiment and Saturday at the end of each week during the 8-week training programmes, the participants of the experiment came through the Wingate test on a cycle ergometer. The sprint training on the cycle ergometer caused a significant improvement in alactic anaerobic output (the power increase and maintenance phase – IMP) in the Wingate test and in lactic anaerobic output (the power decrease phase – DP) in group GS. No significant changes in these values were found in these participants of the Wingate test who belonged to the group GG. The changes in the parameters measured in both groups examined varied significantly.