Can resistance training improve throwing performance in handball players? A Systematic review and meta-analysis

Stelios Hadjisavvas; Michalis A Efstathiou; Irene-Chrysovalanto Themistocleous; Katerina Daskalaki; Paraskevi Malliou; Jeremy Lewis; Manos Stefanakis

doi:10.1186/s13102-024-00872-y

Can resistance training improve throwing performance in handball players? A Systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 Apr 16;16(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00872-y.

Authors

Stelios Hadjisavvas¹, Michalis A Efstathiou², Irene-Chrysovalanto Themistocleous², Katerina Daskalaki³, Paraskevi Malliou^{2

3}, Jeremy Lewis^{2

4

5}, Manos Stefanakis²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Life Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus. hadjisavvas.s@unic.ac.cy.
² Department of Life Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
³ Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece.
⁴ Therapy Department, Central London Community Healthcare National Health Service Trust, Finchley Memorial Hospital, London, N12 0JE, UK.
⁵ Professor of Musculoskeletal Research, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Abstract

Background: Throwing is one of the most important movement in handball. Throwing performance is crucial for success in handball.

Objective: Τo investigate the level of evidence for the effect of resistance training (RT) on throwing performance in handball players.

Methods: Systematic searches of Pubmed, Medline complete, Cinahl, Sport Discus and Scopus were undertaken for peer reviewed articles published between 18 March 1995 to 18 March 2023. Randomized, controlled, clinical studies, written in English, aiming to investigate the effect at least one modality of RT on throwing performance (velocity or/and accuracy) in handball players were considered for inclusion in the study. The eligible studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDRO) scale. The Best Evidence Synthesis (BES) approach was used for synthesizing and reporting the results. Furthermore, the random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis and the Q-statistic was used to test the null hypothesis that all studies in the analysis share a common effect size.

Results: One hundred ninety-eight studies were identified, of which 30 were included. A total of 727 handball players (males = 388, females = 292) were included. 28 of the 30 studies were rated as high methodological quality studies (PEDRO score > 70%) while the rest of the studies were rated as moderate methodological quality studies (PEDRO score ≤ 60%). The mean effect size for the effectiveness of resistance training (RT) in improving jumping throw, running throw, and standing throw velocity were 1.128 (95% CI 0.457 - 1.798), 1.756 (95% CI 1.111 - 2.400), and 1.098 (95% CI 0.689 - 1.507) correspondingly. Traditional weight training using barbells in mostly compound lifts yielded the most significant and robust results. Other RT modalities such as elastic bands, medicine balls, core training and ballistic training showed no significant results or positive effects due to the limited number of the studies.

Conclusion: Strong evidence exists only for the effectiveness of RT using barbells in increasing throwing velocity. In contrast, the remaining RT modalities, while yielding positive results, have limited support due to limited number of studies and the high heterogeneity between studies. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to support various forms of RT in increasing throw distance. Finally, medicine ball training and elastic band training demonstrated no benefits in improving throwing accuracy.

Trial registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42023393574.

Keywords: Handball players; Resistance training; Strength training; Throwing performance; Throwing velocity.