Relationship between throwing velocity, muscle power, and bar velocity during bench press in elite handball players.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ball-throwing velocity during a 3-step running throw and dynamic strength, power, and bar velocity during a concentric-only bench-press exercise in team-handball players.


METHODS
Fourteen elite senior male team-handball players volunteered to participate. Each volunteer had power and bar velocity measured during a concentric-only bench-press test with 26, 36, and 46 kg, as well as having 1-repetition-maximum (1-RMBP) strength determined. Ball-throwing velocity was evaluated with a standard 3-step running throw using a radar gun.


RESULTS
Ball-throwing velocity was related to the absolute load lifted during the 1-RMBP (r = .637, P = .014), peak power using 36 kg (r = .586, P = .028) and 46 kg (r = .582, P = .029), and peak bar velocity using 26 kg (r = .563, P = .036) and 36 kg (r = .625, P = .017).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that throwing velocity of elite team-handball players is related to maximal dynamic strength, peak power, and peak bar velocity. Thus, a training regimen designed to improve ball-throwing velocity in elite male team-handball players should include exercises that are aimed at increasing both strength and power in the upper body.
Marques
Mario C
MC
Sports Dept, University of Beira Interior, Covilha, Portugal.
van den Tilaar
Roland
R
Vescovi
Jason D
JD
Gonzalez-Badillo
Juan Jose
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult