title: Strength Training Using Elastic Bands: Improvement of Muscle Power and Throwing Performance in Young Female Handball Players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imbalance in shoulder-rotator muscles has been considered a risk factor for injuries in handball. Strength training programs (STPs) may play an important preventive role.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify the effects of an STP using elastic bands on shoulder muscles and ball-throwing speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized and prospective controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exercise physiology laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine female handball players were randomly assigned to an experimental (EG, n = 21, 15.3 ± 1.1 y) or a control (CG, n = 18, 15.0 ± 0.8 y) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EG performed the STP with elastic-band progressive exercises for 6 wk before regular handball training, and the CG underwent only their regular training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and after the STP, both groups underwent a ball-throwing-speed test and isokinetic test to assess shoulder internal- (IR) and external-rotator muscle performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average power values for IR muscles presented a significant group-vs-time interaction effect (F = 3.9, P = .05); EG presented significantly higher values after the STP (P = .03). Ball speed presented higher values in EG after the STP in standing (P = .04) and jumping (P = .03) throws. IR peak-torque values and balance in shoulder-rotator muscles presented no group-vs-time interaction effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STP using elastic bands performed for 6 wk was effective to improve muscle power and ball speed for young female handball players.
authors.forename: Naryana Cristina
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Mascarin
authors.forename: Claudio Andre Barbosa
authors.initials: CAB
authors.lastname: de Lira
authors.forename: Rodrigo Luiz
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Vancini
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Castro Pochini
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Marilia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dos Santos Andrade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque
keywords: isokinetics; muscle imbalance; overhead athletes; shoulder injuries; sport rehabilitation programs