The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of short-term resistance training and two weeks of tapering on physical performances in handball players. Muscle power forceβvelocity test and squat and counter-movement jump tests , sprinting ability 10m and 30m , ability to change direction T-half test and throwing velocity a 3-step throw with a run, and a jump throw were evaluated before training, at the end of training and after tapering. Nevertheless the ten weeks of progressive resistance training followed by two weeks of tapering was an effective overall tactic to increase muscle power, sprint performance and ball throwing velocity in handball players.
The concept of a tapering of training was first introduced by Costill et al. The efficacy of tapering has subsequently been well documented in runners [ 2 ], swimmers [ 3 ], cyclists [ 4 ], rowers [ 5 ], and triathletes [ 6 ], with improvement in performance or its physiological correlates [ 7 β 10 ].
From a neuromuscular perspective, tapering usually increases muscular strength and power, often with associated gains in performance at the muscular and whole body level. Oxidative enzyme activities can also increase, along with positive changes in single muscle fibre size, metabolic properties and contractile properties.
The aim of tapering is to reduce the physiological and psychological stress imposed by heavy daily training and thus to optimize competitive performance. It can be carried out in many ways, including either progressive or stepped reductions in training volume, intensity, and frequency [ 2 ]. The length of the taper period has also varied widely [ 7 β 11 ]. No previous study has investigated the effects of a two-week step-tapering period on the physical performance characteristics of handball players undergoing resistance training.
The objective of this study was to thus analyze the effects of a two-week step tapering on upper and lower-limb muscle power, ball throwing velocity, jump performance and sprinting ability in elite male handball players.
