Specific Power Training vs. Conventional Resistance Training in the Context of Vertical Jump Performance in Young Handball Players
(Michał Spieszny, Kamil Zawada, Kazimierz Mikołajec, Wojciech Wąsacz, Krzysztof Kasicki, Tadeusz Ambroży, Łukasz Rydzik)

The increase in the competitive level and popularity of handball necessitates the optimization of training methods, particularly in the development of explosive strength, which determines jump effectiveness and overall game performance. This study analyzed the impact of specific power training and conventional resistance training on jumping abilities of young handball players. A total of 48 athletes were selected for the experiment and randomly assigned to a power training (PT) group, a resistance training (RT) group, or a control (C) group. The training program included plyometric exercises, dynamic neuromuscular activations, and reaction-time-based stimuli, with their effects evaluated through vertical jump tests (CMJ and SJ). The results indicated significant increases in jump height, maximum power, and relative maximum power in the PT group (p < 0.05), suggesting that specific power training more effectively supported the development of dynamic variables than standard resistance training methods. While the RT group demonstrated gains in strength, the corresponding improvements in vertical jump performance were modest and not as substantial as those seen in the power training group. The findings highlight the crucial role of neuromuscular mechanisms in generating explosive power, as well as the importance of training methods based on the stretch-shortening cycle.