Effects of Precompetitive Preparation Period on the Isokinetic Muscular Characteristics in World Class Handball Players.

Maurelli, O, Bernard, PL, Dubois, R, Ahmaidi, S, and Prioux, J. Effects of precompetitive preparation period on the isokinetic muscular characteristics in world class handball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(4): 1065-1074, 2019-The aim of this study was to describe the effects of 8 weeks of precompetitive preparation period (Pc2P) on the isokinetic muscular characteristics in world-class handball players. Nineteen male professional players (age, 26.6 ± 5.4 years) participated in the study. Two bilateral isokinetic tests of knee joint flexors (H; hamstring) and extensors (Q; quadriceps) were performed before and after Pc2P to determine the peak torque (PT), the mean power (MP), and the ratios (agonist-antagonist, dominant-nondominant, and combined). For the PT, Q at low angular velocity (60°·s) in concentric mode revealed no significant increase for the dominant or nondominant legs. For H, results showed a significant increase for both legs (p < 0.001). At the higher angular velocity (240°·s), Q was significantly increased for the dominant (p < 0.005) and nondominant (p < 0.002) legs and also H for both sides (p < 0.001). Eccentric mode (30°·s) showed a significant increase for dominant (p < 0.005) and nondominant (p < 0.01) legs. For MP, results showed significant increase at low angular velocity (p < 0.003) and high angular velocity (p < 0.01) for both legs. In eccentric mode, values showed a significant increase after Pc2P for dominant (p < 0.001) and nondominant (p < 0.02) legs. The ratios showed significant increase for the agonist-antagonist ratio at 60°·s for dominant leg (p < 0.003) and the nondominant leg (p < 0.01). At 240°·s, the values showed a significant difference for both side (p < 0.02). From an injury risk perspective, in addition to optimizing performance, these results demonstrated that 8 weeks of Pc2P increased the maximum strength and muscle power of international handball players, even if the ratios of the knee joint muscles did not change during this period.