Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Introduction: The developmental stage of handball training is critical for the enhancement of physical fitness. However, there is considerable methodological variability in the interventions implemented to improve performance in children and adolescents. Objective: This paper examines the characteri...
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| Format: | Article |
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2025-05-01
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| author | Guillermo Barahona-Fuentes Claudio Hinojosa-Torres Sebastián Espoz-Lazo Juan Pablo Zavala-Crichton Guillermo Cortés-Roco Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda Fernando Alacid |
| author_facet | Guillermo Barahona-Fuentes Claudio Hinojosa-Torres Sebastián Espoz-Lazo Juan Pablo Zavala-Crichton Guillermo Cortés-Roco Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda Fernando Alacid |
| author_sort | Guillermo Barahona-Fuentes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The developmental stage of handball training is critical for the enhancement of physical fitness. However, there is considerable methodological variability in the interventions implemented to improve performance in children and adolescents. Objective: This paper examines the characteristics and effectiveness of physical training interventions on fitness components in youth handball players through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The review identifies and classifies the types of strategies and training modalities used, while the meta-analysis quantifies their effects on physical performance. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the databases Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and MEDLINE, identifying 61 studies. Of these, fifty-three were included in the systematic review and eight met the criteria for the meta-analysis. The analysis focused on interventions targeting 787 participants aged 8 to 18 years (15.4 mean) and addressing various components of physical fitness. The methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Results: The meta-analysis revealed significant and positive effects of the interventions on physical performance. Plyometric training was associated with improvements in peak power (SMD = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.91), sprint performance (SMD = −1.27; 95% CI: −1.93 to −0.62), and jump ability (SMD = 3.69; 95% CI: 3.21 to 4.17). Resistance band training also showed a positive impact on jump height (SMD = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.86) and agility (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.65). Heterogeneity ranged from low to moderate across outcomes. Conclusion: Plyometric and resistance band training interventions are effective strategies to enhance physical fitness in young handball players. These findings provide a scientific basis for designing evidence-based training programs aimed at comprehensive physical development during formative athletic stages. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d28888224d7949eab2ad2269dbdb46e5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d28888224d7949eab2ad2269dbdb46e52025-08-20T03:46:50ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511620810.3390/app15116208Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisGuillermo Barahona-Fuentes0Claudio Hinojosa-Torres1Sebastián Espoz-Lazo2Juan Pablo Zavala-Crichton3Guillermo Cortés-Roco4Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda5Fernando Alacid6Núcleo de Investigación en Salud, Actividad Física y Deporte ISAFYD, Universidad de Las Américas, Viña del Mar 2531098, ChileFacultad de Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2520000, ChileFacultad de Educación, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8520000, ChileFacultad de Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2520000, ChileFaculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar 2520000, ChileFacultad de Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2520000, ChileDepartment of Education, Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainIntroduction: The developmental stage of handball training is critical for the enhancement of physical fitness. However, there is considerable methodological variability in the interventions implemented to improve performance in children and adolescents. Objective: This paper examines the characteristics and effectiveness of physical training interventions on fitness components in youth handball players through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The review identifies and classifies the types of strategies and training modalities used, while the meta-analysis quantifies their effects on physical performance. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the databases Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and MEDLINE, identifying 61 studies. Of these, fifty-three were included in the systematic review and eight met the criteria for the meta-analysis. The analysis focused on interventions targeting 787 participants aged 8 to 18 years (15.4 mean) and addressing various components of physical fitness. The methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Results: The meta-analysis revealed significant and positive effects of the interventions on physical performance. Plyometric training was associated with improvements in peak power (SMD = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.91), sprint performance (SMD = −1.27; 95% CI: −1.93 to −0.62), and jump ability (SMD = 3.69; 95% CI: 3.21 to 4.17). Resistance band training also showed a positive impact on jump height (SMD = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.86) and agility (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.65). Heterogeneity ranged from low to moderate across outcomes. Conclusion: Plyometric and resistance band training interventions are effective strategies to enhance physical fitness in young handball players. These findings provide a scientific basis for designing evidence-based training programs aimed at comprehensive physical development during formative athletic stages.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6208adolescentschildrenhandballphysical fitnesstraining |
| spellingShingle | Guillermo Barahona-Fuentes Claudio Hinojosa-Torres Sebastián Espoz-Lazo Juan Pablo Zavala-Crichton Guillermo Cortés-Roco Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda Fernando Alacid Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Applied Sciences adolescents children handball physical fitness training |
| title | Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Impact of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescent Handball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | impact of training interventions on physical fitness in children and adolescent handball players a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | adolescents children handball physical fitness training |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6208 |
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