Neuromuscular and reactive performance adaptations following combined SAQ and plyometric training in competitive female handball players

Abstract

Problem Statement: Handball is a high-intensity intermittent sport that requires rapid accelerations, multidirectional movements, explosive jumping, and quick perceptual–motor decision-making. Although speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) and plyometric training are commonly applied in team sports conditioning, limited controlled research has examined their combined effects on neuromuscular activation and reactive agility in female handball players. Approach: A randomized controlled experimental design was adopted involving 21 competitive female handball players, who were divided into an experimental group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 10). The experimental group completed combined SAQ and plyometric training three times per week for eight weeks in addition to regular handball practice, whereas the control group continued standard training. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure activation of the rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and biceps femoris during squat and drop jumps. Performance measures included reactive agility, squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 10 m sprint tests. Data were analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk tests and two-way mixed ANOVA (Group × Time) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests and effect size calculations. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week combined SAQ and plyometric training program on electromyographic activity, reactive agility, and explosive performance in competitive female handball athletes. Results: Significant Group × Time interactions were found for rectus femoris EMG (p = 0.013), gastrocnemius EMG (p = 0.016), reactive agility (p = 0.010), squat jump height (p = 0.022), and drop jump height (p = 0.018). The experimental group demonstrated substantial improvements in rectus femoris EMG (+0.049 RMS, d = 0.93), gastrocnemius EMG (+0.044 RMS, d = 0.86), reactive agility (- 0.39 s, d = 1.02), squat jump (+2.2 cm, d = 0.88), and drop jump (+2.4 cm, d = 0.90), while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusions: An eight-week combined SAQ and plyometric training program significantly enhanced neuromuscular activation, reactive agility, and explosive performance in female handball players. These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating structured neuromuscular and perceptual training strategies within handball conditioning programs to improve explosive and reactive performance capacities.