Effect of combined endurance, strength and sprint training on maximal oxygen uptake, isometric strength and sprint performance in female elite handball players during a season

Eight female handball players from the Norwegian national team were tested for maximal oxygen uptake, maximal isometric strength and maximal running velocity on four occasions during a year. The first test (T1) was made at the beginning of the preparation for a new season, the second (T2) in the middle of the preparation period, the third (T3) at the beginning of the season for the national league, and the fourth (T4) just before the most important tournament for the national team that year. Between T1 and T2 strength training had priority, between T2 and T3 endurance and sprint training had priority, and between T3 and T4 physical training was reduced. Mean maximal oxygen uptake was 51.3 +/- 2.3 mi x kg(-1) x min(-1) at T1 and was at the same level at T2. At T3 and T4 maximal oxygen uptake was increased to 53.8 +/- 2.7 and 53.5 +/- 2.9 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (p < 0.05), respectively. Mean maximal isometric strength increased from 154.6 +/- 25.7 at T1 to 168.9 +/- 26.8 N at T3 (p < 0.03). Mean maximal running velocity was 7.85 +/- 0.24 m x s(-1) at T1 and was not significantly changed at T2 and T3, but was increased to 8.02 +/- 0.22 m x s(-1) at T4 (p < 0.03). In conclusion with our training model, where strength training had priority in the first part of the training period, followed by a period where sprint and endurance training had priority, we were able to increase both maximal oxygen uptake and maximal running velocity in female elite handball players in the period with the most important tournament.