Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on vertical and decuple jump performance in handball athletes. Sixteen collegiate Level-I handball athletes volunteered for this study. Athletes were equally divided as control group and experimental group (EG). During the period of study, all athletes underwent the same handball specific training, but the EG received additional WBVT (amplitude: 2 mm, frequency: 20-40 Hz) three times per week for eight consecutive weeks. The vertical jump performance was evaluated according to the maximum height of squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). The decuple jump performance was evaluated by the total distance covered in ten single leg long jumps. Single factor ANCOVA was used to examine the differences in each parameter between the groups after training with the pretest values as a covariate. The statistic significance was set at p<.05. After 8 weeks WBVT, the EG had significantly (p<.05) improved the maximal height of SJ (40.92±2.96 cm vs. 48.40±4.70 cm), the maximal height CMJ (47.25±7.48 cm vs. 52.20±6.25 cm), and the total distance of decuple jump (25.03±1.83 m vs. 26.26±1.65 m). From these results it is cleared that 8 weeks additional WBVT could improve the vertical and decuple jump performance in handball athletes. Enhanced motor unit synchronization and firing rates, facilitated muscular contraction stretch-shortening cycle, and improved lower extremity neuromuscular coordination could account for these enhancements.