Enhancing Performance in Professional Water Polo Players: Dryland Training, In-Water Training, and Combined Training

• Sáez de Villarreal, Eduardo ^[1] ; Suarez-Arrones, Luis ^[1] ; Requena, Bernardo ^[1] ; Haff, G. Gregory ^[2] ; Ramos Veliz, Rafael ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Pablo de Olavide

     Universidad Pablo de Olavide

     Sevilla, España

     
  2. [2] Edith Cowan University

     Edith Cowan University

     Australia

     
• Localización: Journal of strength and conditioning research: The Official Research Journal of the NSCA, ISSN 1064-8011, Vol. 29, Nº. 4, 2015, págs. 1089-1097
• Idioma: inglés
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• Dialnet Métricas: 3 Citas
• Resumen

  • We compared the effects of 6 weeks of dryland, in-water–specific strength training and plyometric training combined with a water polo (WP) training program on 7 sport-specific performance parameters. Thirty professional players were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups: combined training (CG), in-water–specific strength (WSG), and plyometrics (PG). The program included 3 weekly strength training sessions and 5 days of WP training per week for a total of 6 weeks during the preseason. The 10-m T-agility test, 20-m maximal sprint swim, maximal dynamic strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM], bench press [BP] and full squat [FS]), in-water boost, countermovement jump (CMJ) and throwing speed (ThS) were measured before and after the 6-week training period. There were no significant differences between the groups for any of the tested variables before the initiation of the 6-week training period. After 6 weeks of training, significant improvements (p <= 0.001) were found in the PG group for the CMJ (6.1%) and in all groups for the in-water boost (4.4–5.1%) test. The 1RM BP (7.6–12.6%) and FS (11.5–14.6%) significantly (p <= 0.05) increased in all groups. Additionally, ThS significantly increased in all groups (11.4–17.5%), whereas the agility test was significantly decreased (-7.3%) in only the CG group. Combined, in-water–specific strength and plyometric training produced medium to large effects on most WP-specific performance parameters. Therefore, we propose preseason WP training should include a combined training program that contains dryland and in-water–specific strength and plyometric training to optimize the WP preparation for competition.