The Effects of Eight Weeks of Plyoball and Resistance Band Training on Glutathione Peroxidase and Malondialdehyde in Handball Players

Purpose: Acute aerobic and anaerobic exercise can cause a state of oxidative stress characterized by an increase in oxidized molecules in a variety of tissues and body fluids. The amount of oxidation depends on the mode of exercise, intensity, and duration, and is specifically related to the degree of oxidant production. This research investigates the effect of eight weeks of plyoball and resistance band training on glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and performance indicators of female handball players. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 female handball players aged between 10 and 16 were randomly divided into the following three groups: 1) Handball training (n=10), 2) Handball+resistance band (n=10), and 3) Handball+plyoball training group (n=10). The plyoball and resistance band training program consisted of eight weeks (two sessions per week) and each session lasted 45 to 60 min. The one-way analysis of variance repeated measures were used for within and between group changes, respectively. Results: Eight weeks of plyoball and resistance band training caused a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase levels and decreased salivary malondialdehyde levels in handball players. The accuracy and strength of the handball shot increased significantly at the end of the eight-week intervention period. Conclusion: According to the results, the greatest increase in the levels of glutathione peroxidase was in the group of handball exercises with a resistance band and the greatest decrease in the levels of malondialdehyde was in the group of handball exercises alone. The highest amount of improvement in the accuracy and strength of the handball shot was achieved in the group of handball training with the resistance band. Therefore, the performance of handball exercises with resistance bands can be recommended to improve the levels of oxidative stress, accuracy use, and shot strength in handball players compared to other training groups.