TITLE:
Changes in Inflammatory Response and Performance to Field Tests Induced by a Concomitant Training Block in Elite Handball Players in Benin
AUTHORS:
Linta Léonce Sèjro Odjouola, Tonon Brigitte Affidéhomé, Hountohotegbé Tatiana, Gouthon Polycarpe, Bigot Koffi André, Nouatin Basile Kocou, Bio Nigan Issiako
KEYWORDS:
Inflammatory Response, Fitness Capacity, Training Method, Handball, Sub-Saharan Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.11 No.4,
November
30,
2021
ABSTRACT: The effects of different training methods on immune
function in African elite handball players have been little evaluated. The aim of this study
was to determine the effects of a six-week concomitant training (CT) block on parameters
associated with the inflammatory response and performance on field tests in
elite handball players in Benin. This was a controlled interventional study, undertaken
with 18 international handball players (21.4 ± 3.0 years), randomized into two
groups: interventional (IG) and control (CG). Players of the intervention group
(IG) participated in a concomitant training block (CT) and those who served as
controls (CG), followed the usual content of their training sessions (UC). Interleukins Il-6 and Il-10, tumor necrosis
factor (TNF-α), as
well as performance in five field tests, were determined at the beginning and end of the six-week of training.
Changes in inflammatory response parameters recorded in IG were similar to those in
CG (P > 0.05). Improvements recorded were greater in the IG group
than in CG, for (+4.3% versus
+1.5%; P = 0.01), medicine-ball throwing distance (+15.9% versus +4.3%; P =
0.004) and height in counter movement jump (+7.0% versus +0.5%; P = 0.004). Handball coaches can therefore use concomitant training as an effective method
of developing and explosive
strength capacity without fearing an impairment of immune function in the
handball players studied.