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Maximal handgrip strength and endurance are important indicators of upper limb function in older adults. Up to now, there is insufficient information regarding the efficacy of specialized strength training programs for improving handgrip strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week specialized handgrip strength training program on maximal handgrip strength and endurance in healthy older women. A randomized controlled trial was performed. Thirty-six healthy older women (>65 years) were randomly divided into a training group (TG) (n = 18) and a control group (CG) (n = 18). The TG participated in an 8-week specialized handgrip strength training program using rubber balls and hand grippers (2 training sessions/week, 10−15 min, 8–15 repetitions/set, 4–6 total sets/session). Prior to and after the completion of the program, maximal handgrip strength and dynamic endurance (indices: repeated maximal repetitions and percentage change in handgrip strength between first and last 6 repetitions) were assessed in both hands. Repeated measures MANOVA results indicated that maximal handgrip strength (+9.3%–10.4%) and strength values during repeated maximal repetitions (+14% to 27%) significantly increased in TG (p < 0.001), while the percentage change in handgrip strength between the first and last 6 repetitions decreased significantly (−6%) (p < 0.05), irrespective of the tested hand. The results of this study showed that an 8-week specialized handgrip strength training program can be used effectively by athletic trainers, physical and hand therapists to counteract the detrimental effects of the aging process on maximal handgrip strength and endurance in older adults.

The main objectives of this study were to examine which testing protocol (one/two/three trials) and method (best/average value) used for determining maximal handgrip strength is more reliable for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and to compare the reliability and variability of maximal handgrip strength measurement between individuals with ID and healthy individuals. Twenty individuals with ID (18.7±3.3 years) and 20 healthy individuals (18.5±3.4 years) performed six separate sessions. During these sessions, the participants’ maximal handgrip strength was evaluated using three protocols with different number of trials (one/two/three). In individuals with ID, the protocols with one and two trials were less reliable (ICC=0.78–0.95; SEM%=9–21) than the protocol with three trials (ICC=0.94–0.96; SEM%=8–10) whereas in healthy individuals all protocols were equally reliable (ICC=0.95–0.99; SEM%=1.9–4.9). In individuals with ID, the mean of three trials (ICC=0.96, SEM=1.19–1.35kg, SEM%=8.2–8.7) had slightly higher reliability than the best of three trials (ICC=0.94, SEM=1.47–1.75kg, SEM%=9.2–10.1). Furthermore, the variability of maximal handgrip strength measurement was about twofold higher in individuals with ID (CV=37–45%) vs. healthy individuals (CV=21–23%). Maximal handgrip strength can be measured reliably in young individuals with ID using the mean of three trials as the most reliable approach for the determination of maximal handgrip strength.

The aim of this study was to describe an alternative approach in order to estimate the level of specific endurance (stamina) via video-analysis in handball athletes, which is required during the whole game. One thousand five hundred three (1503) attacks from 15 matches of 8 teams participating in the first division of the 2003 National Men’s Handball Championship were studied. For the analysis, all attacks were recorded and categorized based on the type of fast break. Furthermore, for each type of attack the outcome of the shot (goal, riposte, missed goal) and the offensive errors were recorded. All the fast break attempts (successful ones or not) were taken into consideration. The data analysis was conducted using Crosstabulation and chi-square tests. The results revealed that, during the first half, the 1stand 2ndwave were used in a percentage of 45,9% and 54,1%, respectively (p<0.05), although during the second half the percentage of each type was 63,3% and 36,7%, respectively (p<0.05). The third wave of fast break was not recorded. The number of successful attempts of fast break in the first half (77,1%) was greater than in the 2ndhalf (66,9%) (p<0.05). During the first half the frequency of the 1stwave (45,9%) was lower than that in the 2ndwave (54,1%) (p<0.05). However, during the second half the 1stwave’s frequency (63,3%) was greater compared to the 2ndwave’s (36,7%) (p<0.05). The form of analysis which was used to record, research and compare the frequency of appearance of fast break showed a reduction of fast break in the second half compared to the first half. There was also a significant difference between the two half times regarding the successful and unsuccessful fast breaks. The results may indicate some influence of training specificity and provide suggestions to coaches regarding the organisation of handball training drills that will possibly lead to an increase in explosive power.