Exploring the Relationship between Endurance and Strength Training in Power Sports

Abstract

The purpose of this research work is to track down the level of relation between strength and endurance in training exercises of handball athletes. The most successful ratio has been established during work with two groups of 10 players each, all of whom are university students. They were trained, respectively, according to the general training methodology, on the one hand, and a programme, developed by us, on the other.

The object of our research is the effectiveness of the different in volume and intensity training work over the level of the identified physical qualities - strength and endurance. The groups are tested at the beginning and at the end of a two-month experimental period, during which 24 training sessions have been performed with the application of:

1. A control run test - 4 km distance - at individual intensity of 85% and a pulse frequency of 145-155 b/min. The intensity is calculated on the basis of the best result, accomplished by the player. The pulse frequency is measured with a field micro-coordinator Seka, Sportronic - 250 and an analytical record, TYP, 2D, Syntron, Seka Software, Version 1.3, England.

2. A strength test consisting of 5 sessions of eight repeats - semi-squats with bar - 40% of the maximum individual capability for 35 seconds.

It has been established that the combination between workouts for strength and ednurance in a ratio of 2:1 respectively, gives a positive influence on both qualities. A training focused on endurance has a less significant effect on the strength of the athlete, and reversely, strength has a greater effect on endurance. It is recommended that in power sports the relative element of endurance in training not exceed 25-30%, and in sports with endurance as a leading quality - training for strength be in the margin of 20-30%.