Influence of the use of resin on the speed and precision of handball throws

Abstract

The handling of the ball is considered to be a determining factor in the precision and power of handball throws. To facilitate ball handling, the rules allow players to use an adhesive material called ‘resin’. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence of the resin on the throw velocity and accuracy, both in men and women in formative (U-18) and senior categories. The sample consisted of 46 players (31 men and 15 women) who performed a protocol of 6 distance throws with the intention of maximum velocity and accuracy. Randomly, each subject threw 3 times without resin and 3 times with resin. The results showed a higher velocity with the use of resin in the whole sample analysed. Throws with resin were 6.56% faster (p < 0,001). However, no significant differences in throwing accuracy were found (p > 0,05). Furthermore, no differences were found between the analysis subgroups (p > 0.05). The use of resin seems to be a determinant of throwing velocity. These results are highly applicable both in the field of sport training and for the evaluation of the importance of the throw in the offensive performance of a handball team.