Handball Research: State of the Art

Effect of Off-Season Iron Supplementation on Aerobic Capacity of Female Handball Player: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

Background

Iron supplementation, especially in female athletes, is 1 of the influential factors in aerobic capacity, and its deficiency can lead to significant problems related to reduced aerobic capacity.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effect of 3 wk of iron supplementation on the aerobic capacity of female handball players.

Methods

In this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo control trial, 14 elite handball players (age: 21.6 ± 5.68 y; height: 169.5 ± 4.9 cm; weight: 62.2 ± 9.25 kg; body mass index (in kg/m2): 21.5 ± 2.9) randomly divided into 2 supplement groups (receiving a 100 mg/d of poly-maltose tri hydroxide iron complex in the form of tablets) and the placebo group (receiving a tablet containing 100 mg/d starch which is the same color and shape as iron tablets). The supplementation protocol was performed for 3 wk during the off-season. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), amounts of carbon dioxide at the first ventilatory threshold, amounts of carbon dioxide at the second ventilatory threshold, time to exhaustion (TTE), pulmonary ventilation (VE), ventilatory equivalents for oxygen, amounts of oxygen at the first ventilatory threshold, amounts of oxygen at the second ventilatory threshold, time to reach first ventilatory threshold, end-tidal partial pressure of oxygen at the first ventilatory threshold, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the first ventilatory threshold and ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide were measured using the Bruce test and gas analyzer in 2 pretest and posttest stages.

Results

There were significant improvements in oxygen at the first ventilatory threshold, time to reach first ventilatory threshold, and end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the first ventilatory threshold and a significant decrease in end-tidal partial pressure of oxygen at the first ventilatory threshold (P < 0.05). Also, no significant changes were found in VO2max, carbon dioxide at the first ventilatory threshold, carbon dioxide at the second ventilatory threshold, oxygen at the second ventilatory threshold, TTE, VE, ventilatory equivalents for oxygen, and ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide after 3 wk of iron supplementation (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The study found that 3 wk of off-season iron supplementation positively impacted female handball players' aerobic capacity; however, it did not significantly improve their VO2max.

Vertical jump neuromuscular performance of professional female handball players-starters vs. non-starters comparison

Given the complex nature of the handball as a game, players are required to possess a distinct set of physical and physiological attributes to attain peak performance. With the countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) being widely implemented as a non-invasive and time-efficient testing modality in sports settings, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (a) to establish a CVJ profile of professional female handball players and (b) to examine differences in force-time metrics between starters and non-starters. Forty-two professional female handball players (e.g., SuperLeague) volunteered to participate in this study. Each athlete performed three maximum-effort CVJs with no arm swing while standing on a uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz. Independent t-tests were used to examine differences in each variable between starters and non-starters. The results revealed that starters attained superior performance within the eccentric phase of the CVJ when compared to non-starters, particularly in terms of eccentric peak velocity (-0.957 ± 0.242 vs. -0.794 ± 0.177 m·s-1), eccentric mean power (320.0 ± 77.7 vs. 267.1 ± 75.2 W), and eccentric peak power (929.0 ± 388.1 vs. 684.4 ± 214.2 W). While not reaching the level of statistical significance, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed for concentric impulse, peak velocity, and mean and peak force and power, all in favor of players included in the starting lineup (g = 0.439-0.655). Overall, these findings suggest that at the top-tier level of handball competition, the ability to secure a spot in a starting lineup may be possibly influenced by the athlete's eccentric performance capabilities. Thus, the development of lower-body eccentric strength and power may positively impact on-court athlete performance and ultimately help the team secure the desired game outcome.

Influence of Tactical and Situational Variables on Offensive Sequences During Elite European Handball Matches

The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite European handball matches. A sample of 55 games and 5.857 offensive sequences from the European Handball Federation Champions League, the selected teams were classified as the top eight teams in the league, were analyzed using X 2 and logistic regression analyses. Results indicated that positional attacks [odds ratio (OR) = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.28-0.42; p < 0.001] and fast attacks (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.36-0.57; p < 0.001) decreased the probability of success for an offensive sequence by 66% and 54% when compared with counterattacks. Offensive sequences that start in the attacking zone seem to be less effective (~78%) than those that start from a situation of "ball in center." Additionally, offensive sequences that finished in the defensive zone of the observed team were 3.19 times more effective than those that ended before the 9 m zone. We concluded that compared with offensive sequences where the shot is performed from the 9 m zone, the chances of an offensive sequence ending successfully are 3.65, 3.60, and 2.21 times higher, for offensive sequences where the shot is performed from 9 m, 6 m, and the defensive zone, respectively. On the other hand, many variables seem to impact the performance of handball teams. Nevertheless, a significant challenge remains, and more research needs to be conducted to analyze the obstacles that teams need to overcome while attacking in the most effective way possible.

Characteristics of the level of psychomotor abilities of female handball players

BACKGROUND

Handball is a high-intensity game, during which players run, change directions with or without the ball, interact with the opponent and make different decisions in both offensive and defensive actions. Players' performance may depend on a number of factors, including explosive force, power, speed and agility. Players' results may be significantly influenced by their, psychomotor abilities. This article presents an analysis of selected psychomotor abilities of female handball players at different level of competition.

METHODS

Test2Drive computer tests were used. The following four tests were used to measure psychomotor abilities: the Simple Reaction Time Test (SIRT), the Choice Reaction Time Test (CHORT), the Hand-Eye Coordination Test and the Spatial Anticipation Test (SPANT). The study covered a group of 118 female handball players (average age 19.6 ± 3.16), playing in the PGNiG Polish Women's Superliga, the Polish 1st Handball League and 2nd the Polish 2nd Handball League, in the playing positions: goalkeepers, centre players, pivot players and wing players. The study also included analyses of the players' body composition and aerobic capacity through the use of the multistage 20-m shuttle run test. In addition, the players' psychomotor abilities were analysed depending on the level of competition and playing position.

RESULTS

The analysis of the reaction time and movement time showed statistically significant differences between the results obtained by the female handball players on different levels of competition. Moreover the female players from the Polish Women's Superliga exhibited the fastest reaction times according to the SIRT, the CHORT and the SPANT. Additionally, on the basis of the linear Pearson correlation coefficient, a statistically significant relationship was determined between the players' psychomotor abilities (movement time in the SIRT, the CHORT and the SPANT) and elements of their body composition or aerobic capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis showed that the higher the level of competition (leagues), the shorter the female handball players' reaction times. The study also revealed that the players' body mass index and percentage of fat content reassociated with movement times, while their aerobic capacity (measured in the multistage 20-m shuttle run test) had a significant influence on their reaction times. This study shows that reaction time it's one of ability which should be consider to develop in training of female handball players.

Within-Match Performance Dynamics - Momentary Strength in Handball

Handball is an Olympic team sport characterized by changes of ball possession, where teams either play on offense or defense. In this paper, we model momentary strength in handball as scoring probabilities based on a double moving average. In this cross-sectional observational study, the aim was to describe the dynamics of momentary strength in handball from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Momentary strength can be used to further characterize the nuances of the sport by identifying different phases in a match. The momentary strength model was applied to the 2019 International Handball Federation (IHF) Men's World Championship. Ninety-six games were analyzed. The results showed that momentary strength could be used to better understand the dynamic interaction process between two teams. The Spearman correlation between the teams' median momentary strength and their final ranks at the Championship was -0.830. Virtually each team faced phases in its matches with a momentary scoring probability lower than 0.10 and with 4 exceptions also higher than 0.90. Twelve out of the 24 teams showed phases with a momentary scoring probability of exactly 0 as well as exactly 1

Anthropometric Dimensions and Bone Quality in International Male Beach Handball Players: Junior vs. Senior Comparison

BACKGROUND

Beach handball is a recent team sport characterized by defensive and offensive actions on a sand surface. Scientific evidence has shown that body composition is fundamental in sports performance. The main objective of this study was to know the body composition, anthropometric characteristics, and bone mineral density of elite beach handball players. Furthermore, another purpose was to analyze the differences between categories (junior and senior) and playing position. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 36 male players (18 juniors and 18 seniors) of the Spanish National Beach Handball Team was conducted. Full profile anthropometry and calcaneal ultrasound measurements were used. Results: Significant differences between categories (p < 0.05) were found in: height, body mass, arm span, BMI, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mass, skinfolds, and body perimeters. The somatotype changes depending on the playing position. Bone mineral density of the players was adequate. No significant differences were found by playing position. Conclusions: Senior players had a better body composition due to the presence of less fat mass than junior players. This study provides reference values of elite junior and senior beach handball players and by playing positions. This data is useful for the identification of talents and players who should be trained to improve their body composition.

Prediction of Handball Players' Performance on the Basis of Kinanthropometric Variables, Conditioning Abilities, and Handball Skills

Handball (team handball) is a multifactorial sport. The aims of this study were (i) to analyse anthropometric variables, conditioning abilities, and handball skills in club handball players according to age and sex, and (ii) to develop multivariate models explaining club handball performance from a multidimensional perspective. Two hundred and twenty six handball players (age 16.9 ± 4.0 years, 54% males) participated in the study. The players belonged to under-14, under-16, under-19, and A teams. They were evaluated with a battery of 18 tests covering kinanthropometry, conditioning abilities, and handball skills. A one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to investigate differences between teams, and a t-test for differences between the sexes. For each team, a discriminant analysis was performed to determine differences between performance levels. The results showed little differences between the U19 and A teams in any of the variables studied in either men or women, and that the lowest values corresponded to the U14 team. The differences according to sex were clear in the kinanthropometric and conditioning variables, but much less so in handball skills. The eight multivariate models that were constructed classified successfully from 48.5 to 100% of the sample using at most three variables (except for the women's A team whose model selected six variables). Conditioning variables were most discriminating in men, and handball skills in women. This would seem to reflect the different performance profiles.