Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the anthropometric parameters and cardiopulmonary functions of young handball players in different playing positions. 15 male handball players from first division (mean age: 16.06±0.63 yrs) participated in our research who were divided by their playing positions. First anthropometric parameters, body composition and pulmonary functions in rest were measured. Then physiological changes of the players were tested with Bruce protocol. We found that wings differed the most in morphological characteristics from other players. We did not find significant differences in pulmonary functions among positions. The highest values of Tidal volume in the vita maxima test were found in pivots (2.82±0.15 l) which is significantly higher than Tidal volume of goalkeepers (p=0.006). The highest mean value of maximal oxygen uptake was recorded (73.93±9.41 ml/kg/min) in wings. Altogether in our study important differences were seen in physique and in performance also among young handball players.
Highlights
Handball is one of the most popular team sports in European countries
There were no significant differences in stature, body mass, body fat percentage and skinfolds based on the analysis of Tukey post-hoc test (Table 1)
The present study investigated possible differences among young male handball players by positions in anthropometric characteristics and cardiopulmonary functions
Summary
Handball is one of the most popular team sports in European countries. In the last years the game became faster athletic skills are even more important for players. Short maximal intensity movements and medium intensity actions for longer time alternately and repetitively appear in this sport game. The intermittent actions, changes of offense and defense are large-scale exercises for players complex physical conditions are needed. Players must have sport specific endurance for success, cardiorespiratory functions of handball players were intensively studied (Buccheit et al, 2009; Loftin et al, 1996; Luszczyk et al, 2010; Vujkov, Đukic & Drid, 2010). It has been shown earlier that some of the anthropometric parameters are essential factors for modern handball profile (stature, body mass, body fat percentage, specific girth, length and skinfold parameters) in young (Ibnziaten et al, 2002) and adult players (Hasan, Rahaman, Cable & Reilly, 2007; Sibila, Vuleta & Pori, 2004). There are significant differences in physical characteristics between playing positions (Massuca & Fragoso, 2011; Srhoj, Marinovic & Rogulj, 2002)
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