Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of a 10 × (6 × 5 m) multi-directional repeated sprint ability test (RSM) in elite young team handball (TH) players. Participants were members of the Iranian national team (n = 20, age 16.4 ± 0.7 years, weight 82.5 ± 5.5 kg, height 184.8 ± 4.6 cm, body fat 15.4 ± 4.3%). The validity of RSM was tested against a 10 × (15 + 15 m) repeated sprint ability test (RSA), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). To test the reliability of RSM, the participants repeated the testing sessions of RSM and RSA 1 week later. Both RSA and RSM tests showed good to excellent reliability of the total time (TT), best time (BT), and weakest time (WT). The results of the correlation analysis showed significant inverse correlations between maximum aerobic capacity and TT in RSA (r = −0.57, p ≤ 0.05) and RSM (r = −0.76, p ≤ 0.01). There was also a significant inverse correlation between maximum aerobic capacity with fatigue index (FI) in RSA test (r = −0.64, p ≤ 0.01) and in RSM test (r = −0.53, p ≤ 0.05). BT, WT, and TT of RSA was largely-to-very largely correlated with BT (r = 0.58, p ≤ 0.01), WT (r = 0.62, p ≤ 0.01), and TT (r = 0.65, p ≤ 0.01) of RSM. BT in RSM was also correlated with FI in RSM (r = 0.88, p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, based on the findings of the current study, the recently developed RSM test is a valid and reliable test and should be utilized for assessment of repeated sprint ability in handball players.
Highlights
Exercise testing in handball includes a series of anthropometric and physiological measurements associated with performance in this team sport (Schwesig et al, 2017).The anthropometric and physiological characteristics of team handball (TH) players are relative to their position in the field and competitive level (Nikolaidis et al, 2015b)
best time (BT), weakest time (WT), and total time (TT) of repeated sprint ability (RSA) were largely-to-very largely correlated with BT, WT, and TT of RSM (Figure 3, Table 4)
The main findings of the present study were that RSM indices showed a good reliability for both TT and fatigue index (FI) and an excellent reliability for BT, WT, and RPE
Summary
Exercise testing in handball includes a series of anthropometric and physiological measurements associated with performance in this team sport (Schwesig et al, 2017).The anthropometric and physiological characteristics of team handball (TH) players are relative to their position in the field and competitive level (Nikolaidis et al, 2015b). Similar to many intermittent team sports, is related to strength, power, speed, and ability to perform repeated high intensity sprints in various directions. Analysis of handball matches showed that 12% of the total game time comprised of sprinting and high intensity running (Chelly et al, 2011). Most sprints in handball are not performed in a direct line and often include one or multiple change of directions (COD) during defensive and offensive actions. These findings suggest that repeated multi direction sprint ability may be a key discriminating factor in handball performance
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