Elite Handball Research Articles

Analysis of the effectiveness of the offensive game model in elite handball

The aim of the study was to identify the success variables associated with the level of efficiency established using an offensive game model during the second phase of the 2013 World Handball Championship for men in Spain. Sixteen matches were selected and 1925 units of observation were analysed, of which 8095 events were recorded using the HandballTAS tool (Handball Tactic Analysis System). The variables analysed to determine offensive effectiveness were individual actions, offensive punishment, degree of opposition, field area, location, numerical situation, and duration. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis in the form of binary logistic regression and classification tree. The classification and regression model correctly classified 81.6% of the dependent variables on offensive effectiveness (assist and numerical situation, p<0.05; field area and location, p<0.001). Offensive effectiveness increases with an assist (53%) and decreases with a shot from the wing-shots (53%), and with a 9-metre shot (65%) compared with a 6-metre shot. In respect of location, efficacy was reduced by 69% with shots in the middle zone of the goal when compared with shots in the lower zone. The probability of success was reduced by 49% in the warning of the passive play situation and 43% in the inferiority situation compared to the equality situation.

Prospective study of maturation and injury in elite handball academy. Could ‘maturational status’ be a risk factor for injury incidence in different handball team categories?

The objective of this study is to describe the relationship between injury incidence (IL) and maturity in male elite handball's player (HbP). Prospective study during two seasons, evaluating the sports injuries, maturity status and exposure time in hours in 133 young handball's players, under the UEFA methodology model for epidemiological studies. We discuss the maturity stage with different parameters, the Tanner's stage, puberty stages, peak high velocity, testicular volume, and the bone age. Finally, 190 injuries for a total of 34.222 h of exposure were registered.The average total Injury Incidence (IIn) by categories was 5,6 injury/1000 h of exposure. Injury Incidence during competition: 21,8 injuries/1000 hs and in training: 3,1 injuries/1000 hs without statistically significant between IIn, chronological age and different maturity stage by ANOVA.The multivariate statistical analysis registers tendency associations between IIn in competition for category (P = 0,07), and the IIn in training for Tanner stage (P = 0,091) and puberty (P = 0,021).In conclusion: there is not a significant difference in total IIn by ages categories in handball players but there is statistically significance tendency respect to some maturity parameters under a multivariate analysis. This last result must be considered when planning training seasons and strategies for injury prevention in the context of the formative handball.

The Significance of Maximal Squat Strength for Neuromuscular Knee Control in Elite Handball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Both weak muscle strength and impaired neuromuscular control has previous been suggested as risk factors for future traumatic knee injury. However, data on the relationship between these two factors are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship and influence of the one repetition maximum (1RM) barbell squat strength on dynamic knee valgus in elite female and male handball players. In this cross-sectional study 22 elite handball players (7 females) were included. A unilateral drop jump (VDJ) test was used for the assessment of frontal plane dynamic knee valgus. Players also performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) barbell squat test, expressed relative to bodyweight (r1RM), to assess maximal strength, which were dichotomized to analyze 'weak' versus 'strong' players according to median. Correlations were noted between r1RM in squat and knee valgus angle for both the non-dominant (r = -0.54; p = 0.009) and dominant leg (r = -0.46, p = 0.03). The odds of knee valgus were eight times higher, for the dominant leg, in the weak group compared to the strong group (p = 0.03) and 27 times higher, for the non-dominant leg (p = 0.002). The outcome of the present study suggests that maximum squat strength plays an important role when it comes to neuromuscular control of the knee, and that weak handball players are at higher risk of knee valgus compared to strong players during jumping activity.

An unexpected shift in constant year effects in female elite handball.

One of the most convincing studies about the importance of the cutoff date in relative age effects was when Helsen etal. (2000) showed that a shift in the date directly resulted in a change of birth month distributions in soccer. Over the past four decades, the role of the birth year has also been associated with relative age effects (as reflected in constant year effects). In this investigation, two studies attempted to replicate the shift of birth year distributions caused by a change in birth years in international female handball. In Study 1, the results from the female handball world championship 2017 showed a significant within-year effect overall and a constant year effect for players born 1988 and after. A second study was conducted with female players from world championships in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Results demonstrated small effect sizes for most tests. However, there was an unexpected trend toward a constant year effect shift at the age of 28 years. Several hypotheses are presented as an explanation for this trend.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Upper Extremity Neuromuscular Control and Grip Strength with Shooting Accuracy in Elite Handball Players

In sports such as handball, where the overhead throw is commonly used, athletes must be physically fit to fulfill the requirements of the throw. This fitness includes neuromuscular control, muscle strength, power, flexibility, balance, and agility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between upper extremity neuromuscular control and grip strength with shooting accuracy in elite handball players. The study was conducted with the participation of 26 male handball players with an average age of 20.23 ± 2.47 years, average body weight of 72.34 ± 8.01 kg, average height of 180.5 ± 5.90 cm, average playing experience of 8.65 ± 2.92 years, and average BMI of 22.1 ± 2.13 kg/m-2. Data collection tools contained a “Personal Information Form,” a “Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST),” a “Shooting Accuracy Test,” and a “Grip Strength Test.” Pearson Correlation Test analyzed the study data from descriptive statistics in the SPSS package program. In all analyses, p<.05 was considered statistically significant. According to the study’s results, no significant correlation was found between hand grip strength, upper extremity neuromuscular control, and strength with shooting accuracy in handball. A high positive correlation was found between dominant hand strength and non-dominant hand strength. As a result, it was determined that shooting performance is not only related to strength but also closely related to the player's technical skills.

Electrophysiological Evidence of Stroboscopic Training in Elite Handball Players: Visual Evoked Potentials Study.

Stroboscopic training enhances perceptual cognition and motor skills; however, neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this adaptation are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week stroboscopic training program on the conductivity of the visual pathway in elite handball players, specifically related to their visual processing of retinal location and viewing conditions. The study included 22 handball players who were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. Both groups performed handball-specific in-situ tasks, but only the experimental group underwent stroboscopic training. Participants were assessed three times using visually evoked potential recordings measured by P100 implicit time and amplitude under three viewing conditions (dominant eye, non-dominant eye, and binocular) and two retinal locations (extra-foveal and foveal vision) before and after the six-week training period, and again four weeks later. The results showed a significant TIME vs. GROUP effect of P100 implicit time for the dominant eye in extra-foveal vision (F2,40 = 5.20, p = 0.010, ηp2 = 0.206), extra-foveal binocular viewing (F2,40 = 3.32, p = 0.046, ηp2 = 0.142), and dominant eye foveal vision (F2,40 = 4.07, p = 0.025, ηp2 = 0.169). Stroboscopic training significantly improved early visual processing by reducing the P100 implicit time for the dominant eye and binocular vision, particularly in extra-foveal vision. The improvements were more noticeable in the short compared to the long term.

Dry Needling versus Diacutaneous Fibrolysis for the Treatment of the Mechanical Properties of the Teres Major Muscle: A Randomized Clinical Trial

(1) Background: The stiffness of the posterior shoulder muscles has been shown to be related to shoulder pain and range of motion (ROM) restriction in athletes. Specifically, the treatment of the teres major muscle showed promising results in previous studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) vs. diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) to improve the stiffness and tone of the teres major muscle, pain intensity, shoulder ROM, and extensibility in the short-term and at one-week follow-up in handball athletes. (2) Methods: A randomized clinical trial with blinded examiners was carried out. Elite handball athletes with shoulder pain and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (n = 30) were randomly allocated to the DN group or the DF group. Patients in both groups received a single treatment session directly applied to the teres major muscle. The primary outcome variables and instrument were mechanical properties of the teres major muscle (stiffness and tone) measured with myotonometry. The secondary outcome variables were intensity of shoulder pain evaluated with visual analogue scale and shoulder ROM and extensibility recorded with a digital inclinometer. (3) Results: No between-group differences were found after the intervention or at one-week follow-up in the mechanical properties of teres major muscle, pain intensity, shoulder ROM, or extensibility. (4) Conclusions: the DN and DF techniques showed similar results at both timepoints in elite handball athletes with shoulder pain and glenohumeral internal rotation deficits.

Return to Play and Long-Term Participation Following ACL Reconstruction in Elite Handball Players

Return to Play and Long-Term Participation Following ACL Reconstruction in Elite Handball Players

CORRELATION BETWEEN INDICATORS OF BALANCE OF NERVOUS PROCESSES WITH LOCALIZATION OF CONTROL IN HIGH SKILLED WOMEN HANDBALL PLAYERS

Introduction. The problem of finding the psychological resource of the athlete remains relevant. Success in sports largely depends on the athlete’s individual psychological characteristics. Many authors, based on research, conclude that the internal locus of control has a positive effect on performance in team and non-team sports. It seems to be an interesting scientific problem to study the gender aspect of this problem.
 The purpose of the study: to establish a relation between the locus of control and the characteristics of the response to the moving object of elite women handball players.
 Materials and Methods: Athletes of the Ukrainian National women handball team (21 players aged 17 to 28, experience in this sport from 5 to 19 years) took part in the research. To study the locus of athletes' control over significant events, the method for the research of the level of subjective control (LSC) by J. Rotter was used. Software and hardware complex “BOS-test-Professional” for psychological and psychophysiological diagnostics was used to determine the characteristics of the athlete’s response to the moving object.
 Results: A study of internality found that the majority of skilled handball players (61.9%) have a general internal type of locus of control. The vast majority of athletes tend to take responsibility in the field of productive (sports) relations (81%), areas of achievement (71.4%) and failures (52.4%). However, in areas such as family relationships, health and illness, most athletes share responsibility with the social environment and feel unable to control external circumstances. A correlation has been identified between the internality of locus of control and the ratio of nervous processes (inhibition and excitation) in elite women handball players. Higher stability of athletes' responses to a moving object is associated with a more pronounced internal locus of control, but only in the field of family relations. The obtained data indicate a more optimal functional state of the athlete’s central nervous system with internal locus of control.
 Conclusions: Family relationships and health & illness are the most sensitive areas for female athletes. This fact provides a basis for gender mainstreaming in psychological support activities.

The Effect of an Exercise Program on the Biomechanics of the Shoulder Girdle in Overhead Shooting in High-level Handball Players

Handball athletes are subjected to high loads, especially during the process of throwing or shooting overhead. These athletes often complain of pain and report unexplained loss of throwing velocity and throwing control. Shoulder dyskinesia and overuse syndrome have been identified as risk factors among elite handball athletes. Understanding the dynamics and kinematics of the throwing phase is vital for the exercise professional. This study evaluates the effect of an interventional exercise program on shoulder girdle biomechanics and overhead shooting. The sample consisted of 20 high level handball athletes from Greece. The athletes were divided into two groups: 10 in the study group, who were given the exercise program, and 10 in the control group, who only engaged in in-team handball training. Before and after the program, the following measurements were performed: a) angular measurements of abduction, adduction, flexion and extension of the shoulder; b) isokinetic evaluation of abduction flexion and adduction extension of the shoulder joint, at three angular velocities (60°/sec, 180°/sec and 300°/sec). Inferential statistics showed that there was a statistically significant difference in angular measurements with a reduction in range of motion for 10 of the study group. In the isokinetic assessment there was a statistically significant difference, in the 180°/sec velocities in flexion and extension, and in the deficit of flexion of both shoulders. In conclusion, the interventional exercise program had, to some extent, a beneficial effect on muscle strengthening of the shoulder girdle. The results of this study may suggest training guidelines, provide important information to exercise professionals, and provide feedback to handball athletes.

The effects of a high intensity resistance and eccentric strength training program on the performance of handball players

This study aimed to was to determine the effect of interval and resistance training with a focus on the eccentric phase on the cardiovascular fitness and strength of elite handball players. Thirty handball players were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (age= 20.93±1.70; weight= 78.20±4.58; height= 178.26±3.86) and a control group (age= 21.40±1.76; weight= 77.64±5.92; height= 176.87±4.43). The variables of this study were muscle strength and stamina, power, and cardiovascular fitness. They were assessed by chest press test, push-up, medicine ball throw test, and the Cooper Test, respectively. The training program took place over 12 weeks, with five sessions per week, consisting of two aerobic exercises, and three muscular resistance training exercises focused on the eccentric phase. To analyze the effect of training, a paired sample t-test was employed. The results of this study showed that there were significant pre- to post-test differences in muscle strength (p=0.001), muscle stamina (p=0.001), muscle power (p=0.001), and cardiovascular fitness (p=0.001). The results of the present study indicated that a 12-week eccentric-focused interval and resistance training program improved the strength, stamina, power, and cardiovascular fitness of elite handball players. Keywords: Interval training, Push up Test, medicine ball throw, preseason.

Effect of sex on muscle-tendon imbalances and tendon micromorphology in adolescent athletes-A longitudinal consideration.

Imbalances between muscle strength and tendon stiffness may cause high-level tendon strain during maximum effort muscle contractions and lead to tendon structural impairments and an increased risk for tendinopathy in adolescent athletes. However, it remains unclear whether the development of musculotendinous imbalances is influenced by sex. At four measurement time points during a competitive season, we measured quadriceps femoris muscle strength and patellar tendon mechanical properties in 15 female (14.3 ± 0.7 years) and 13 male (16.0 ± 0.6 years) elite handball players of similar maturity using dynamometry and ultrasonography. To estimate the tendon's structural integrity, the peak spatial frequency (PSF) of proximal tendon ultrasound scans was determined. Females demonstrated significantly lower muscle strength (p < 0.001) and patellar tendon stiffness (p < 0.001) than males with no significant changes over time (p > 0.05). Tendon strain during isometric maximum voluntary contractions and PSF neither differed between sexes nor changed significantly over time (p > 0.05). We found lower fluctuations in muscle strength (p < 0.001) in females during the season but no differences in the fluctuations of tendon strain, stiffness, and PSF (p > 0.05). Descriptively, there was a similar frequency (~40%) of athletes with high-level tendon strain (>9%) in both sexes. These findings suggest that the lower strength capacity of female athletes is paralleled by lower tendon stiffness. Thereby, muscle-tendon imbalances occur to a similar extent in both sexes leading to increased strain levels during the season, which indicates the need for specific tendon training.

Need of clearer guidelines at an organizational level with improved collaboration and improved management of handball players with a head injury - The SWEdish CONcussion study in elite handball

Background: Handball is a contact sport, and a head-injury is one of many possible injuries. The diagnosis concussion has been reported as one of the more complex sports injuries, both regarding the diagnostic procedure and the sports medical management and rehabilitation. Hereby a handball-related head-injury is expected to be challenging both for the players and for the medical-team and there is a need to explore how medical team professionals’ reason regarding management and return to play. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore how the medical team in Swedish elite handball, medical doctors and physiotherapists, reason regarding principals of managing a handball related head-injury and return to sport decisions. Methods: A Qualitative individual interview study with a semi-structured interview guide was performed. Data was analyzed with content analysis and an inductive approach. Study participants were eight medical doctors and twelve physiotherapist supporting Swedish elite handball team during the season of 2019/2020. Results: The participants descriptions and reasoning regarding management and return to play principals emerged into the following three main categories; “Organization and working routine”; “Experienced complicating factors and feeling insufficient and scarce”; “Management strategies”. Together with nine subcategories the analysis exposed a variety of principals, challenges and expressed needs related to the process of medical decisions and management for handball players sustaining a head injury. Conclusion: The results reveal a need for clearer guidelines, enhanced collaboration, and improved management of head-injuries. There is also an expressed need for sharpened handball rules and regulations as well as a need of clarified health-care pathways for players with more complex post-concussion symptoms. The medical team members expressed an uncertainty regarding symptoms due to the concussion, so being acquainted with the player is hereby very important.

Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness during a Season in Elite Female Soccer, Basketball, and Handball Players

The purpose of the study was to examine and detect the changes in cardiorespiratory fitness of female soccer, basketball, and handball players during an annual training cycle. In the study, 19 soccer players (23.2 ± 4.3 years), 26 basketball players (21.1 ± 5.4 years), and 26 handball players (21.1 ± 4.2 years) participated. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and a laboratory maximal oxygen uptake test (VO2max) at the beginning of the preparation training period, in the middle of the competitive season, and at the end of it. VO2max showed significant changes in all three team sports from the initial measurement to the final, with a significant value increase in the middle of the competitive season and a small drop at the end (soccer 52.1 ± 5.6 vs. 59.6 ± 6.3 vs. 53.5 ± 5.4, basketball 44.6 ± 5.8 vs. 50.3 ± 8.5 vs. 45.9 ± 6.4, and handball 47.9 ± 4.8 vs. 49.1 ± 5.3 vs. 46.7 ± 4.9 mL/kg/min) (p &lt; 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the cardiorespiratory fitness of female soccer, basketball, and handball players was significantly improved in the middle of the competitive season, probably due to the development of physical capacity. The decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness at the end of the competitive season, which was observed in all three team sport athletes, possibly occurred due to the differentiation in the training program.

Situational Analysis and Tactical Decision-Making in Elite Handball Players

Situational analysis and decision-making represent key elements of elite sports performances, but few studies have investigated which player’s skills related to these aspects are relevant in elite handballers. The aim of this study was to address differences among handballers belonging to two tiers in processing situational probabilities information related to offensive and defensive situations. A total of 38 handballers (male = 22, female = 16, age: 25.6 ± 6.5 years, first-tier = 11, second-tier = 27) saw videos about different offensive and defensive actions. According to the temporal occlusion paradigm, each handballer provided a response about the best action a selected player had to perform according to the game’s context. The time, accuracy, and technical correctness of each player’s response were assessed. MANOVA revealed moderate-to-high skills differences between first- and second-tier players. First-tier players provided higher scores in response time and accuracy; they also obtained higher technical correctness scores in the most complex situation. The members of the first tier seemed to mainly depend on the accuracy of responses, even if the technical correctness also resulted in a predictor in the most complex situation. Playing in the best tier seems to require the development of very good skills related to processing situational probability information; therefore, training these elements seems to be necessary for determining the differences among elite handballers.

Relación entre la velocidad de lanzamiento y la fuerza específica evaluada a través de dinamometría electromecánica funcional (DEMF) en jugadores de balonmano

Objective. To study the relationship between the specific strength in handball, assessed with Functional Electromechanical Dynamometer (FEMD), and throwing velocity. Methods. Thirteen Spanish elite handball players were evaluated (28.77 ± 4.81 years, 90.19 ± 13.07 kg y 1.86 ± 0.10 m) during the preseason. A day of familiarization with the throwing velocity and strength test with FEMD was performed. One week later, the assessment of specific strength, including the upper and lower body (unilateral pullover test and step forward test) and throwing velocity was conducted by the subjects. Results. Significant correlations were found between (i) throwing velocity peak and isometric strength mean in unilateral pullover test with the dominant hand (r = 0.548, p = 0.05), and (ii) between throwing velocity peak and step forward test with the dominant leg (r = 0.628, p = 0.02). Conclusion. Training exercises closer to real game situations are positively related to performance enhancement in handball players. Therefore, the use of devices that allow the assessment and training at the same time in specific situations, should be extended in the sport coaches and researches.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN WOMEN’S HANDBALL ELITE PLAYERS – MIDDLE RANKING COUNTRIES SPECIFICS

This qualitative research aimed to study the career development outcomes of women's handball players. The purpose was to identify the socio-cultural factors and personal characteristics that enabled athletes from geographically small countries with middle-ranking national handball teams to fulfil their sporting career goals. Data collection via semi-structured interviews and systematic observation of the athlete's career development commenced in 2012 and lasted one decade. Career development was one part of the questions; the other parts concerned migration and dual careers. Altogether sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted – with players ranked in the top ten players in their national teams, and all had played more than 50 international matches; after the observation phase, the eight players still actively playing at the elite handball level were re-interviewed; all were sports migrants. In the final stage of the study, two additional interviews were done – with two athletes who were among the players with the most successful careers in Europe at that time but not having migration experience. The study concluded that parents and coaches are the most important social support in career development in the first career phase. In the second phase, access to dual career prospects is vital to successful career development, parallel with elite handball sports conditions in a club and national teams. A successful migration path seems to be one of the significant factors in evaluating success in sports career development.

Increased Tone and Stiffness of the Teres Major Muscle in Elite Handball Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the elite handball (HB) athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) present differences in the mechanical properties in the teres major muscle, and strength and extensibility of the posterior shoulder tissues of the throwing shoulder (TS) compared to the non-throwing (non-TS) and non-HB athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, with sixty male participants: 30 HB athletes with GIRD and 30 age-matched healthy non-HB athletes. Mechanical properties of the teres major muscle were measured with MyotonPRO; also, extensibility of the posterior shoulder tissues and maximum isometric internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) strength were recorded. Results: The teres major muscle of the TS in the HB group achieved a higher tone (Δ 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.53) and stiffness (Δ 30.86; 95% CI: 23.04,38.68), and a lower relaxation time compared to the non-TS of the same group (Δ −0.69; 95% CI: −1.15, −0.24;) and to the TS of the control group for the tone (Δ 0.36; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.70) and for the stiffness (Δ 27.03; 95% CI: 15.24, 38.83). The extensibility of the TS of the HB group presented a statistically significant decrease compared to the control group (Δ−7.83; 95% CI: −12.42, 3.23). A between-groups ER/IR ratio imbalance was found for the TS (Δ−12.18; 95% CI: −25.59, −1.23) and the non-TS (Δ−13.01; 95% CI: −25.79, −0.25). Conclusions: HB athletes with GIRD present a higher tone and stiffness of the teres major muscle and lack of extensibility of the tissues of the posterior part of the shoulder compared to the non-TS and to healthy non-HB athletes.

Are they all born to score? The relationship between throwing arm and scoring from the 7-meter line in semi-professional handball

ABSTRACT Indications of laterall biases favouring left-handers have been found in various sports; especially interactive sports where the athletes have limited time to react to incoming objects. The aim of this study was therefore to explore whether any lateral biases exist in handball by examining 7-meter shots. A total of 6846 7-meter throws from 240 7-meter shooters across four seasons in the semi-professional Icelandic elite handball division (male and female) were analyzed. Out of the 240 7-meter shooters, of which 151 were male and 89 were female, 22% were left-handed (22% of the males and 20% of the females). The left-handed 7-meter shooters took a disproportionate number of the 7-meter shots, with left-handed shooters performing 29% of the 7-meter shots (27% in the male league and 33% in the female league). The results of a Bayesian two-level analysis indicated that left-handedness is not associated with greater success from the 7-meter line at the semi-professional level.

Analysis of contextualized intensity in Men’s elite handball using graph-based deep learning

ABSTRACT Manual annotation of data in invasion games is a costly task which poses a natural limit on sample sizes and the level of granularity used in match and performance analyses. To overcome this challenge, this work introduces FAUPA-ML, a Framework for Automatic Upscaled Performance Analysis with Machine Learning, which leverages graph neural networks to scale domain-specific expert knowledge to large data sets. Networks were trained using position data of match phases (counter/position attacks), annotated manually by domain experts in 10 matches. The best network was applied to contextualize N = 539 matches of elite handball (2019/20–2021/22 German Men’s Handball Bundesliga) with 86% balanced accuracy. Distance covered, speed, metabolic power, and metabolic work were calculated for attackers and defenders and differences between counters and position attacks across seasons analyzed with an ANOVA. Results showed that counter attacks are shorter, less frequent and more intense than position attacks and that attacking is more intense than defending. Findings show that FAUPA-ML generates accurate replications of expert knowledge that can be used to gain insights in performance analysis previously deemed infeasible. Future studies can use FAUPA-ML for large-scale, contextualized analyses that investigate influences of team strength, score-line, or team tactics on performance.