Male Handball Players Research Articles

Evaluation of handball players’ anxiety and depression levels and anxiety about catching the novel coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: This study aims to determine the anxiety, depression and anxiety levels with regard to contracting COVID-19 of professional handball players during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the associated factors. Material and Methods: A total of 119 handball players aged between 18 and 40 years participated in the study. Research data were collected when the professional leagues were completed, and the Turkish Ministry of Health began to relax restrictions within the country. The socio-demographic characteristics of handball players, training information, factors associated with COVID-19, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Athletes' Anxiety Scale for Catching Novel Coronavirus were used to collect the data. Results: The anxiety levels of male handball players were found to be higher than female handball players (p<0.010). The depression (p=0.016) and COVID-19 anxiety (p=0.015) levels were higher in handball players with weekly training hours of ten hours or less. Conclusion: Maintaining at least ten hours of training per week, even under adverse conditions, such as a pandemic and isolation, may have a positive psychological effect on athletes. Providing psychological support to athletes during certain periods may contribute to the prevention of anxiety and depression in athletes.

Examination of Some Respiratory Functions, and Physical and Motor Skills of Male Athletes in the High School Team

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of sports on some motoric, physical, and lung functions of athletes and sedentary individuals in the same age group with young individuals playing in high school teams in different sports branches. A total of 60 volunteer individuals, including 45 athletes (15 male basketball players, 15 male handball players, 15 male football players), and 15 male sedentary individuals participated in the study. FVC (l), FEV1 (l), PEF (l/s), FEF 25/75 (l/s) and MVV (l/min) values were not statistically different between the branches (p>0.05). FEV1 / FVC % values differed between branches (p<0.05). FEV1 / FVC % values differed between branches (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference between branches in 30 m speed values (p>0.05). 30 m durability at velocity values were found to be different between branches (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the branches according to their mean grip strength values (p>0.05). In our study, athletes who played in high school teams had better lung function than those who did not play sports with the same physical characteristics and when FEV1/FVC ratios were evaluated, the risk of developing obstructive and restrictive lung diseases was lower.

Differences between Elite and Professional Male Handball Players in Kinematic Parameters of Single Fake Movement

Feint movement is an important factor for offensive players to outplay their guard, and score. So far, there is no evidence of feint biomechanical analysis on a sample of elite players in handball or other team sports. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate kinematic parameters of single side fake movement between elite and professional level handball players. The sample of participants consisted of 10 handball players divided into two subsamples: elite handball players (100.00 ± 8.00 kg; 196.00 ± 4.64 cm) and professional handball players (91.20 ± 3.42 kg; 192.4 ± 7.30 cm). The kinematic analysis was conducted using a GAIT-LaBACS software system. Variables consisted of two phases (fake phase and actual phase) of feint single change of direction. Both phases included seven kinematic parameters that were observed. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistic parameters. The differences between elite and professional handball players were analyzed by multivariate and univariate variance analysis. Results showed significant differences between elite and professional players (λ = 0.44, p = 0.00), in fake phase (i.e., 1. Phase). The results also indicate that in there is no statistically significant difference between both groups (λ = 0.64, p = 0.22). Two variables had significant differences between elite and professional players (i.e., step length of the stride leg (p = 0.02) and moving the leg opposite the throwing arm in space (p = 0.00)). To conclude, the article examines specific movement patterns of single side fake movement in elite players and the confirmed importance of efficient skill execution in top level handball. On the contrary, less skilled players use more space for the same technical element.

Comparison between Match and Training Session on Biomarker Responses in Handball Players.

A variety of loads are placed upon an athlete in team sports (e.g., training, match, or competitions). However, the volume of the training load plays an important role in match success. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the differences in biomarker dynamics during the match and during training, and to evaluate if such training represents a good stimulus for an athlete to adapt to match stress. Ten male handball players (average age of 24.1 ± 3.17 years, body height of 1.88 ± 0.64 m, and body mass of 94.6 ± 9.6 kg) took part in this study. Their saliva cortisol, testosterone, and alpha-amylase were sampled during the match and training (sessions of 90 min duration, respectively). The results showed that cortisol had higher values after the match (0.65 µg/dL) than after training (0.32 µg/dL) (p = 0.05; ES = 0.39). Testosterone concentrations had a steeper increase during a match (65%) than after training (37%). Alpha-amylase levels did not differ significantly between the match and training (p = 0.77; ES = -0.06). Overall, the results showed that the environment of a match was more stressful for the athletes; therefore, a match provoked a stronger endocrine response in the studied markers. Therefore, we concluded that a match seemed to be a stronger trigger for all of the measured biomarker responses.

Bilateral index, power, force, and velocity during bench press with different loads in male handball players.

Bilateral index for upper limbs was determined for maximal force, speed and power in 18 male handball players. Variables were individually assessed with a functional electromechanical dynamometer during unilateral and bilateral bench press push-off for 40%, 60%, and 75% of the maximal isometric force. Limb dominance (symmetry indices) and load effects in the bilateral index were analysed. Bilateral index showed a bilateral deficit for power (range = -8.50 to -41.48) and velocity (range = -11.15 to -38.41), that increases with the load (p < 0.05). For maximum force, a bilateral facilitation (range = 2.26-5.57), which did not vary significantly as a function of load, was observed. Symmetry indices showed no association with the bilateral index (40% load: r = 0.45, 60% load: r = 0.05, 75% load: r = 0.39). These results contribute to understanding the phenomenon; however, individual-to-individual observation reflects that caution should be kept when assessing an individual athlete. In conclusion, bilateral deficit or facilitation for bench press depends on the variable considered, whereas its magnitude depends on the load. Moreover, limb dominance does not affect it. This finding must be regarded as a general trend, but a different situation may occur during the assessment of a particular athlete.

Metabolic power in the men’s European handball championship 2020

ABSTRACT Purpose To ascertain the typical metabolic power characteristics of elite handball players of different positions, and whether changes occur within matches. Methods 414 elite male handball players were included. During all 65 matches of the EURO 2020, local positioning system data were collected, yielding 1853 datasets. Field players were categorised into six positional groups: centre backs (CB), left/right wings (LW/RW), left/right backs (LB/RB) and pivots (P). Metabolic power, total energy expenditure, high-power energy, and the equivalent distance index were calculated. We used linear mixed models with players as random and positions as fixed effects models. Intensity models adjusted for time-dependency by incorporating the duration of play. Results LW/RW spent most time on the court, expanded most total energy, and most relative energy per kg body weight in the high-intensity categories. CB played at the highest mean metabolic power (7.85 W/kg; CI95% [7.67, 8.03]). Playing intensity decreased by 2.5% (0.2 kJ/kg/s; CI95% [0.17, 0.23]) per 10 min played. Conclusion Positional differences in metabolic power parameters exist. In general, wing players had the highest volume and CB the highest intensity of match-play. Analysis of metabolic intensity in handball should take position and players’ time on the court into account.

The Effect of Different Warm-Up Protocols on the Motor and Technical Skills of Handball Players in Sports Education

Warm-up programs in sports education can provide positive developments in motor and technical skills. The objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of ballistic, dynamic, and static warm-up protocols on motor and technical skills in male handball players. Twelve male handball players (mean age: 19.50±3.97 years) from the second league in Turkey participated in this study voluntarily. Warm-up protocols were implemented for the participants at the same time on three different days. At the beginning of the study, the height and body masses of the handball players were measured. After each warm-up protocol, 9-m shot, over-the-block shot, vertical jump, T agility, 20-m sprint, flexibility, and flamingo balance tests were conducted on the participants. The normality level of the data was determined by the Shapiro-Wilk test using the SPSS statistical program. While Repeated Measures ANOVA and the Bonferroni test from post hoc analysis were applied to data with normal distribution, the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with the Bonferroni correction were used for non-normally distributed data. According to our findings, there was a significant difference between the warm-up protocols in the T agility, flexibility, and over-the-block shooting tests (p &lt; 0.05), while no significant difference was found in the vertical jump, 20-m sprint, balance, or 9-m shooting tests (p &gt; 0.05). The ballistic warm-up protocol applied to male handball players in sports education provided positive improvements in flexibility and over-the-block shooting skills, while the dynamic warm-up protocol yielded positive improvements in agility and flexibility.

Influence of Biological Maturation Status on Kinanthropometric Characteristics, Physical Fitness and Diet in Adolescent Male Handball Players

The aims of this research were to analyze the differences in kinanthropometric characteristics and physical performance as a function of biological maturation, as well as to analyze these differences with the inclusion of the covariates age, maturity offset and diet, and to know how the players were classified according to BMI z-score. Seventy-three handball players (mean age: 14.17 ± 0.61) underwent a kinanthropometric assessment, physical performance tests and self-completed the KIDMED questionnaire. The sample was divided into three groups based on age at peak height velocity (APHV). Significant differences were found for basic measurements, BMI, BMI z-score, Cormic Index, muscle mass, medicine ball throw and SJ jump (p &lt; 0.000–0.048), with early maturers having the highest values. All covariates included had a determinant influence on the kinanthropometric characteristics (p &lt; 0.000–0.014), and both age and maturity offset showed significant differences in most physical tests (p &lt; 0.000–0.033), so these covariates should be considered in evaluations to predict the future performance of players. Finally, significant differences were found between the biological maturation groups in the distribution of the BMI classification, with the normal-weight grade being the predominant one.

The Relationship between Specific Game-Based and General Performance in Young Adult Elite Male Team Handball Players

Physical performance is an essential factor for becoming a top elite team handball player; however, the relationship between specific and general physical performance is not well known. Consequently, the aim of the study was (1) to analyze the relationship between specific game-based and general physical performance in young elite male team handball players, and (2) to reduce the number of tests for a more practical implementation of physical performance diagnostics in team handball. Twenty young adult elite male team handball field players (18.6 ± 2.1 years) performed the team handball game-based performance test (GBPT), including specific movements in offense and defense such as catching, passing and throwing a ball, sprinting, stops, changes in direction, jumping, checking and screening, as well as general tests, including a 20 m sprinting test, a repeated sprint ability test (RSA), a modified t-test, countermovement (CMJ), squat (SJ) and drop jump test (DJ), a standing long jump test, a single-leg lateral three jumps test, a standing throw test, and the determination of the one repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press, bench pull, front squat, and deadlift. Significant correlations were mostly found between different sprinting and jumping tests as well as between different strength tests. The principal component factor analysis revealed four components (power and speed, strength, jump shot performance, and endurance) including 21 variables of high loads (&gt;0.60 or &lt;−0.60). Due to the correlations between the different tests, we suggest a more practicable testing procedure including the 20 m sprinting test, CMJ test, 1RM in the bench press and front squat, as well as the GBPT for elite teams, or the t-test and the YoYo intermittent recovery test for youth and non-elite teams. Despite some correlations between specific and general tests, we suggest using the GBPT to measure specific performance in team handball.

Examining the Correlation Analysis of Functional Movement Screening Test (Fms) with Upper Limb Function in Male (Amateur And Non-Amateur) Handball Players

The purpose of the study. is to see if there's a link between of male (Amateur and non-amateur) players college of physical education &amp; sports science Al-Qadisiyah University functional sports screens (FMS) and upper limb function. Materials and methods. The competition attracted 100 volleyball players ranging in age from 18 to 25 years old. BMI is calculated as 60-75 kg for heights of 170-200 cm. Keep a digital record for later analysis. At least 3 months before to involvement, there is no history of musculoskeletal injury. The seven functional motor evaluation exercise modes (squat, hurdle step, overhead squat action, inline lunge, shoulder flexibility, straight leg elevation test, trunk stability push-up test) are employed as assessment tools for sports injury prevention. Questionnaire for the Assessment of Arm Disability (DASH). This test is used to assess upper limb function. There is a significant Pearson correlation coefficient. p≤0.05 is used to check whether there is a connection between variables. Results. Research results show that high scores for measuring arm injuries are different from performance screening test scores. (r=.178, P=0.01) There is a strong connection between them. Conclusions. Coaches and sports experts seem to believe that choosing the right exam for athletes is crucial.

Level of oxytocin prior to rugby and handball matches: An exploratory study among groups of Polish players

The aim of the present exploratory study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin (OT) concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. The relative level of OT to creatinine (OT/CRE) significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Significant differences were only between OT/CRE level in a day of match in rugby players and in 5 days before match in handball players (p&lt;0.05). There was no change in oxytocin levels during the time periods between five days before and on the day of a match, in either of the two kinds of players. The change in oxytocin might be traceable during the match but not before a match and this perhaps depends on a more subtle context of competition, but not on the assumption of competition. Further studies are needed based on more homogenous group with higher number of matches.

The effects of handball and waterpolo training on blood nitric oxide and oxidative stress levels

Objective: Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas that has vasodilatory, antioxidant and metabolic regulatory properties. Both NO and oxidative stress (OS) are risk factors for atherosclerosis (AS). These properties of NO, therefore play a critical role in training adaptations. Handball and water polo are team sports requiring aerobic and anaerobic energy. However, since they are practised in different environments, their effects on blood NO and OS levels may be different. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of these two team sports on blood NO and OS levels. Material and Methods: Male handball players (HG, n=14), water polo players (WPG, n=12) and a control group (CG, n=13) of sedentary players participated in this study. Physical and physiological measurements, including critical velocity of the participants were made. The participants' fasting serum NO and OS indicators, and total antioxidant/oxidant status (TAS/TOS) were determined. Results: TAS levels of HG and WPG were significantly lower than those of the control group (p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.01), whereas their NO levels were higher than those of CG (19.5% and 25.7% respectively, p&gt;0.05). No significant difference was present for NO between HG and WPG. A significant negative correlation was present between CV and serum NO level, and there was a positive correlation between maximal 1500 m running time and NO for handball players. Conclusions: The findings of the study reveal that although training caused a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity in two team sports athletes, serum NO levels improved, thereby contributing to cardiovascular health. NO may harm aerobic endurance performance, but it had a beneficial effect on anaerobic power in the handball group, and none for water polo players.

Change of Direction Ability as a Sensitive Marker of Adaptation to Different Training Configurations, and Different Populations: Results from Four Experiments.

This article includes four separate experiments. In the first experiment male beach handball players (n = 24) were randomly assigned to regular training (n = 12) or plyometric and sprint training (n = 12). In the second experiment, male players were assigned to a handball practice only (n = 12), a plyometric training (n = 12), or an eccentric-overload (e.g., versa-pulley machine) training group (n = 12). In the third experiment, participants were assigned to padel training (n = 12) or specific on-court neuromuscular technical actions (n = 12). In the fourth experiment, females between 50-59 years (n = 25), 60-64 years (n = 25), and 65-70 years (n = 25) completed 10 weeks of bench stepping training involving jumps, and were compared to age-matched controls (n = 45). The COD ability was assessed with the 10-m COD ability test (experiments one and two), the COD ability test with 90º and 180º turns (third experiment), and with the timed-up-and-go test (fourth experiment). In experiment one, greater COD improvement was noted in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In experiment two, both intervention groups similarly improved COD when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In experiment three, although no significant group-time interactions were observed for COD, the experimental group improved all COD measures pre-post-training (p < 0.05), with a larger effect size for COD with 180° turn to the right compared to the control group (effect size = 0.8 vs. 0.3). In experiment four, the three training groups improved COD ability compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, COD is a sensitive marker of adaptation to different training configurations in these diverse groups.

Correlation between linear speed, change of direction speed and dribble deficit in male handball players

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between linear sprint and change of direction (COD) speed using the novel approach of the Dribble Deficit (DD) among professional handball players. This study included 14 male professional handball players (age = 23.1 ± 3.43). Each player performed the following tests: a 10, 20 and 30 meter linear sprint; a zig-zag test; a slalom test and 4 × 5 agility test with and without a ball. A significant correlation was found between the DD at 10 m and the 10 m sprint with the ball (p &lt; 0.05, r = 0.575). Additionally, the results showed that the values of dribble deficit during slalom test were related (p &lt; 0.01) to the 20-m sprint with the ball (r = 0.767), the 30-m sprint with a ball (r = 0.765) and the slalom with a ball (r = 0.938). Regression analyses showed significant influence of the linear sprint at 10 m on DD (p = 0.02, R2 = 0.373), and the zig-zag test without ball on the DD (p = 0.004, R2 = 0.514). The results suggest that the linear sprint and zig-zag test used to evaluate COD movement speed are associated with and influence DD in professional handball players. Further research on DD is necessary in order to determine that DD is not influence by physical performance and how we can use it in the future to calculate the time required for dribbling.

Mapping cognitive positions on fear of retirement among sport professional handball players

Not all professional athletes experience retirement from sport in the same way, and the consequences of retirement can vary from one individual to another. The objective of the present study was to map the way in which male professional handball players cognitively integrated four information cues (social support, career achievements, preparation for retirement, and sports practice after retirement as a professional) when judging the degree of fear of retirement from professional sport. A total of 146 participants rated their judgment of fear of retirement from professional sport in 54 scenarios built from all possible combinations of these information cues. By performing cluster analyses and analyses of variance, four clusters were identified: “No Fear When Fully Prepared”; “Less Fear”; “Undetermined”; “Fear Always Present”. When judging retirement from professional sport, professional handball players had different positions. Practitioners should take account of these differences when helping athletes to prepare for or deal with retirement from professional sport.

Influence of plyometric jump training on the physiological changes of male handball players

Influence of plyometric jump training on the physiological changes of male handball players

The influence of 8 weeks of endurance training on blood lactate threshold for male handball players

The influence of 8 weeks of endurance training on blood lactate threshold for male handball players

Anthropometric profile of the top-class male handball players participating in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Purpose The purpose of the study was to try to determine the factors that differentiate the height, weight, BMI, and age of high-level handball players participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Methods The study included handball players participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The study material consisted of data on athletes' body height, body weight, age, and BMI. The collected study material was analyzed about the position of the game, quarter and semester of the birth, continental location of the country, and geographical region. In parametric distribution, Student’s t-test and ANOVA were used. In non-parametric variables, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results The highest average heights, weights, and BMIs are found in players playing in the pivot position, while the lowest are found in wing players. Interactions were shown within the body weight and BMI of the athletes. Players from Europe have the highest weight and BMI in the second semester of birth, while other players' highest results were in the first semester. Conclusions The factors that most strongly differentiate body height, body weight, and BMI are playing position. Factors that differentiate height and weight are the continental location and region of the country represented.

On-court throwing activity of male handball players during the European Championship 2020.

The aim of this study was to investigate the on-court throwing activity in regards to playing positions, throwing zones on the court and throwing velocity category during the male European Championship 2020. A local positioning system with microsensors placed both in the shirts of the players and inside the ball itself was used. In total, 6568 throws were retrieved for analysis from the entire tournament. Results showed that first-line players (wings and line players) used their natural zone more to throw (65% left wing, 60% right wing, and 97% line player), showing higher effectiveness from there (p < 0.05). Second lines players distributed more of their throws (45% left back, 50% right back and 32% center back in their natural zones) giving priority to the throws in 6 m, where they showed higher effectiveness (p < 0.05), or between the lines. Considering all players, shots from nearby and intermediate areas corresponded to 83% of the shots showing higher efficiency (p < 0.05) than shots performed from the areas furthest from the goal (14.9%. from zones 6-7-8). Back players mainly performed the highest velocity throws (Category 4 > ~100 km/h) from these furthest areas. Throwing velocity and effectiveness by throwing zones and positions was not significantly modified over the three rounds of the tournament (p > 0.05), indicating no effect of possible fatigue. A higher team ranking was associated with higher throwing efficiency but only for wing players. The results of this research could help handball coaches to better adjust training programs for the improvement of throwing velocity and its transfer to the competition.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, kinanthropometric characteristics and physical performance of young male handball players.

Handball is a team sport whose performance depends on a large number of factors. The objectives of the present study were to analyze the differences in physical performance, kinanthropometric variables, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in handball players according to sports category, as well as the possible relationships between these variables. One hundred and thirty-three male handball players (35 infant; 46 cadets; 26 juniors and 26 seniors players) underwent a kinanthropometric analysis following the ISAK protocol, self-completed the KIDMED questionnaire, and their physical condition was evaluated with different physical tests. Significant differences (p<0.001-0.007) were found between the sports categories in most of the physical condition variables and anthropometric characteristics, but not in the degree of adherence to the MD. The predominant level of adherence to the MD was medium (47.4%), followed by good (42.1%), and correlated with the body mass, the height, the BMI, the muscle mass and the ∑3-girths sum corrected, but not with physical test results. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that the fat mass and muscle mass variables had a more specific weight in the results of the physical fitness tests. There are differences according to sports category in kinanthropometric characteristics and physical fitness tests in adolescent handball players. The predominant degrees of adherence to the MD were medium and good. A relationship was found between anthropometric characteristics and physical performance in handball players.