Contrasting morphology and training background in waterpolo teams of different competitive levels

Abstract

We aimed to describe and compare the general morphological, somatotype and training background characteristics of Iberian waterpolo players (22 Portuguese and 22 Spanish National Teams players) considering their playing positions. The International Working Group of Kinanthropometry guidelines was herein followed, and a somatochart was obtained through specific software (Somatotype, Calculation and Analysis. (c)2001 SWEAT technologies). Spanish players train more hours per week (22.8 ±9.5 vs.12.2 ±5.6), are taller (187.4 cm ±6.6 vs.180.3 cm ±5.1), heavier (89.2 kg ±11.6 vs.79.1 kg ±10.0), show higher arm span (195.7 cm ±8.5 vs.185.2 cm ±7.4) and muscle mass percentage (49.0% ± 1.8 vs.46.0% ±6.0), and tend to be more mesomorphic (5.19 ±1.27 vs.4.26 ±1.32) than the Portuguese players. Concerning field positions, Spanish center forward players train more hours per week than the Portuguese (20.2 ±9.1 vs.12.2 ±3.8) and show higher arm span (204.4 cm ±7.3 vs.184.0 cm ±6.5). Spanish goal keepers and outside players show higher muscle mass percentage (49.8% ±1.5 vs.42.2% ±5.2 and 49.4% ±1.5 vs.45.5% ±4.6, respectively) than the Portuguese players. These evidences should be taken into account for the improvement of waterpolo sport.

Training Loads, Wellness And Performance Before and During Tapering for a Water-Polo Tournament

“…We should also consider that the average training volume of our high-level water-polo players, participating in one of the most competitive national water-polo championships worldwide, was lower than that previously observed. Canossa et al (2014) reported that high-level Spanish players participated in training sessions lasting on the average 23 h per week. The subjects of the current study completed about 10 h of training per week during the study period, however, they had completed similar to high-level Spanish players training volume during the pre-season training period (i.e.…”

“…15 h per week). Furthermore, except for the training volume, other training characteristics such as exercise intensity and the players’ rate of perceived exertion were not provided in the study of Canossa et al (2014) and thus, direct comparisons between players competing in Greek and Spanish water-polo championships are not recommended. Whatever the case, the training background of players is a critical factor affecting the mode of training volume and load decrement during the taper period.…”

Características antropométricas y estado madurativo de waterpolistas adolescentes de alto rendimiento

“…Adicionalmente, en el estudio de las características antropométricas en waterpolistas, también se tiene constancia de estudios realizados con perfiles antropométricos de jugadores adultos de waterpolo españoles comparados con equipos de otros países 8,9 reportando que los jugadores españoles eran más altos, tenían manos más largas, con cuerpo más musculosos y con menor grasa corporal en comparación con los del equipo iraní 8 , así como también eran más altos, más pesados, mostraron brazos más largos, mayor porcentaje de masa muscular y tendían a ser más mesomórficos que los jugadores portugueses 9 .…”