Analysis of Fatigue Development During Elite Male Handball Matches

Abstract

This study aimed at describing the physiological demands and fatigue development during elite male handball matches. Our hypothesis was that players perform multiple high-intensity activities during periods of the game and develop temporary and end-match neuromuscular fatigue. Time-motion analyses and heart rate (HR) recordings were performed in 40 players during 12 competitive matches. Blood samples were collected, and sprint, jump, and intermittent exercise performance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance level 2 test [YYIE2]) was assessed for 18 players at baseline conditions and after 2 competitive matches, and additional blood sampling and testing were performed for 12 of these players during a friendly match. The time spent with high-intensity running (4.4 ± 2.0 to 3.1 ± 1.7%), the frequency of demanding actions (61 ± 5 to 54 ± 6), and the time with HR above 80% HRmax (62 ± 21 to 41 ± 17%) were lowered from the first to the second half. Average blood lactate during the match was 3.6 ± 2.1 (1.3-8.6) mM. Plasma free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, glucose, and uric acid increased (p ≤ 0.05) during the first half and plasma FFA and glycerol increased further (p ≤ 0.05) during the second half. After an intense period in the second half, sprint performance was decreased by 3.9 ± 4.9%. After the match, YYIE2 (33.4 ± 8.7%), vertical jump (7.4 ± 6.5%), and 20-m sprint performance (1.6 ± 2.6%) was lower (p ≤ 0.05) than at baseline. This study showed that the intensity is high in certain periods during elite male handball games and that physical performance is impaired both temporarily during and toward the end of games confirming our hypothesis. These findings enables physical trainers and coaches to plan and design proper game-specific training exercises aiming at delaying both temporary and end-game fatigue and strengthen the physiological rationale for the need for substitutions in various stages of match-play.

Activity Profiles in International Women’s Team Handball Using PlayerLoad

“…Inconsistent decrements were observed for activity levels in the present study, and have been reported from physical performance tests following team handball games in previous studies 7,8 . This suggests rotation strategies and interchanges can be sufficient to maintain the physical capacity of team handball players during matches, and especially of the team as a whole.…”

“…Findings of lower intensities for second half periods can be associated with previous observations of decreases between halves and throughout periods in team handball 2,3,5,7 . This is possibly attributed to physical impairment of players, and a consequent inability to work at the desired rate.…”

“…A consistent finding in time-motion studies of team handball is overall decreases in high-intensity activity in the second half 2,3,5,7 . Additionally, studies have reported declines in physical performance after team handball match play [7][8][9] .…”

“…The mean time between changes of high-and low-intensity activity in team handball games has been reported to be 55 seconds 3 , while one third of rest periods between intense runs have been found to be under 30 seconds 7 .…”

“…Additionally, studies have reported declines in physical performance after team handball match play [7][8][9] . Declined activity relative to playing time from the first to the second half is also reported in other team sports [10][11][12][13] .…”