Age differences in selected measures of physical fitness in young handball players

Abstract

Objective The aims of the present study were: 1) to calculate the change of direction (COD) deficit (using a modified version of the 505 test and 10 m sprint time), and (2) to examine the differences in linear sprint, jump and COD performances, as well as COD deficit, between under-13 (U13) and under-15 (U15) male handball players. Methods One hundred and nineteen young male handball players (under-13 [U13; n = 82] and under-15 [U15; n = 37]). Tests included anthropometric measurements, countermovement jump (CMJ), triple leg-hop for distance, linear sprint test (5, 10 and 20 m), and a modified version of the 505 COD test. Results Results showed moderate to very large differences (P < 0.05) in age, predicted age at peak height velocity (APHV), distance from PHV (DPHV), height, and body mass between the age categories. Moreover, U15 players demonstrated higher performances in all jump tests and lower sprint times in 10- (ES = 0.84) and 20-m (ES = 0.51) and a higher 505 deficit (ES = 0.38) than the U13 players (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed for the 505 COD test between groups (ES = 0.12; P > 0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest that during the transition from pre- to post-puberty, young handball players should focus on transferring their progressive improvements in strength, speed, and power capacities to COD performance.

Physical fitness and throwing speed in U13 versus U15 male handball players

“…In the same line, when analyzing the COD test, and considering MO as covariate, results also indicated significant differences between groups, with older players performing better. These results are contrary to a previous study, using a similar sample from the same handball club [ 36 ], as well other studies, showing similar COD performance in different age groups of young athletes (e.g., soccer and tennis) [ 44 , 54 ]. Since there is a disproportional growth and disruption of motor coordination in complex motor coordination tasks (e.g., agility) at the ages around and after the PHV (e.g., “adolescent awkwardness”) [ 44 ], a compromised COD ability could be expected in the U15 players, as previously reported [ 36 ].…”

“…Moreover, an improved jumping performance seems to be relevant as competitive demands increase, given the relevance of jumping in handball activities such as throwing and blocking [ 4 , 20 ]. As previously mentioned, maturational advantages (i.e., body height, mass, absolute, and relative muscle mass) enable U15 versus U13 athletes to produce larger forces and to generate better muscle power, which contributes to sprint faster and jump higher (Table 4 ) [ 36 ]. Results are in line with previous research [ 4 , 20 ], reporting that players showed greater physical capacities, as their age and performance level increased.…”

“…This cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the performance in measures of physical fitness of two different age-categories of handball players (U15 and U13), from a top-level Spanish handball club, following a similar previous experimental design [ 36 ]. Testing sessions were undertaken between 4:30 and 7:00 pm, and players were assessed at their regular training facility.…”

“…Players’ capacity to perform a single, rapid 180° change-of-direction over a 5 m distance was measured using a modified version (stationary start) of the 5–0–5 agility test [ 36 ]. Players started in a standing split position with their preferred foot behind the starting line, followed by accelerating forward at maximal effort until reaching a line placed at a distance of 5 m. Three trials were completed and the best time was recorded (DSD Sport system, Spain).…”

Time–Motion Analysis by Playing Positions of Male Handball Players during the European Championship 2020

“…The results, focusing on the analyzed locomotion categories, are consistent with most of the handball time–motion studies, indicating during a significant duration of the game (over 70%), players perform low-intensity activities [ 7 , 9 , 13 , 21 , 23 ], walking, jogging, running, and only about 10% of the locomotion is done at high speed, which confirms that handball is an intermittent sport in which high intensity activities are the key to performance [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] and that high percentage of low intensity loads enable an athlete profile with medium values in aerobic capacity [ 28 ]. This should be considered by coaches for adequate training plans.…”