Specific Game-Based Performance in Elite Male Adolescent Team Handball Players

Abstract

Purpose: In elite team handball, talent identification and selection of the best young players is a fundamental process in several national federations and clubs; however, literature addressing the specific game-based performance in team handball is almost nonexistent. Consequently, the aim of the study was to assess and compare the team-handball-specific game-based performance of elite male team handball players of different ages. Methods: Twelve under-23, 10 under-19, 10 under-17, and 10 under-15 elite male players performed the team-handball game-based performance test. During testing, oxygen uptake, heart rate, sprinting time in defense, offense, fast breaks, and fast retreats, as well as ball velocity and jump height in the jump shot, were measured. Results: Significant differences (P < .05) between under-23, under-19, under-17, and under-15 players were found for absolute peak oxygen uptake, defense, offense and fast break time, ball velocity, and jump height in the game-based performance test, as well as in body weight and height. Conclusion: The results revealed that with increasing age, elite male team handball players are heavier and taller (body weight and height); faster (team-handball offense, defense, and fast break); jump higher and throw faster (in the team-handball jump shot); and perform better aerobically (absolute peak oxygen uptake). The better performance in the under-23 and under-19 players compared with male adult players competing in a lower National Federation league (not on top-elite level) demonstrates that highly specific game-based physical performance determines the potential for developing young male team handball players for competition at the top level.

Measures of Knee Capability in Handball Players Differ by Age: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Similarly, body weight and BMI are higher in older age groups in this study as well, although fat-free body mass was not measured. This trend was also noticed by Wagner, starting at the age of U15, U17, U19 and U23 aged elite athletes in Austria 38 .…”

“…On the other hand, in comparison to data of 42 elite handball players reported by Wagner et al 38 , jumping performance of all athletes barely differed, while Wagner`s participants were semiprofessional. In a study by Granados et al 26 , female elite (EP) and amateur players (AP) were compared by age (EP: 23.5 y avg.…”

Reference Values of Physical Performance in Handball Players Aged 13–19 Years: Taking into Account Their Biological Maturity

“…Notably, performance in handball is influenced by factors such as sexual, skeletal, and somatic maturation, which are crucial components for evaluating growth spurt. The duration and timing of this growth spurt can vary significantly among individuals [12]. Furthermore, specific anthropometric measurements, along with certain physical performance metrics, prove to be valuable for talent identification [12].…”

“…The duration and timing of this growth spurt can vary significantly among individuals [12]. Furthermore, specific anthropometric measurements, along with certain physical performance metrics, prove to be valuable for talent identification [12]. In youth handball teams, players who have attained advanced biological maturation are generally heavier and taller, displaying superior performance in tests that assess strength, speed, and power [2].…”