Technical Match Characteristics and Influence of Body Anthropometry on Playing Performance in Male Elite Team Handball

Abstract

Modern team handball match-play imposes substantial physical and technical demands on elite players. However, only limited knowledge seems to exist about the specific working requirements in elite team handball. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the physical demands imposed on male elite team handball players in relation to playing position and body anthropometry. Based on continuous video recording of individual players during elite team handball match-play (62 tournament games, ∼4 players per game), computerized technical match analysis was performed in male elite team handball players along with anthropometric measurements over a 6 season time span. Technical match activities were distributed in 6 major types of playing actions (shots, breakthroughs, fast breaks, tackles, technical errors, and defense errors) and further divided into various subcategories (e.g., hard or light tackles, type of shot, claspings, screenings, and blockings). Players showed 36.9 ± 13.1 (group mean ± SD) high-intense technical playing actions per match with a mean total effective playing time of 53.85 ± 5.87 minutes. In offense, each player performed 6.0 ± 5.2 fast breaks, received 34.5 ± 21.3 tackles in total, and performed in defense 3.7 ± 3.5 blockings, 3.9 ± 3.0 claspings, and 5.8 ± 3.6 hard tackles. Wing players (84.5 ± 5.8 kg, 184.9 ± 5.7 cm) were less heavy and smaller (p < 0.001) than backcourt players (94.7 ± 7.1 kg, 191.9 ± 5.4 cm) and pivots (99.4 ± 6.2 kg, 194.8 ± 3.6 cm). In conclusion, modern male elite team handball match-play is characterized by a high number of short-term, high-intense intermittent technical playing actions. Indications of technical fatigue were observed. Physical demands differed between playing positions with wing players performing more fast breaks and less physical confrontations with opponent players than backcourt players and pivots. Body anthropometry seemed to have an important influence on playing performance because it is highly related to playing positions. The present observations suggest that male elite team handball players should implement more position-specific training regimens, while also focusing on anaerobic training and strength training.

High-Intensity Events in International Women’s Team Handball Matches

“…In addition, the need for rapid substitutions (both from and to the bench) could contribute to their higher values. specialized players than national team handball, due to a less homogenies playing standard in the national leagues 12 , which may explain why this has not been reported in previous studies.…”

“…However, there are studies in male handball, showing that back players is the position that display the highest total distance covered 6,12 .…”

“…Previous studies in team handball have aimed to elucidate the demands of full-time players, thus setting a high (≥ 70%) on-field time as an inclusion criteria 1,[5][6][7]11,12 . In the current study, players with considerable reduced on-field time were included, thus considering all on-court players and a possibly wider range of intensities.…”

“…Female team handball players are reported to cover a greater total distance per match when compared to male players, with an average running pace of 77.8 -79.6 mmin -1 10 . Low-intensity activities, such as standing still and walking, constitutes the highest portion of playing time (34 -81% of total playing time) in team handball 5,7,[10][11][12] . It has also been shown that team handball players spend a low percentage of total playing time in high velocity locomotive actions.…”

Match Statistics as Predictors of Team’s Performance in Elite competitive Handball. [Estadística del partido como predictor del rendimiento de equipo en el balonmano de élite].

“…Daza, G.; The present study focuses on team performance based on official statistics. Further research should include individual indicators of specific skills that can contribute to the overall team performance (Michalsik, Madsen, and Aagaard, 2015;Volossovitch, Dumangane, and Rosati, 2009). The collection of data on both individual and team performance could lead to an integrative model for explaining team success.…”