Author/Authors :
Massuca، Luis نويسنده Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Lusofona
University, Lisbon, Portugal , , Branco، Braulio نويسنده Physical Education and Sport School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil , , Miarka، Bianca نويسنده Physical Education and Sport School, University of Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil , , Fragoso، Isabel نويسنده CIPER Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon,
Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal ,
Abstract :
Investigations have reported differences amongst player position
groups in elite team-Handball (HB) players. Nevertheless, studies with
normative physical fitness data of the HB playing positions at more than
two different levels of male HB players have not been reported yet. This
study aimed: 1) to describe and compare the physical fitness (PF)
attributes of male HB players in different playing positions, and 2) to
determine which combination of PF measures best discriminate the
performance level groups in each one of the individual HB playing
position groups. One hundred and sixty-one male HB players participated
in this study. The participants were divided into five playing position
groups: 1) Goalkeeper (GK, n = 24), 2) Wing (W, n = 48), 3) Back
left/right (BLR, n = 38), 4) Back center (BC, n = 29), 5) Pivot (Pi, n =
22), complementarily, performance level was recorded for each
participant according to the national HB association, i.e. 1) Top Elite,
2) Moderate Elite, 3) Sub-Elite or, 4) Moderately Trained. Stature and
body mass measures were taken from each HB player, and six fitness tests
were performed (30 -m sprint, handgrip, vertical jumps-SJ and CMJ,
sit-ups, and Yo-Yo IE2). Significant differences were observed between
HB playing position groups in body size, speed, and lower limb power and
handgrip strength. Nevertheless, 1) the performance in Yo-Yo IE2 was the
best measure to discriminate the performance level groups when
considering the HB goalkeeper group, HB center back group, and HB pivot
group; 2) the average leg power (in squat jump) and the number of
executions in sit up test successfully discriminated HB wing performance
level groups; and, 3) Stature, countermovement jump height and the
position in the Yo-Yo IE2, successfully discriminated HB left/right back
performance level groups. It can be concluded that HB players profile,
1) differs according to HB playing position group, and, 2) for the same
playing position group, it differs according to HB performance level.
This study also demonstrated the influence of aerobic capacity for HB
excellence, and according to playing positions.
