Influence of physical aspects and throwing velocity in opposition situation in top-elite and elite female handball players

The relationship between anthropometric and physical characteristics of female handball players and throwing velocity is considered an important factor in handball performance. The aim of this study was to examine key differences in anthropometric and fitness characteristics between top elite and elite female players competing in the first Spanish handball league. A total of 89 players from the first Spanish handball league were divided into two groups, top elite (38) and elite (51) players, and assessed for anthropometric and fitness characteristics (throwing velocity, vertical jump and hand grip strength). A Student’s t-test was used to determine whether a statistically significant difference between the two different levels of play occurred. Significant differences were found in age, body height, body mass, arm span, muscle mass, different girths (tensed and flexed arm, forearm, wrist, ankle), dominant hand width and length, different breadths (biacromial, bitrochanteric, bistyloid breadth and biepicondylar humerus) and fitness characteristics (hand grip strength and throwing velocity for different positions). Top elite players compared to elite players showed differences in anthropometric characteristics which were mainly located in the upper limbs and mostly were nonmodifiable aspects by training. Furthermore, the best players were able to maintain a high throwing velocity in different tactical situations

The Effect of Fin Use on the Speed of Lifesaving Rescues

The authors analyzed how using 2 types of fins altered the velocity ( v ) and fatigue indexes (FI) of lifeguards during mannequin carries. Ten participants performed 3 trials of 25-m mannequin carries at maximal v while barefoot and while wearing flexible and fiber-type fins. A swim-sensor speedometer was used for measuring v. Mean v during 2-s periods was computed in the beginning, middle, and at the end of the event. The slopes of v and FI were computed for the first and second halves of each trial as well as for the total time required. After it had been established that the data distributions were normal, repeated -measures ANOVAs were calculated for each dependent variable. Results confirmed that mannequin carries while barefoot at each point had significantly slower v than when using either type of fin. Declines in v across the 25 m tended to be greater when the lifeguards did not use fins, and the slopes tended to be smoother when they used flexible fins. Using fiber fins enabled participants to maintain the same v from the beginning to the end of each trial. No significant differences were found across conditions for v slopes and FI