Throwing speed in team handball: a systematic review

Its undeniable that throwing speed is one of the most important actions during handball match so it is really important for trainers to improve their knowledge about it. Thus, the aim of the article is threefold: a) to review the scientific studies about the factors that determine throwing speed in team handball to be able to establish the importance of each one b) to summarize the scientific knowledge about throwing speed in handball including aspects that need more studies c) To suggest practical recommendations for handball coaches. Our review revealed that; a) Players with greater elbow angles and higher elbow displacement angles at the release of the ball throw faster b) Hand size, biacromial breadth and finger length are the main anthropometric factors related to throwing speed c) handball players are able to reach a high throwing speeds without losing accuracy, so they should carry out their throwing speed training sessions always at high-speed d) There many different training proposals but with most of them throwing speed is improved. It is necessary to analyse the tactical-technical and conditional work related with throwing speed. e) There are very few studies made in real competition

The relationship between effectiveness and throwing velocity in a handball match

The relationship between throwing velocity and performance is an important question in handball, but has received little research attention in competitive scenarios. The aim of the present study was to analyse the relationship between throwing velocity and player effectiveness during a match. We analysed the throws of 69 players, recording the ball velocity of 1007 goal-scoring shots. Based on their effectiveness, the players were divided into three groups: Group 1 (G1): 40% to 49.9% effectiveness; Group 2 (G2), 50% to 59.9% effectiveness; and Group 3 (G3) ≥ 60% effectiveness. No significant differences were observed between G1 and G2, but G3 presented significantly lower velocities (21.14 ± 4.97 vs 23.40 ± 6.19, p<0.001; and vs 22.41 ± 7.19, p<0.05) than G1 and G2, respectively. We also found an inverse relationship between effectiveness and throwing velocity (r=-0.48; p< 0.001), whereby faster throws reduced players’ effectiveness in competitive scenarios. All previous studies on throwing in handball have been conducted in non-competitive contexts; however, contrary to the results obtained in training contexts, we found an inverse relationship between effectiveness and high throwing velocity in competitive scenarios

A training proposal to improve multidirectional running technique in male and female handball players: a pilot study

Multidirectional running has been described as an important factor in team sports performance. The aim of the present study was to determine changes in T-test, 505 time, 10 m sprint, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump right leg (CMJRL), and countermovement jump left leg (CMJLL) following exposure to 12 sessions over 4 weeks of a multidirectional running sprint training intervention in male and female handball players. A total of 31 handball players (15 male and 16 female) were recruited for this study and then randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). Male EG players showed improvements in 505 Preferred Side (PS) (p ≤ 0.05), 505 Non-Preferred Side (NPS) (p ≤ 0.05), and 10 m sprint (p ≤ 0.05), while female EG players presented statistically significant improvements between pre- and post-test for the T-test (p ≤ 0.05), 505 PS (p ≤ 0.05), 505 NPS (p ≤ 0.05), and 10 m sprint (p ≤ 0.05). No statistically significant pre- and post-test differences were observed in CG (all p ≥ 0.05) or between male and female players. We found an improvement in handball players’ agility and speed of movement following the intervention protocol, suggesting the need to introduce this program into our training sessions. It may also be necessary to select and develop more specific tests in order to evaluate multidirectional work in handball players

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

Predicting playing status in professional water polo players: analysis by gender

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was twofold: firstly, to identify the characteristics of water polo players that discriminate between women and men based on specific playing positions; and secondly to develop a predicting model to identify the characteristics that are best suited to a given playing position based on gender. METHODS: The study included 130 professional water polo players. Anthropometric characteristics and throwing velocity were analyzed in different situations: no defender or goalkeeper, goalkeeper only and the players made three rapid arm movements and then threw the ball at maximum speed without further feinting with goalkeeper. Measured variables were compared according to gender and player position using discriminant analysis. RESULTS: The predictive model accurately classifies 71.1% of the male players using three variables (arm span, muscle mass Lee and penalty without goalkeeper), and 64.7% of the female players using three variables (triceps skinfold, biceps skinfold and anteroposterior chest breadth). CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometric characteristics and throwing velocity play an important role in identifying the different specific positions in male and female water polo players. In female players, the variables that were determinant in the predictive model, were those associated with body composition.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. DEP2008-0611

The most common handball injuries: a systematic review

Handball is a team sport involving a great physical demand from its practitioners in which a high number of injuries occur, affecting individual and collective performance. Knowledge of the injuries is of great importance for their prevention. The objective of the present study was to identify, locate and compare the most frequent injuries and injury mechanisms in handball practice. It was carried out following the Preferred Informed Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The source of data collection was direct consultation of the PubMed and Medline databases. Several keywords were used for the documentary retrieval, and the quality of the studies that were selected was evaluated. Of the 707 studies retrieved, only 27 were considered appropriate for the review, and quality scores were obtained that ranged from 10 to 26 points, out of a maximum of 28. The most frequent injuries in handball players are located in the lower limbs (thigh, knee and ankle), and in the shoulder in the upper limbs. Regarding the playing position, the players who play over the 6-m line are the most affected by injuries, while the women players have a higher probability of injury. Most injuries occur during competition.Gobierno regional de Extremadura | Ref. GR 2114

Water polo throwing speed and body composition: an analysis by playing positions and opposition level

The aim of this study was to develop an anthropometric profile on highly skilled male water polo players by specific playing positions. Also, to identify significant relationships between these features an overhead throwing speed in highly skilled male Water Polo players by specific playing positions. Methods: A total of 94 male water polo players (24.5±5.3 yrs) who were playing in the Spanish King´s cup were studied. Subjects were grouped according to their specific playing positions: 15 goalkeepers, 45 offensive wings, 20 center backs and 14 center forwards. Anthropometric assessment was made following ISAK protocols. Hand grip and throwing speed in several situations were also assessed. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed among the four playing positions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the relationships of all anthropometric measures with throwing speed and hand grip. The total player’s somatotype was endomorphic-mesomorphic (2.9–5.8–2.3). Center forwards exhibit important anthropometric differences compared with the other specific playing positions in elite male water polo players, but no differences were found in throwing speed by specific playing positions in each throwing conditions. Moreover, a higher number of relationships between anthropometric and throwing speed were found in wings and also in center backs but no relationships were found in center forwards. The data reflects the importance of muscle mass and upper body in the throwing skill. Coaches can use this information in order to select players for the different specific position

Comparison of internal and external load metrics between won and lost game segments in elite beach handball

Purpose. The extraordinary evolution of beach handball requires the relationship between the specific internal and external load in this sport to be determined in order to continue its development. For this reason, the objective of this study was to compare won and lost game segments in beach handball matches to determine if there is a relationship between winning and losing a set and the external and internal loads experienced by an elite beach handball player. Methods. The data of 57 elite beach handball players were collected over ten matches, which were divided into time segments of 2 minutes each, making a total of 100 game segments. Data were collected using GPS and GNSS technology. Results. The results showed significant differences in the variables distance per minute (d = large in male and medium in female), velocity band 2 distance (d = very large in male and large in female) and band 3 distance (d = very large in male and medium in female), accelerations (number) (d = large in male and medium in female), player load per minute (d = medium in male and in female), velocity work/rest ratio (d = very large in male and in female) and total jumps (number) (d = medium in male and large in female). Conclusions. We conclude that the external and internal load variables that determine winning or losing a game segment in elite beach handball are distance per minute, velocity bands 2 (6–8.9 km/h) and 3 (9–11.9 km/h) distance, accelerations (number), player load per minute, velocity work/rest ratio and total jumps (number), both in the male and female categories. The highest values of these variables are observed in the won segments, except for the number of jumps in women

Cambios dependientes de la edad en el rendimiento físico en mujeres mayores no institucionalizadas

Aging process is accompanied by a gradual and sustained loss of physical abilities which leads to a progressive muscle weakness with important consequences for daily living especially in women. This study aimed was to analyze the differences by ages in dynamic balance and lower limb strength in community-dwelling women, and secondly to assess the differences in dynamic balance scores and lower limb strength between fallers and non-fallers in community-dwelling women. A total of 1025 community-dwelling women were recruited for the study. The sample were divided into six groups based on age: G1, from 60-65 yrs. (n=282); G2, from 66-70 yrs. (n=178); G3, from 71-75 yrs. (n=108); G4 from 76-80 yrs. (n=397); G5 from 81-85 yrs. (n=51) and G6, from 86-90 yrs. (n=9). The number of falls during the last year were also recorded. Significant differences were found in Sit to stand test (STS) and Timed up and go test (TUG) scores among age groups (p≤0.05). Additionally, poorer scores were found between fallers than non-fallers group (p≤0.05) both in STS and TUG test. Physical fitness performance decline as age group increase, and this decline is more striking after 70 years in community dwelling elderly women. In addition, faller elderly women show poorer scores in TUG and STS than non-fallers, reinforcing the idea that lower limb muscle strength and dynamic balance play an important role in falls in elderly women. Key words: Aging, Functional mobility, Falls, timed up and go, sit to stand  El proceso de envejecimiento va acompañado de una pérdida gradual y sostenida de las capacidades físicas que conduce a una debilidad muscular progresiva con importantes consecuencias para la vida diaria, especialmente en las mujeres. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las diferencias por edades del equilibrio dinámico y la fuerza de los miembros inferiores durante la vejez en mujeres mayores no institucionalizadas y, en segundo lugar, evaluar las diferencias en las puntuaciones de equilibrio dinámico y la fuerza de los miembros inferiores entre las personas que se caen y las que no se caen en las mujeres mayores no institucionalizadas. Un total de 1025 mujeres fueron reclutadas para el estudio. La muestra se dividió en seis grupos según la edad: grupo 1, de 60 a 65 años. (n=282); grupo 2, de 66-70 años. (n=178); grupo 3, de 71-75 años. (n=108); grupo 4, de 76-80 años. (n=397); grupo 5 de 81-85 años. (n=51) y grupo 6, de 86-90 años. (n=9). También se registró el número de caídas durante el último año. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de las pruebas Sit to Stand (STS) y Timed up and go test (TUG) entre los grupos de edad (p≤0.05). Además, se registraron puntuaciones más bajas entre el grupo que presentaba caídas comparado con el grupo que no que no presentaba caídas (p≤0.05) tanto en la prueba STS como en la TUG. Como conclusión podemos decir que, el rendimiento físico disminuye a medida que observamos grupos de edad más avanzada, y esta disminución es más llamativa después de los 70 años en las mujeres mayores no institucionalizadas. Además, las mujeres que se caen obtienen puntuaciones más bajas en TUG y STS que las que no se caen, lo que refuerza la idea de que la fuerza muscular de las extremidades inferiores y el equilibrio dinámico juegan un papel importante en las caídas en las mujeres adultas mayore

Antropometría, composición corporal y somatotipo de las patinadoras de elite en patinaje artístico sobre ruedas: análisis por disciplinas

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir y comparar las características antropométricas, composición corporal y somatotipo de patinadoras de patinaje artístico sobre ruedas por categorías (junior y senior) y por disciplinas (individual, parejas y danza). Fueron evaluadas 62 patinadoras profesionales (36 en la disciplina de libre, 13 en danza y 13 en parejas). El análisis estadístico utilizado fue una ANOVA para muestras independientes entre disciplinas, y una T de Student para las categorías (junior y senior). Entre la categoría junior y senior no se han encontrado diferencias estadísticas significativas. Las patinadoras junior presentaron un somatotipo endo-mesomorfo, y las patinadoras senior presentaron un somatotipo mesomorfo balanceado. El somatotipo de las patinadoras de parejas y danza fue el mesomórfico balanceado, y el de las patinadoras de libre fue endo-mesomórfico. Este estudio aporta datos biotipológicos de referencia para la población de elite de patinadoras sobre rueda