Anthropometry, Body Composition and Somatotype Characteristics of World Class Female Roller Skaters by Discipline

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 ruedas.The aim of the study was to describe and compare anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of female roller skaters by levels (Junior and Senior) and by disciplines (freestyle, pairs and dance). Sixty-two world class female roller skaters were assessed (36 freestyle roller skaters, 13 dance roller skaters and 13 pair roller skaters). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed in the anthropometric profile among skating discipline and a student t test in order to assess differences between junior and senior levels. There are no significant differences between junior and senior roller skaters. Junior female roller skaters show an endo-mesomorphic somatotype and senior female roller skaters show a balanced mesomorphic somatotype. Roller dance skaters and roller pair skaters show a balanced mesomorphic somatotype and roller freestyle skaters show an endo-mesomorphic somatotype. This paper, reports specific reference data for world class female roller skaters

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

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 positions

Performance Factors in Women's Team Handball: Physical and Physiological Aspects—A Review

Team handball is an Olympic sport played professionally in many European countries. Nevertheless, a scientific knowledge regarding women's elite team handball demands is limited. Thus, the purpose of this article was to review a series of studies (n = 33) on physical characteristics, physiological attributes, physical attributes, throwing velocity, and on-court performances of women's team handball players. Such empirical and practical information is essential to design and implement successful short-term and long-term training programs for women's team handball players. Our review revealed that (a) players that have a higher skill level are taller and have a higher fat-free mass; (b) players who are more aerobically resistant are at an advantage in international level women team handball; (c) strength and power exercises should be emphasized in conditioning programs, because they are associated with both sprint performance and throwing velocity; (d) speed drills should also be implemented in conditioning programs but after a decrease in physical training volume; (e) a time-motion analysis is an effective method of quantifying the demands of team handball and provides a conceptual framework for the specific physical preparation of players. According to our results, there are only few studies on on-court performance and time-motion analysis for women's team handball players, especially concerning acceleration profiles. More studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of different training programs of women's team handball players' physiological and physical attributes

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

On-court throwing activity of male handball players during the European Championship 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the on-court throwing activity in regards to playing positions, throwing zones on the court and throwing velocity category during the male European Championship 2020. A local positioning system with microsensors placed both in the shirts of the players and inside the ball itself was used. In total, 6568 throws were retrieved for analysis from the entire tournament. Results showed that first-line players (wings and line players) used their natural zone more to throw (65% left wing, 60% right wing, and 97% line player), showing higher effectiveness from there (p ~100 km/h) from these furthest areas. Throwing velocity and effectiveness by throwing zones and positions was not significantly modified over the three rounds of the tournament (p > 0.05), indicating no effect of possible fatigue. A higher team ranking was associated with higher throwing efficiency but only for wing players. The results of this research could help handball coaches to better adjust training programs for the improvement of throwing velocity and its transfer to the competition.This research was partially funded by Consejo Superior de Deportes, under grant number 24/UPB/19

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

22 p.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 anthropomctric 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.MINEC

¡Aplícate! Nuevas tecnologías y apps deportivas en la enseñanza de español a través del deporte

Cada vez son más los practicantes de ejercicio físico que emplean diferentes aplicaciones tecnológicas relacionadas con el mundo del deporte en función de sus aficiones. Prueba de ello son aplicaciones como “runtastic” o “strava”, las cuales se han convertido en grandes redes sociales del mundo del deporte donde la gente comparte día a día sus entrenamientos. A través de ellas se han conseguido organizar a grupos de personas de la misma ciudad con unos mismos intereses y aficiones, como por ejemplo correr, lo cual podría ser interesante para los alumnos extranjeros que acuden a universidades españolas para conocer personas nativas con sus mismos intereses y de esta manera introducirse con más facilidad en nuestra cultura con los beneficios que ello conlleva. Uno de estos beneficios sería la inmersión en la lengua castellana y el aprendizaje del idioma con mayor facilidad. Además de éstas, existen numerosas aplicaciones relacionadas con el mundo del deporte, las cuales podrían favorecer el aprendizaje de la lengua castellana al presentarse de una forma más gráfica y clara que otro tipo de aplicaciones más complejas. El objetivo de esta comunicación es presentar las aplicaciones del mundo del deporte, pero desde una perspectiva totalmente diferente, apostando por ellas como una herramienta para el aprendizaje y desarrollo de una lengua

Effect of Core Training on Male Handball Players’ Throwing Velocity

In handball, throwing velocity is considered to be one of the essential factors in achieving the ultimate aim of scoring a goal. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of a core training program on throwing velocity in 30 handball players (age 18.7 ± 3.4 years, body height 179.3 ± 7.0 cm, body mass 78.9 ± 7.7 kg), 16 of whom were in the junior category and 14 of whom were in the senior category. The 30 players were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 15) and the experimental group (n = 15). For a period of ten weeks, both groups attended their regular handball training sessions (four per week), but in addition, the experimental group participated in a program specifically aimed at progressively strengthening the lumbo-pelvic region and consisting of seven exercises performed after the general warm-up in each regular session. Pre- and post-tests were carried out to analyze each player’s throwing velocity from different throwing positions and thus assess the effects of this specific training program. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in throwing velocity were observed between the experimental group, which presented a percentage improvement of 4.5%, and the control group, which did not show any improvement. The results seem to indicate that an increase in the strength and stability of the lumbo-pelvic region can contribute to an improvement in the kinetic chain of the specific movement of throwing in handball, thus, increasing throwing velocity

Throwing performance by playing positions of male handball players during the European Championship 2020

This research was partially funded by Consejo Superior de Deportes, grant number 24/UPB/19The aim of this study was to analyze the throwing velocity and effectiveness of elite male handball players during the European Championship 2020. A local positioning system was used for the first time in a European Championship to collect 6568 throw events from 337 players of 24 national teams during 65 matches. ANOVA (F = 80.8, p 22 m/s) showed similar effectiveness (similar to 60%), which were higher than the preceding slower category of 17-22 m/s (39.7%) (F = 175.1, p < 0.01, eta(2) = 0.074). Regarding court zones, throws from first-line zones (48%-60%), were more effective than from second line (38%-43%) (F = 13.1, p < 0.01, eta(2) = 0.016). With respect to the goal hit zone, effectiveness was higher in side (72%-77%) than in central zones (58%-64%) (F = 523.2, p < 0.01, eta(2) = 0.418). Coaches should improve the throwing velocity of players but also train at submaximal velocities (effective velocity) to save energy and reduce the potential risk of injury. Finally, training should be specialized according to the performance shown by players from different throwing zones, rather than from playing positions.Consejo Superior de Deportes 24/UPB/1