Applied Sciences

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13 pages, 1304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Specific Game-Based and General Performance in Young Adult Elite Male Team Handball Players

by Herbert Wagner and Matthias Hinz

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 2756; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052756 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1739

Physical performance is an essential factor for becoming a top elite team handball player; however, the relationship between specific and general physical performance is not well known. Consequently, the aim of the study was (1) to analyze the relationship between specific game-based and [...] Read more.

Physical performance is an essential factor for becoming a top elite team handball player; however, the relationship between specific and general physical performance is not well known. Consequently, the aim of the study was (1) to analyze the relationship between specific game-based and general physical performance in young elite male team handball players, and (2) to reduce the number of tests for a more practical implementation of physical performance diagnostics in team handball. Twenty young adult elite male team handball field players (18.6 ± 2.1 years) performed the team handball game-based performance test (GBPT), including specific movements in offense and defense such as catching, passing and throwing a ball, sprinting, stops, changes in direction, jumping, checking and screening, as well as general tests, including a 20 m sprinting test, a repeated sprint ability test (RSA), a modified t-test, countermovement (CMJ), squat (SJ) and drop jump test (DJ), a standing long jump test, a single-leg lateral three jumps test, a standing throw test, and the determination of the one repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press, bench pull, front squat, and deadlift. Significant correlations were mostly found between different sprinting and jumping tests as well as between different strength tests. The principal component factor analysis revealed four components (power and speed, strength, jump shot performance, and endurance) including 21 variables of high loads (>0.60 or <−0.60). Due to the correlations between the different tests, we suggest a more practicable testing procedure including the 20 m sprinting test, CMJ test, 1RM in the bench press and front squat, as well as the GBPT for elite teams, or the t-test and the YoYo intermittent recovery test for youth and non-elite teams. Despite some correlations between specific and general tests, we suggest using the GBPT to measure specific performance in team handball. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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14 pages, 1111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The PlayerScore: A Systematic Game Observation Tool to Determine Individual Player Performance in Team Handball Competition

by Herbert Wagner, Matthias Hinz, Kevin Melcher, Vanja Radic and Jörn Uhrmeister

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2327; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042327 - 11 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2002

Abstract

In team handball, the individual match performance of each player is essential for winning games; however, a validated match analysis system is still lacking. Consequently, the aim of the study was to justify (1) the different relevant variables and their scoring within the [...] Read more.

In team handball, the individual match performance of each player is essential for winning games; however, a validated match analysis system is still lacking. Consequently, the aim of the study was to justify (1) the different relevant variables and their scoring within the individual match analysis (PlayerScore), (2) to determine the intra-rater reliability and validity of the PlayerScore, and (3) to determine the influence of the rater in relation to their degree of expertise level. Six games (three games each of Spain and Brazil, one game twice) of the 2021 World Championship were analyzed by six different raters. The PlayerScore was calculated for each field player of Spain and Brazil in all seven analyzed games. We found a high intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.97) for the two rated games (Spain against Germany), a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) between the summarized team PlayerScore of Spain and Brazil, as well as significant differences (p < 0.001) for the factor “game” and “rater” (p < 0.05), but no significant interaction for “game × rater” (p = 0.90) in the two-way repeated measures ANOVA. We conclude that the PlayerScore is a reliable and valid rating tool to determine the individual players’ performance in team handball; however, the raters should have sufficient experience in the different techniques and tactics in team handball. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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13 pages, 1578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relation of Offensive Performance during Exclusions and Final Ranking in Female Handball

by Alejandro Trejo-Silva, Sebastian Feu, Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, Marta Camacho-Cardenosa and Javier Brazo-Sayavera

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 10774; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122110774 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1273

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine team offensive performance indicators during exclusions related to the final ranking obtained in the tournament. Twenty-nine matches from the 2017 Pan-American Female Championship played by 10 national teams were analyzed using observational methodology. Cramer’s V [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to determine team offensive performance indicators during exclusions related to the final ranking obtained in the tournament. Twenty-nine matches from the 2017 Pan-American Female Championship played by 10 national teams were analyzed using observational methodology. Cramer’s V and Fisher’s exact test were applied to identify associations between the variables. The Chaid algorithm was used to identify performance variables during inequality situations associated with the final ranking. Results showed that teams ranked 1st to 3rd presented a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001; ASR 5.2) of being in superiority, scoring on 56.8% of their finalizations, while teams ranked 7th to 10 th showed a tendency of ending their attacks in turnovers under inequality situations (p < 0.00; ASR 3.1). Playing with an empty net during inferiority situations was a predictor of winners belonging to the medalist teams in 76.2% of the analyzed situations. It can be concluded that during numerical superiority, the best-ranked teams better handled their possessions. The substitution of the goalkeeper for a court player during inferiority was a predictor of belonging to the medalist group. Playing with the goalkeeper in goal (playing 5 against 6) when the match status was balanced or unbalanced, was a predictor of losing teams that did not end up in the medalist groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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11 pages, 3493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomechanical Assessment of Throwing Gesture and Performance in Female Water-Polo Players

by Elisa Panero, Valentina Agostini and Laura Gastaldi

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7856; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157856 - 4 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2427

Abstract

Water-polo is an aquatic sport based on the high level of coordination of several body movements, frequent changes in positions, speeds, and directions. Considering technical and tactical aspects, the power, the force, and the shot accuracy have been identified as important skills and [...] Read more.

Water-polo is an aquatic sport based on the high level of coordination of several body movements, frequent changes in positions, speeds, and directions. Considering technical and tactical aspects, the power, the force, and the shot accuracy have been identified as important skills and specific training programs can be scheduled with the attempt to improve them. Moreover, the biomechanical investigation of kinematic parameters during the shot can contribute to the evaluation of player’s throwing performance and to the description of gesture. The principal aim of the current study is the comparative analysis of throwing kinematics in three different types of shots. Eleven female players were evaluated before and after 45 days of a specific water-polo training. In the experimental tests, three types of shots were performed, shoulder and elbow angles and throwing velocity were analyzed. In addition, power and precision parameters were estimated to describe players’ throwing performance. During the passing-feint shot, a significant lower maximum velocity (before: 14.7 m/s; after: 13.9 m/s; p-value = 0.005) and a higher shoulder angle (before: 56.7°; after: 63.9°; p-value = 0.003) were observed. During the passing-spontaneous shot, players’ precision showed a tendency to increase after the training (score before: 9.0; score after: 11.0 score; p-value = 0.05). This study proved the feasibility of an objective biomechanical assessment of the throwing kinematics and throwing performance of water-polo players, in ecological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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16 pages, 338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Situational and Individual Factors on Training Load and Game Performance in Liga Femenina 2 Basketball Female Players

by María Isabel Piñar, David García, David Mancha-Triguero and Sergio José Ibáñez

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7752; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157752 - 1 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1461

Abstract

There is research that has shown how individual characteristics and performance indicators influence the load in basketball; however, studies on the influence of situational variables on performance are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of certain situational and [...] Read more.

There is research that has shown how individual characteristics and performance indicators influence the load in basketball; however, studies on the influence of situational variables on performance are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of certain situational and individual variables on the training load (weekly load, game load and pre-game recovery) and the individual performance (statistical game evaluation) of female basketball players of Liga Femenina 2 during competition. The 28 games played by the 13 players of a group B team of the Liga Femenina 2 of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) during the 2020/2021 season were analyzed. Data on rate of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived performance and recovery were collected through the Quanter mobile application as well as performance statistics from the FEB website. Five mixed linear analyses for repeated measures were performed to evaluate the effect of each situational and individual variable on each dependent variable (weekly load, game load, game RPE, pre-game recovery, and game statistical assessment). The results show how the weekly load increases after playing against a low-level opponent (p < 0.001). In games, the players who play the most minutes and accumulate the most load are also the most valued (p < 0.001). The pre-game recovery worsens as the season progresses (p < 0.001). After playing against a high-level opponent, the pre-game recovery values for the next game are lower (p = 0.031). The results obtained indicate that the situational and individual variables should be taken into account to monitor the workload. These results help coaches and physical trainers to better plan training weeks, taking into account the situational variables studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

10 pages, 805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of the Indirect Calorimetry and the Metabolic Power Method to Calculate Energy Expenditure in Team Handball

by Patrick Fuchs, Live S. Luteberget, Philip X. Fuchs and Herbert Wagner

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12010163 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3292

Abstract

Monitoring physical activity, e.g., training load and energy expenditure (EE), is important to optimize the training process in various sports. Especially in team handball, where there is little information about EE in training and competition. The objective of the study was to compare [...] Read more.

Monitoring physical activity, e.g., training load and energy expenditure (EE), is important to optimize the training process in various sports. Especially in team handball, where there is little information about EE in training and competition. The objective of the study was to compare EE in team handball derived from a respiratory gas exchange analysis (spiroergometry) and a local position measurement (LPM) system. Eleven participants completed a validated, team handball game-based performance test and wore a portable spiroergometry system (K5 Cosmed) and an LPM transponder (Catapult ClearSky T6). EE was determined via indirect calorimetry for spiroergometry data and via the metabolic power model for EE for LPM data. EE estimated via the metabolic power model was −66 to −63 ± 12% lower than via indirect calorimetry (p < 0.001, _pη² = 0.97). No correlation was found for the overall test (r = 0.32, p = 0.34), nor for every single heat (r ≤ 0.44, 0.18 ≤ p ≤ 0.99). Therefore, regression analyses predicting spiroergometry data based on LPM data were not feasible. In line with previous studies, the metabolic power model for EE in team handball (including short-distance movements, great accelerations, and non-locomotive actions) is not suitable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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12 pages, 935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acute Effects of Verbal Encouragement and Listening to Preferred Music on Maximal Repeated Change-of-Direction Performance in Adolescent Elite Basketball Players—Preliminary Report

by Raouf Hammami, Ammar Nebigh, Mohamed Amine Selmi, Haithem Rebai, Sime Versic, Patrik Drid, Tatjana Jezdimirovic and Damir Sekulic

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8625; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188625 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1946

Abstract

Verbal encouragement (VE) and listening to preferred music (PM) are considered effective ergogenic methods in strength and conditioning, but studies examining the effectiveness of these two methods simultaneously are lacking. This study analyzed the influence of PM and VE on repeated change-of-direction performance [...] Read more.

Verbal encouragement (VE) and listening to preferred music (PM) are considered effective ergogenic methods in strength and conditioning, but studies examining the effectiveness of these two methods simultaneously are lacking. This study analyzed the influence of PM and VE on repeated change-of-direction performance (R-CoD) in elite young basketball players. On alternate days, 18 elite young basketball players (17.2 ± 0.61 years; 189.8 ± 7 cm; 71.6 ± 6.7 kg; body fat: 12.3 ± 2.5%) were assessed on R-CoD under three randomized conditions: team-selected PM, VE, and control condition. Total time (TT), peak time (PT), and fatigue index were registered and compared across conditions. Significant differences across conditions were evidenced for TT and PT (F-test = 6.96 and 4.15, p < 0.05; large effect size), with better results in VE and PM than in the control condition and no significant differences between VE and PM. No correlations were evidenced between changes that occurred as a result of VE and those which occurred as a result of PM, indicating individual responsiveness of the players to VE and PM. The results evidenced positive acute effects of VE and PM on R-CoD performance, indicating the usefulness of these training methods in the conditioning of youth basketball players. Future studies should evaluate the applicability of VE and PM in the training of other conditioning capacities and the individual responsiveness of players toward VE and PM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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10 pages, 772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Specific Absolute Velocity Thresholds during Male Basketball Games Using Local Positional System; Differences between Age Categories

by Carlos Sosa, Alberto Lorenzo, Juan Trapero, Carlos Ribas, Enrique Alonso and Sergio L. Jimenez

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(10), 4390; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11104390 - 12 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2734

Abstract

The aim of this study was (I) to establish absolute specific velocity thresholds during basketball games using local positional system (LPS) and (II) to compare the speed profiles between various levels of competitions. The variables recorded were total distance (TD); meters per minute [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was (I) to establish absolute specific velocity thresholds during basketball games using local positional system (LPS) and (II) to compare the speed profiles between various levels of competitions. The variables recorded were total distance (TD); meters per minute (m·min); real time (min); maximum speed (Km h⁻¹), distance (m), percentage distance, and percentage duration invested in four speed zones (standing–walking; jogging; running; and high-speed running). Mean and standard deviation (±SD) were calculated, and a separate one-way analysis of variance was undertaken to identify differences between competitions. TD (3188.84 ± 808.37 m) is covered by standing–walking (43.51%), jogging (36.58%), running (14.68%), and sprinting (5.23%) activities. Overall, 75.22% of the time is invested standing–walking, jogging (18.43%), running (4.77%), and sprinting (1.89%). M·min (large effect size), % duration zone 2 (moderate effect size); distance zone 4 (large effect size), and % distance zone 4 (very large effect size) are significantly higher during junior than senior. However, % distance zone 1 (large effect size) and % duration zone 1 (large effect size) were largely higher during senior competition. The findings of this study reveal that most of the distance and play time is spent during walking and standing activities. In addition, the proportion of time spent at elevated intensities is higher during junior than in senior competition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement and Performance Analysis in Elite Team Sports)

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