Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student of Exercise Physiology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

2 Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor of Exercise Physiology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

4 Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

5 M.Sc. of Exercise Physiology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

6 Ph.D. Student of Exercise Physiology, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the somatotype, body composition and physiological characteristics of Iranian national adolescent and junior elite male handball players according to their playing positions. Players were categorized as Wings (n=10), Backs (n=11) pivot (n=11), Centers (n=10) and Goalkeepers (n=8). Average age of the players was 17.0±2.3. The anthropometric features (using caliper and anthropometry Meter under ISAK standards) and physiological variables such as aerobic power (1 Mile Run), anaerobic power (Monark Wingate Testing Ergometer) and grip strength (Dynamometer) were evaluated. To compare these variables among the playing positions, one-way ANOAVA was used. The results showed that the wing players were the shortest with average height of 180.0±5.6 which was significantly different than other players (P≤0.05). Aerobic power was significantly different between wing players and pivot, pivot players and Centers, Centers and goalkeepers, goalkeepers and wing players (P≤0.05) (goalkeepers > pivots   wings > Centers(. It appears that Iranian national adolescent and junior elite male handball players are in appropriate physical and physiological conditions. Considering the especial activites, physical and physiological requirements of each position, this study is useful for emerging team handball nations in improving as a reference in the detection or identification of players in different positions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

1. Ghobadi H, Rajabi H, Farzad B, Bayati M, Jeffreys I. Anthropometry of world-class elite handball players according to the playing position: Reports from men's handball world championship 2013. J Hum Kinet. 2013;39:213-20.
2. Marques MC, González-Badillo JJ. In-season resistance training and detraining in professional team handball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2006;20(3): 563-71.
3. Ronglan LT, Raastad T, Børgesen A. Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery in elite female handball players. J Med Sci Sports. 2006;16(4):267-73.
4. Eston R, Reillym T. Kinanthropometry and exercise physiology laboratory manual. 3rd Ed. New York: Routledge; 2009.
5. Buchheit M, Laurse PB, Kuhnle J, Ruch D, Renau C, Ahmaid S. Game-based training in young elite handball players. Int J Sports Med. 2009;30(4):251-8.
6. Faghfouri Azar M, Bayat MR, Jamali Fashi R. Profile of physiological, anthropometric, biomotor and psychological characteristics in Futsal for men. Sport Physiology. 2016;7(28):15-30. (In Persian)
7. Zapartidis I, Kororos P, Christodoulidis T, Skouasf D, Bayios I. Profile of young handball players by playing position and determinants of ball throwing velocity. J Hum Kinet. 2011;27:17-30.
8. Ziv G, Lidor R. Physical characteristics, physiological attributes, and on-court performances of handball players. Eur J Sport Sci. 2009;9: 375-86.
9. Zapartidis I, Toganidis T, Vareltzis I, Christodoulidis T, Kororos P, Skoufas D. Profile of young female handball players by position. Serb J Sport Sci. 2009;3:53-60.
10. Ingebrigtsen J, Jeffreys I, Rodahl S. Physical characteristics and abilities of junior elite male and female handball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(2):302-9.
11. Ingebrigtsen J, Dillern T, Shalfawi SA. Aerobic capacities and anthropometric characteristics of elite female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(12):3352-7.
12. Agha-Alinejad H, Donyamali A, Bayati M, Mirakhori Z, Yousefi V, Farzad B. Anthropometric and somatotype characteristics of elite Iranian female dragon boat paddlers. 11th International Sport Sciences Congress; 10-12 November; Antalya, Turkey: Gazi University; 2010. 1009-11.
13. Bayati M, Agha-Alinejad H, Donyamali A, Farzad B, Yousefi V, Isanejad A. Somatotype and size of elite Iranian male sweep rowers. 16th International Sport Sciences Congress; 6-9 July; Liverpool, United Kingdom: European College of Sport Science; 2011. 595.
14. Arazi H, Mehrabani J, Javan J, Nobari J. Description of body composition and anthropometric profile of Iranian football referees in premier league and the relationship of these factors with their specific fitness tests. Sport Physiology. 2016;8(29):57-72. (In Persian)
15. Whittingham N, Ward R, Ross WD. A computer based physique assessment system. Aust J Sci Med Sport. 1992;24(2):39-43.
16. Agha-Alinejad H, Rajabi H, Siahkohian M. Applied exercise physiology. 2nd ed. Tehran: Sport Sciences Research Institute; 2015. 351-88. (In Persian)
17. Gorostiaga EM, Granados C, Ibañez J, González-Badillo JJ, Izquierdo M. Effects of an entire season on physical fitness changes in elite male handball players. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38(2):357-66.
18. Heyward VH. Advanced fitness assessment and exercise prescription. 6th Ed. New York: Human Kinetics Publication; 2010.
19. Khalili E, Agha-Alinejad H, Bayati M, Sheikhlouvand M, Isanejad A, Farzad B. Peak power and anaerobic capacity of the upper body in elite Iranian male canoe polo players. 16th International Sport Sciences Congress; 6-9 July; Liverpool, United Kingdom: European College of Sport Science; 2011; 425.
20. Srhoj V, Marinović M, Rogulj N. Position specific morphological characteristics of top-level male handball players. Coll Antropol. 2002;26(1):219-27.
21. Hnjec K, Vuleta D, Milanović D, Gruić I. Performance indicators of teams at the 2003 world handball championship for women in Croatia. Kinesiol. 2003;40:69-79.
22. Zapartidis I, Skoufas D, Vareltzis I, Christodoulidis T, Toganidis T, Kororos P. Factors influencing ball throwing velocity in young female handball players. Open Sports Med J. 2009;3:39-43.
23. Van den Tillaar R, Ettema G. Effect of body size and gender in over-arm throwing performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;91(4):413-8.
24. Canda A, Teja J, Arnaudas C, Gutierrez F, Ureña R. Somatotipo de la selección española de balonmano junior. Arch Med Dep. 1991;27:27-31.
25. Sibila M, Pori P. Position-related differences in selected morphological body characteristics of top-level handball players. Coll Antropol. 2009;33(4): 1079-86.
26. Sporis G, Vuleta D, Vuleta DJr, Milanović D. Players fitness profiling in handball physical and physiological characteristics of elite. Coll Antropol. 2010;34(3):1009-14.
27. Boraczyñski T, Urnia J. The influence of physical training on anaerobic fitness of elite handball players. J Med Sportpress. 2008;14(2):69-73.
28. Visnapuu M, Jürimäe T. Handgrip strength and hand dimensions in young handball and basketball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2007;21(3):923-9.