Analysis of sex-related differences in external load demands on beach handball

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the sex-related differences in beach handball workload. A total sample of 105 handballers (male, n=50; female, n=55) belonging to six U’16 teams, seven U’18 teams and eight senior teams were monitored in the final round of 2018-2019 beach handball tournament celebrated during 3-days congested-fixture design. The external load variables Steps, Jumps, Player Load, Total Impacts (>2G) and Total Impacts per Intensities (very low, 2-4G; low, 4-6G; moderate, 6-8G; high, 8-10G; very high, >10G) through WIMUTM inertial devices. Statistical analysis was composed by t-test and Cohen’s d for anthropometrical variables and by MANOVA and omega partial square for sex and categories related differences. Greater values in male handballers were found in height, weight and age in each categories (U’16: p<0.05; d=0.50-2.26; U’18: p<0.05; d=0.95-2.21; senior: p<0.05; d=1.01-1.99), except in age in U’18 (p=0.97; d=0.01). Respect to external workload, differences were found related to category (p<0.01; ωp²= 0.02-0.05, small) and sex (p<0.01; ωp²= 0.04-0.21, small to high), except in Steps (p=0.47; ωp²= 0.00), finding the greatest sex-related differences in U’16 category. From the differences found in anthropometrical characteristics and external workload, their evaluation during competition allows designing specific training sessions with the purpose of sports performance enhancement in beach handball.

Physical Demands during Official Competitions in Elite Handball: A Systematic Review

“…In recent years, some researchers used GPS or LPS devices to examine the physical demands of handball [ 7 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. This technology has been used to quantify training sessions [ 7 , 26 ], simulated or friendly matches [ 27 , 28 , 29 ], amateur competitions [ 30 ] and beach handball [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. In the case of training sessions, researchers have tried to determine the physical demands of different small-sided games (3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6) [ 7 , 25 ].…”

Internal and External Load Profile during Beach Invasion Sports Match-Play by Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems: A Systematic Review

“…From the remaining 32 studies, 12 did not fulfill the inclusion criteria after the revision of the full text due to: (a) specific evaluation tests ( n = 2), (b) match or training demands in non-invasion beach sports ( n = 11), (c) match or training demands in conventional sports (n= 2), (d) the notational analysis of matches ( n = 1), and (e) referees ( n = 1). Finally, 15 studies that evaluate the internal and external workload in beach invasion sports were included in this systematic review: (a) beach handball ( n = 10) [ 15 , 19 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] and (b) beach soccer ( n = 4) [ 14 , 21 , 36 , 37 ]. None of the studies assessed beach rugby.…”

Musculoskeletal symptoms and training characteristics differ between sex and playing positions: A cross-sectional study among high-performance Brazilian beach handball players

“…27,28 Thus, since the practice of BH occurs, primarily, with a high number of throws, prophylaxis for the elbow region is recommended, especially in pre-competitive and competitive periods. Furthermore, due to the greater volume of training for men compared to women, 19 attention should be paid to this group in the periods close to competitions, since different stressors have been identified as being determining factors in a range of sports pathologies (e.g. inadequate recovery, emotional exhaustion, sport-related anxiety).…”

“…16 An important previous finding of the physical demands in BH is that there is a similar self-organization of male and female matches in high-level teams, 17 but the high-intensity actions and load demand seem to be particularly performed by men due to differences in tactical and technical aspects. [18][19][20] In this direction, BH female athletes seem to have a lower risk of injury or musculoskeletal symptoms related to training characteristics (especially volume of training), however, there is a paucity of empirical research focusing on this relationship. 9,12,13 Understanding the injury patterns in BH is vitally important to set preventive measures and, hence, avoid musculoskeletal injury-related absenteeism among athletes.…”