The Team Handball Game-Based Performance Test Is Better than the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test to Measure Match-Related Activities in Female Adult Top-Elite Field Team Handball Players

Abstract

In team handball, suitable tests determining the match-related physical performance are essential for the planning of optimal physical training regimens. Thus, the aims of the present study were (a) to determine the relationships between the physical and physiological test results from a team handball game-based performance test (GBPT), the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1 test) and a separate linear 30-m single sprint performance test (SSPT) in female adult top-elite field team handball players, in order to establish the significance (validity) of tests for measuring relevant elements for team handball match-play; and (b) to compare and evaluate the results from the aforementioned tests for the same players in relation to the different playing positions. Twenty-three female adult top-elite field team handball players from the Danish Premier Female Team Handball League performed the GBPT, the Yo-Yo IR1 test and the 30-m SSPT test on separate days. As main findings, significant correlations between the GBPT and the Yo-Yo IR1 test in about 1/3 of the variables were found, indicating that the Yo-Yo IR1 test is reflecting most of the locomotive match activities in female adult top-elite team handball. However, the Yo-Yo IR1 test results were not correlated to the GBPT in any of the match-related activities in the team handball GBPT that included technical playing actions such as tackles, passes, jumping and shooting during specialized movements in offence and defence. Overall, the results revealed that the GBPT is better than the Yo-Yo IR1 test to evaluate female adult top-elite field team handball players’ ability to perform physical match-related activities including both locomotive and technical playing actions executed as during competitive match-play. Similar to the Yo-Yo IR1 test, the 30-m SSPT was not correlated to any of the team handball GBPT activities, which included technical playing actions. These data suggest that the SSPT only to a certain extent can measure the individual sprint capacity of elite team handball players. In addition, unexpectedly no significant differences between the various playing positions were found neither for the GBPT, the SSPT nor the Yo-Yo IR1 test. However, several effects sizes indicated that the lack of positional differences primarily was due to the relatively small sample size in each playing position and the composition of the specific group of players. In conclusion, this study clearly indicated that team handball specific physical performance, as measured by the GBPT, and general physical performance, as measured by the Yo-Yo IR1 test and the 30-m SSPT, are different components. This must be taken in consideration when using physical test results for the planning of optimal physical training regimens in elite team handball.

The influence of 8 weeks of endurance training on blood lactate threshold for male handball players

“…Players in handball matches should display the best performance in different fatigue conditions. It is known that high fatigue may inhibit sports performance, such as rapid movements, endurance, as well as strength (Michalsik et al, 2021). Consequently, handball studies should apply various test protocols that assess physical abilities under fatigue conditions.…”

Small-Sided Games versus Continuous Endurance Training in Female Handball Players

“…According to Michalsik et al (2021b) , the Yo-Yo IR1 test examines intermittent endurance running capacity and is relevant due to its team sport-specific character. Converted to team handball, it is all about measuring the ability of players to maintain a high playing pace throughout the entire game, in which players, e.g., repeatedly must perform fast breaks and fast retreats ( Michalsik et al, 2021b ). The test was performed as in the study by Michalsik et al (2021b) .…”

“…Converted to team handball, it is all about measuring the ability of players to maintain a high playing pace throughout the entire game, in which players, e.g., repeatedly must perform fast breaks and fast retreats ( Michalsik et al, 2021b ). The test was performed as in the study by Michalsik et al (2021b) .…”

Correlations between core muscle strength endurance and upper-extremity performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players

“…A metronome (60 bpm – 1-sec lifting, 1-sec lowering the trunk) was used as an auditive reference for the subjects to continuously lift and lower the trunk. As soon as the subjects failed to touch the upper or lower horizontal rod ( 1 ) for two consecutive times or ( 2 ) a total number of three times, the test was stopped. The best trial (maximum number of seconds) was noted down and used for further analysis.…”

“…Handball is a popular sport worldwide which places complex demands on the players in terms of technical, tactical, and physical characteristics (1). Substantial differences in terms of anthropometric features as well athletic performance parameters such as throwing and sprinting are reported between playing positions and competitive levels of handball players (2)(3)(4).…”