Influence of morphological characteristics on physical and physiological performances of Tunisian elite male handball players

The purpose of this study was to describe the body structure and morphological characteristics of Tunisian elite handball players, and to determine the effect of these variables on functional and physical performance levels. A sample of 42 male handball players [mean age 21, 98 +/- 3, 24 years training duration 12 years] of international level was submitted to a test battery comprising morphological, physical and physiological assessments. Tests were yo-yo intermittent recovery test, squat jump test, countermovement jump test, vertical-jump test, and Repeated sprint Ability. Measures for assessment of anthropometric characteristics were age, size, weight, body mass index, Body fat, Fatty mass, and thin mass. Weight was negatively correlated to the squat jump, and the countermovement jump performance. Age, weight, and body composition measures [fat and thin body mass] were additionally negatively related to the maximal oxygen uptake, and to the maximal velocity obtained in the Yo-Yo recovery test. No relationship was found between seize, body mass index, body fat and the physical abilities considered. Concerning the effects of physical characteristics on the functional performances, we can note a positive relationship between squat lump, countermovement jump, and the yo-yo recovery test performance. No relationship was found between vertical jump, repeated sprint ability, and the physiological performances. Study results point to the existence of strong correlation between morphological and physical characteristic with functional characteristic. In handball, it is possible to have a reliable estimate of anthropometric measurements, physic and physiological performances

offensive efficiency of the high-level handball players of the front and the rear lines

The aim of this study was to investigat the offensive efficiency of the professional handball players forming the front and rear lines. Our investigation was carried out on four matches [final, semi-finals and classifying match] at the 19th male Handball World Championship "Tunisia 2005". Finalist teams were Tunisia, France, Croatia, and Spain. Matches were recorded using 5 digital camcorders [SONY, DCL, and TRY 130E]. Number of passes and the length of the attacks were determined by software [STUDIO 9]. Speed of the ball at the different shootings was calculated by REG A VI software, version 2.57, 2004. Work was dissociated according to 2 variables namely axes and lines. Players of lateral axes [A4] and front basis [LI] were shorter and thinner than those of the central axis [A3] and rear basis [L2]. No differences were observed between lines and axes in age. The analysis of the total shootings to the goal shows that the players of lines and axes present very close values in each team, excepting the Croatian L2 compared to the Tunisian L2. Players of the rear Croatian basis present also a number of attacks concluded by a non-successfully cadred shooting greater than all other groups. In the Spanish group, a significant difference among number of passes concluded by a non-successfully cadred shooting between lines, and front basis vs central axis was noted. No significant difference was found between lines and axes in the Croatian team. Regarding the velocity of shooting, excepting the Croatian team, no differences were found between lines and axes of the other teams. No differences were also noted in the attack duration between lines and axes in Croatian and Tunisian teams. In the Spanish team, duration of attacks concluded by a cadred shooting was most important when finished by an L2 or an A3 player. The present results demonstrate that finalist teams were found to be clearly characterized by L2 and A3 players taller and weightier than those of LI and A4. Organized attack was generally concluded by shooting done by an L2 or an A4 player and the shooting velocity did not significantly determine the offensive efficiency