Next Article in Journal
Are Caffeine’s Effects on Resistance Exercise and Jumping Performance Moderated by Training Status?
Next Article in Special Issue
A Meta-Epidemiological Study of Positive Results in Clinical Nutrition Research: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Statistically Significant Findings
Previous Article in Journal
Addiction-like Eating in Chinese Adults: An Assessment Tool and Its Associations with Modern Eating-Related Habits
Previous Article in Special Issue
The Relative Merits of Observational and Experimental Research: Four Key Principles for Optimising Observational Research Designs
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Nutrients
Volume 14
Issue 22
10.3390/nu14224839
nutrients-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Professional Male Beach Handball Players Performance Profile

by
Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez
1,2,*,
Javier Sánchez-Sánchez
3,
María Martínez-Olcina
1,
Manuel Vicente-Martínez
4,
Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda
5,
Guillermo Cortés-Roco
6,
Juan Antonio Vázquez-Diz
7 and
Juan Antonio Sánchez-Sáez
8,*
1
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
2
Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
3
School of Sport and Science, European University of Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
4
Faculty of Health Science, Miguel de Cervantes European University, 47012 Valladolid, Spain
5
Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Vina del Mar 2520000, Chile
6
Escuela de Educación, Pedagogía en Educación Física, Entrenador Deportivo, Universidad Viña del Mar, Vina del Mar 2520000, Chile
7
Departamento Educación Física y Deporte, Universidad de Sevilla (E. U. Osuna), 41640 Osuna, Spain
8
Grupo de Investigación GDOT-Gestión Deportiva, Ocio y Tecnología, Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2022, 14(22), 4839; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224839
Submission received: 28 October 2022 / Revised: 9 November 2022 / Accepted: 11 November 2022 / Published: 15 November 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Introduction to Causal Inference Methods in Nutritional Research)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Beach handball is a sport that has seen an increase in the number of players in the last decade. The aim of the study was to evaluate the basic measures of body composition, maturation, performance outcomes and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of professional beach handball players, as a function of category (junior vs. senior) and playing positions. Thirty-six professional beach handball players participated in the study: 18 seniors (age: 25.0 ± 5.19) and 18 juniors (age: 16.7 ± 0.46); Each player’s body composition and different sports performance variables were analysed using the CMJ test, the Abalakov test, the Yo-Yo Test IR1 and the handgrip test. The Mediterranean diet Adherence was analysed using the KIDMED questionnaire. Significant differences are observed for all performance variables, with the values of senior players being higher in all cases (p < 0.005). Moreover, the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is moderate. Positive correlations were observed between the CMJ and weight (p = 0.012) and the CMJ and the BMI (p = 0.003). The same was observed for the Abalakov test, with p = 0.004 for weight and p = 0.001 for the BMI. Regarding the dynamometry, it positively correlates with the height (p = 0.002), the sitting height (p = 0.008), wingspan (p < 0.001) and weight (p = 0.011). The opposite occurred with the Yo-Yo Test and the KIDMED variables. Conclusions: One aspect to improve, as a key performance factor, would be the adherence to the Mediterranean diet for both categories. Players with a better adherence, achieved better results in the performance tests.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Beach handball (BH) is a discipline that is derived from indoor handball, which originated in Italy in the early 1990s [1]. However, it is only in the last few years that this sport has really become the focus of attention of researchers. Studies on the characteristics of this sport, such as tactical decision-making [2,3], anthropometric profiles, body composition or bone quality [4,5,6,7], physical and physiological demands [8,9,10,11] and even psychological profiles, levels of competitive anxiety, mood and self-efficacy or eating disorders [12,13] of beach handball players, have been published. The required efforts are of an intermittent nature with game actions between six and 15s long, however depending on the sex of the players, the physical demands required vary [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. This type of effort is due to the idiosyncrasy of the sport itself (a two-set match of 10 min with a play-off round, if necessary), so it is vital to know the physical demands of the player during the game [15,16]. In this sport, high-intensity actions predominate, with short recovery periods and constant role changes of the players during the match [17].
To achieve an optimal performance of BH players, they should have their weight and fat percentage within the recommended range for their age group, position, and gender [4,5,6,7]. This is because there are direct relationships between body composition and performance tests [5,18]. The size of the body is of great importance for both attacking and defensive blocking, and it is possible to achieve higher throwing velocities and isometric strength, when size is greater [9,19,20].
The internal load demands caused by the practice of BH (physiological demands) are derived from intermittent efforts [11]. For this reason, it is considered a high-intensity sport, as most of the playing time is spent in the game and the player’s HRMAX is above 80% of [10,11,21,22]. Other characteristics to be considered that directly impact the internal load of the athlete would be the kinematic variables in the male players [20]: (a) distance: 870 ± 217 m (male juniors)/790 ± 205 m (male adults) and (b) maximum speed: 17.3 ± 2.0 km/h) (male juniors)/16.3 ± 2.0 km/h (male adults).
To measure the performance variables in team sports, there are different instruments and validated tests that provide fundamental data to evaluate the physical and physiological profile of the athletes. However, one of the most widespread is the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (level) 1 [18,22,23,24], whose only reference applied to BH is found in the research of Martínez-Rodríguez et al. [6]. Other widely used tests are the Abalakov jump test (AJT) and the moving jump (CMJ), which are used to determine fatigue and the lower body power in athletes [20]. In relation to muscle strength, the handgrip test (HT) is used to measure the upper body musculoskeletal strength and muscle fatigue [8,11], applied to BH players. In both cases, the research of Sánchez-Sáez et al. [11] was used as a baseline BH study, that determined that there was no significant reduction in the jumping ability or upper body strength throughout the duration of the game, in beach handball players (p > 0.05).
Due to the high physical demands of the sport, the proper selection of food and fluid intake by players is of great importance [25]. Considering the total energy intake, depending on the duration and intensity of the training, as well as the quality of the food itself, it is necessary to achieve and maintain the body weight, to improve the players’ health and results of the training. The dietary pattern that has the most positive effects on health is the Mediterranean diet (MD) [26,27,28,29].
The objectives of the research were to evaluate the basic measurements of the body composition, performance outcomes and adherence to the Mediterranean diet of professional beach handball players, depending on the category (junior vs. senior) and playing position, as well as to study the possible relationships between the variables. As an initial hypothesis, it is expected that senior players will have higher values for height, sitting height, wingspan, weight and performance outcomes, due to their increased professionalization. The positive correlations are hoped to be found between the performance outcomes and the adherence to the MD.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Design of the Study

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed to analyse the influence of both age categories and playing positions, on the performance test scores and adherence to the median diet. In addition, the maturation was analysed, in the case of the junior category. The best international players from Spain, in this sport, participated in the research. They represent the BH elite from all over the world. The guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and the recommendations of Good Clinical Practice of the EEC (Document 111/3976/88 of July 1990) were considered for all procedures. The Ethics Committee of the University of Alicante (Spain) (UA-2019-04-09) approved the research.

2.2. Eligibility Criteria and Participants

The study involved thirty-six professional beach handball players: 18 senior and 18 junior players. The distribution of the sample by playing position were: six goalkeepers, 12 wings, six specialists, five pivots and seven defenders, all of them were part of the Spanish national BH team. The presence of a chronic disease, an injury during the intervention period that impeded the performance of any of the tests, and non-compliance with the informed consent, were the exclusion criteria established. Nevertheless, all participants gave their consent. In the case of the minors, consent was given by their parents or legal guardians. The anonymity of the players was always maintained. The players did not receive any financial compensation for their participation.

2.3. Data Collection

2.3.1. Body Composition

The four basic means of the international standards for anthropometric assessment (ISAK) were performed; weight, height, sitting height and wingspan. Weight was assessed using the validated Tanita BC-730F bioimpedance scale (Tanita, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). The height and sitting height were determined, using a mobile anthropometer (Seca 213, SECA Deutschland, Hamburg, Germany), with the participants’ heads held in the Frankfurt horizontal plane position. The wingspan (greatest distance between the points of the middle finger of the right and left hands, expressed in centimetres) was measured, using an anthropometer (Smartmet, Jalisco, Mexico), attached to the wall and parallel to the floor. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the weight and height; kg/m2.

2.3.2. Performance Test

To measure the lower limb explosive strength, the CMJ and Abalakov tests [20] were performed. Using an infrared contact platform (Optojump®, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), both tests were performed. The players performed each test three times, with a 30 s rest between jumps. Of these three results, the best one was used for the statistical analysis.
During the CMJ, the players were instructed to place their hands on their hips to minimize the lateral and horizontal displacement during execution [30,31], to avoid any influence of arm movements on the vertical jumps. The CMJ involved participants to descend as quickly as possible from an upright position to a self-selected depth, followed immediately by a vertical jump. The participants were instructed to jump as high as possible.
The Abalakov test was performed similarly to the CMJ, except that the upper limbs had the freedom of action [20]. The players started from an upright position and an upward jump was performed by means of a stretch-shortening cycle (i.e., a flexion followed, as quickly as possible, by a leg extension with the free influence of the arms assessing the reflex-elastic-explosive manifestation and the utilization rate of the lower extremities).
The strength of the upper extremities of the body was measured with the Jamar hand-held hydraulic dynamometer. This test is reliable for assessing the musculoskeletal fitness of the upper extremities in athletes [32]. The participants pressed gradually and continuously for at least two seconds, performing the test with the dominant hand, with the arm forming a 90° angle. The test was performed three times for each hand, with an interval of 1 min, and the maximum score for each hand was recorded in kilograms of force (kg). The highest value recorded was retained for the analysis.
Following the procedures described by Krustrup et al. [33], the test known as the Yo-Yo test IR1 was performed. This test required the participants to perform 2 × 20 m of running interspersed with 10s of recovery at progressive speeds, dictated by a pre-recorded audio-graphic signal. Previously, the participants completed a warm-up, based on low intensity running and joint mobility, directed by a sport scientist. The test was stopped when the participant did not reach the first line in time (the objective assessment), twice in a row, or if they felt they would not be able to complete another sprint (subjective assessment). The final score was recorded as the total distance covered. The reliability of the Yo-Yo test IR1 test was demonstrated by an inter-test coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.6% and an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.94 [22].

2.3.3. Mediterranean Diet Adherence (KIDMED Questionnaire)

To determine the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the KIDMED questionnaire was used [34,35]. There were 16 items in this questionnaire; there were twelve items representing a positive score for the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and four items representing a negative score. A positive response to a question implying the increased adherence, is the equivalent of +1 point. A positive answer to a question that means a low adherence to the diet is worth −1 point. No score is given for negative answers (value 0). All scores are summed up in the KIDMED index, which ranges from 0 to 12 points. Depending on the result obtained, the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is classified as low (very poor-quality diet, 0–3), medium (need to improve the diet, 4–7) or high (adequate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 8–12) [36].

2.4. Statistical Analysis

The Jamovi statistical software (version 1.6.15, The JAMOVI Project, Sydney, Australia) was used for the data analysis. The descriptive data (mean and standard deviation) were calculated. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed to evaluate the normality of the descriptive statistics. To evaluate the normality of the data, Levene’s test was used. To contrast the differences in the baseline measurements, according to the group, the t test was used, with the age and BMI (kg/m2). To contrast the differences in the variables of the adherence and compliance to the Mediterranean diet between the different categories (junior vs. senior) and playing position, a covariance analysis (ANCOVA) with the Bonferroni adjustment was applied, adjusting for the effect of the BMI. The effect size was also calculated, using a partial eta-squared (ηp2), considering <0.25, 0.26–0.63 and >0.63 as small, medium and large effect sizes, respectively [37]. In the case of the analysis according to the playing position, a partial omega squared (ω2) was also calculated, since the sample of each of the groups is smaller (0.01–0.05: small effect, 0.06–0.13: moderate effect, >0.14: large effect) [38].

3. Results

Thirty-six male BH players from the Spanish national team participated in the study. Age, basic anthropometric measurements, and BMI, both for the total sample and by age category (junior vs. senior), are shown in Table 1. Between both categories, there were differences in the variables age, height, sitting height, wingspan and weight. In all cases, the variables of the seniors were superior.
As for the performance variables, the adherence to the MD and the maturation are presented in Table 2. Significant differences are observed for all performance variables, with the values of the senior players being higher in all cases (p < 0.005). Regarding the total KIDMED score, there are no significant differences. In fact, the scores are similar. However, the results obtained in both cases, as for the total sample, indicate that the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is moderate, and therefore needs to be improved.
Following the performance of an analysis of variance, adjusted for the BMI, no significant differences were observed for any of the variables, as a function of the playing position (Table 3). The same applies to the post hoc analyses.
The correlations between the different variables of the total sample are shown in Table 4. To highlight the correlations between some of the performance results and the anthropometric variables, positive correlations were observed between the CMJ and weight (p = 0.012), the CMJ and the BMI (p = 0.003), therefore, the greater the weight and BMI, the greater the jump height (cm). The same is true for the Abalakov test, with p = 0.004 for the weight and p = 0.001 for the BMI. As for the dynamometry, i.e., the upper body strength, it is positively correlated with the height (p = 0.002), the sitting height (p = 0.008), the wingspan (p < 0.001) and the weight (p = 0.011). The opposite occurred with the Yo-Yo test and KIDMED variables.
Negative correlations are observed with the weight (p = 0.003 and p = 0.014 for the Yo-Yo test and KIDMED, respectively) and with the BMI (p < 0.001 and 0.011). Therefore, for a higher weight and BMI, the results of the Yo-Yo test are lower (the distance covered is shorter) and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is worse. The variables of the KIDMED and the Yo-Yo test also correlate positively with each other, therefore, those players who have a better adherence to the Mediterranean diet, covered a greater distance (p = 0.002) and obtained higher VO2 max. values (p = 0.002). Regarding the performance variables among themselves, the Yo-Yo test results (distance travelled and VO2 max) correlate positively with the CMJ and Abalakov test (p = 0.001 in all cases).

4. Discussion

The present research provides new references on the performance variables in male beach handball players. This provides useful information, since it is important to measure the improvement of players with objective tests, to establish strategies both at the physical-sports and dietary levels, to improve the results, so this can translate into better results in competition. The participants were the best beach handball players in Spain. In summary, after observing the results, the initial hypothesis can be confirmed; the results in the performance variables point to differences between junior and senior players, however there are no significant differences between the playing positions. Furthermore, the results of these tests were also positively correlated with the adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
Firstly, focusing on body composition, in all basic measurements, there were differences between the junior and senior players. As shown in a recently published study [7], there are also differences in the variable muscle mass kg, fat mass kg and bone mass kg, and in the skinfolds (triceps, biceps, thigh, calf and the sum of the six skinfolds) and in the perimeters (arm, contracted arm and waist). In all cases the values are higher in the seniors, because of the different developmental stages of the junior versus senior players. However, there were no differences in the body composition and the anthropometric profile, according to the playing position.
Secondly, the performance tests carried out on the subjects and, in comparison with the study carried out by Martínez-Rodríguez et al. [6] on the women’s beach handball national teams (junior and senior), it can be seen that all of the results in the men’s categories were higher than those achieved by the women (Yo-Yo test; Men: junior 607.0 ± 214.0 m and senior 696.0 ± 194.0 m/Women: junior 382 ± 81.4 m and senior 414 ± 109 m; Abalakov jump; Men: junior 40.5 ± 6.14 cm and senior 44.6 ± 8.29 cm/Women: junior 28.5 ± 5.69 cm and senior 35.1 ± 6.89 cm; handgrip; Men: junior 46.6 ± 6.4 kg and senior 57.8 ± 12.01 kg/Women: junior 31.8 ± 3.37 kg and senior 35.1 ± 3.84 kg). Regarding the countermovement jump (CMJ), the results obtained here (junior 34.0 ± 5.31 cm and senior 37.8 ± 5.45 cm) were lower than those obtained by Martínez-Rodríguez et al. [5] (junior 43.7 ± 14.6 cm and senior 40.4 ± 13.6 cm) for the male category and also lower in comparison with the female senior category (39.6 ± 2.5 cm) and higher in the female junior category (30.1 ± 5.9 cm).
In relation to the Yo-Yo test, the data obtained here were superior (junior 607.0 ± 214.0 m and senior 696.0 ± 194.0 m), compared to those obtained by Martínez-Rodríguez et al. [6] (junior 382 ± 81.4 m and senior 414 ± 109 m) in the senior female category. The test selected was used because it has been demonstrated [39] that the Yo-Yo test specifically supports the handball achievements of elite players, meaning that this test, in addition to others, measures the important qualities for success in handball. However, this comparison should be taken with caution, as when comparing the results obtained in the present research with those of [39], significantly lower values were found; the main cause was the playing surface, since, in this study, the players performed the tests on sand.
An important finding of the present research, that coincides with other research [24], is the significant negative correlation between the BMI and CMJ. In other words, the players with the highest BMI were those who performed less countermovement jumping. There were also significant positive correlations between the variables of height, sitting height and wingspan with handgrip scores, so players with a greater overall height, trunk height and wingspan, had more upper limb strength. This has also been seen in professional female basketball players [40], Olympic pistol shooters [41] and volleyball players [42].
Coinciding with NBA basketball players [43] and handball players [44], the players who participated in the present research also presented wingspan values higher than height. It has been seen [44] that a greater wingspan implies a greater occupation of spaces in defensive and offensive actions, this aspect in sports, in which defensive movements using the arms and throws are involved, is a competitive advantage.
Another relevant finding is the significant negative correlations between the weight and the BMI with the results of the Yo-Yo test (both distances covered and VO2 max) and with the adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This means that heavier players have a worse aerobic endurance and also have a poorer dietary pattern.
As previously mentioned, the Mediterranean diet is well known for its health benefits, so it is of great importance that athletes, both professional and recreational, adhere to this dietary pattern [45]. The present investigation shows that professional handball players have an average adherence to the Mediterranean diet, both juniors and seniors. However, it should be noted that if the results of this research are compared with the results of women in the same category and sport [6], the results are slightly higher in the case of men.
If the results are compared with other similar studies in an athletic population, they do not always all go in the same direction. Sánchez-Benito et al. found that young female cyclists had a low or no adherence to the MD [46]. The same was true for elite indoor football athletes, where a low adherence to MD was observed [26].
The present study has certain limitations. First, its cross- sectional design avoids any causal conclusions. The KIDMED questionnaire was used to assess the players’ dietary quality, but not the quantity. It would be an interesting exercise to be able to make seven-day records to be able to evaluate both the quality and quantity.

5. Conclusions

The present cross-sectional study carried out with male players of the BH men’s national teams indicates that the anthropometric characteristics were superior in the senior players. A positive correlation was found between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the different performance test results. Those players who have a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, complete greater distances and obtain higher VO2 max values. Similarly, a positive correlation was found between the CMJ and weight, the CMJ and the BMI, and the same occurs in the correlation between the ABK and weight, and the ABK and the BMI; therefore, if the players have a lower weight and BMI, they will be able to reach a higher jump height. In addition, it has been possible to establish the conclusion that the greater the weight and BMI, the shorter the distance covered by the players in the Yo-Yo test, therefore the player will have a lower aerobic capacity and consequently a lower capacity to recover from the intermittent efforts (a fundamental aspect in the BH). It should also be considered that better results in the Yo-Yo test will improve the jumping ability (CMJ and Abalakov). The characteristics of the environment in which the BH takes place, sand, are a limitation for the present study.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, A.M.-R., J.S.-S., G.C.-R., J.A.V.-D. and J.A.S.-S.; data curation, M.M.-O., R.Y.-S. and M.V.-M.; formal analysis, A.M.-R., M.V.-M. and M.M.-O.; investigation, A.M.-R., J.S.-S., M.V.-M., R.Y.-S. and J.A.S.-S.; methodology, A.M.-R., J.S.-S., R.Y.-S., J.A.V.-D. and J.A.S.-S.; resources, A.M.-R., J.S.-S., M.V.-M., G.C.-R. and J.A.S.-S.; software, M.M.-O., M.V.-M. and A.M.-R.; validation, A.M.-R., J.S.-S. and J.A.S.-S.; writing—original draft, A.M.-R., M.V.-M., M.M.-O., J.A.V.-D. and R.Y.-S.; writing—review and editing, A.M.-R., J.S.-S., G.C.-R. and J.A.S.-S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research has not received external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the University Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Alicante (Spain) (UA-2019-04-09).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study is available upon request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available, due to the personal health information.

Acknowledgments

To the players and coaches of the Spanish Beach Handball National Team, to the Royal Spanish Handball Federation and to the European Institute of Exercise and Health (EIEH) of Alicante University, for their selfless collaboration in this research.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Morillo, J.P.; Lara, D.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A.; Sánchez, J.M. Balonmano playa. In La Formación del Entrenador; Real Federación Española de Balonmano: Madrid, Spain, 2021; pp. 11–33. [Google Scholar]
  2. Vázquez-Diz, J.A.; Morillo-Baro, J.P.; Reigal, R.E.; Morales-Sánchez, V.; Hernández-Mendo, A. Contextual factors and decisionmaking in the behaviour of finalization in the positional attack in beach handball: Differences by gender through polar coordinates analysis. Front. Psychol. 2019, 10, 1386. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  3. Vázquez-Diz, J.A.; Morillo-Baro, J.P.; Reigal, R.E.; Morales-Sánchez, V.; Hernández-Mendo, A. Mixed methods in decision-making analysis through polar coordinate technique: Differences by gender on beach handball specialist. Front. Psychol. 2019, 10, 1627. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  4. Pueo, B.; Espina-Agullo, J.J.; Sellés-Pérez, S.; Penichet-Tomas, A. Optimal body composition and anthropometric profile of world-class beach handball players by playing positions. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6789. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Martínez-Rodríguez, A.; Martínez-Olcina, M.; Hernández-García, M.; Rubio-Arias, J.Á.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J.; Lara-Cobos, D.; Vicente-Martínez, M.; Carvalho, M.J.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A. Mediterranean diet adherence, body composition and performance in beach handball players: A cross sectional study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2837. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Martínez-Rodríguez, A.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J.; Martínez-Olcina, M.; Vicente-Martínez, M.; Miralles-Amorós, L.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A. Study of Physical Fitness, Bone Quality, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Professional Female Beach Handball Players: Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1911. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Martínez-Rodríguez, A.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J.; Vicente-Martínez, M.; Martínez-Olcina, M.; Miralles-Amorós, L.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A. Anthropometric dimensions and bone quality in international male beach handball players: Junior vs. senior comparison. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1817. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Lemos, L.F.; Oliveira, V.C.; Duncan, M.J.; Ortega, J.P.; Martins, C.M.; Ramirez-Campillo, R.; Sanchez, J.S.; Nevill, A.M.; Nakamura, F.Y. Physical fitness profile in elite beach handball players of different age categories. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fit. 2020, 60, 1536–1543. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Pueo, B.; Jimenez-Olmedo, J.M.; Penichet-Tomas, A.; Becerra, M.O.; Agullo, J.J.E. Analysis of time-motion and heart rate in elite male and female beach handball. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2017, 16, 450–458. [Google Scholar]
  10. Zapardiel, J.C.; Asín-Izquierdo, I. Conditional analysis of elite beach handball according to specific playing position through assessment with GPS. Int. J. Perform. Anal. Sport 2020, 20, 118–132. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Sánchez-Sáez, J.A.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J.; Martínez-Rodríguez, A.; Felipe, J.L.; García-Unanue, J.; Lara-Cobos, D. Global positioning system analysis of physical demands in elite women’s beach handball players in an official Spanish championship. Sensors 2021, 21, 850. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Reigal, R.E.; Diz, J.A.V.; Morillo, J.P.; Hernández-Mendo, A.; Morales-Sánchez, V. Psychological profile, competitive anxiety, moods and self-efficacy in beach handball players. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 17, 241. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Martínez-Rodríguez, A.; Vicente-Martínez, M.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J.; Miralles-Amorós, L.; Martínez-Olcina, M.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A. Eating Disorders in Top Elite Beach Handball Players: Cross Sectional Study. Children 2021, 8, 245. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Navarro, A.; Morillo, J.P.; Reigal, R.E.; Hernández-Mendo, A. Polar coordinate analysis in the study of positional attacks in beach handball. Int. J. Perform. Anal. Sport 2018, 18, 151–167. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. International Handball Federation. Rules of the Game. Available online: https://www.ihf.info (accessed on 26 October 2022).
  16. Morillo-Baro, J.P.; Reigal, R.E.; Hernández-Mendo, A. Análisis del ataque posicional de balonmano playa masculino y femenino mediante coordenadas polares. Rev. Int. Cienc. Deporte 2015, 11, 226–244. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Lara, D.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A.; Morillo, J.P.; Sánchez, J.M. Beach handball game cycle. Rev. Int. Deportes Colect. 2018, 34, 89–100. [Google Scholar]
  18. Santos, D.A.; Dawson, J.A.; Matias, C.N.; Rocha, P.M.; Minderico, C.S.; Allison, D.B.; Sardinha, L.B.; Silva, A.M. Reference values for body composition and anthropometric measurements in athletes. PLoS ONE 2014, 9, e97846. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  19. Hermassi, S.; Chelly, M.S.; Michalsik, L.B.; Sanal, N.E.D.; Hayes, L.; Cadenas-Sanchez, C. Relationship between fatness, physical fitness, and academic performance in normal weight and overweight schoolchild handball players in Qatar State. PLoS ONE 2021, 16, e0246476. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Wagner, H.; Sperl, B.; Bell, J.W.; Von Duvillard, S.P. Testing specific physical performance in male team handball players and the relationship to general tests in team sports. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2019, 33, 1056–1064. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Müller, C.; Willberg, C.; Reichert, L.; Zentgraf, K. External load analysis in beach handball using a local positioning system and inertial measurement units. Sensors 2022, 22, 3011. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Bangsbo, J.; Iaia, F.M.; Krustrup, P. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test: A useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Med. 2008, 38, 37–51. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Hammami, M.; Gaamouri, N.; Suzuki, K.; Shephard, R.J.; Chelly, M.S. Effects of Upper and Lower Limb Plyometric Training Program on Components of Physical Performance in Young Female Handball Players. Front. Physiol. 2020, 11, 1028. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Hammami, M.; Hermassi, S.; Gaamouri, N.; Aloui, G.; Comfort, P.; Shephard, R.J.; Chelly, M.S. Field Tests of Performance and Their Relationship to Age and Anthropometric Parameters in Adolescent Handball Players. Front. Physiol. 2019, 10, 1124. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  25. Rodriguez, N.R.; DiMarco, N.M.; Langley, S. American Dietetic Association; Dietitians of Canada; American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and athletic performance. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 2009, 109, 509–527. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  26. Rubio-Arias, J.A.; Ramos, D.J.; Ruiloba, J.M.; Carrasco, M.; Alcaraz, P.E.; Jiménez, F.J. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and sport performance in an elite female athletes futsal population. Nutr. Hosp. 2015, 31, 2276–2282. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  27. Del Chierico, F.; Vernocchi, P.; Dallapiccola, B.; Putignani, L. Mediterranean diet and health: Food effects on gut microbiota and disease control. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15, 11678–11699. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  28. Martini, D. Health Benefits of Mediterranean Diet. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1802. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  29. Correa-Rodríguez, M.; Mansouri-Yachou, J.; Tapia-Haro, R.M.; Molina, F.; Rus, A.; Rueda-Medina, B.; Aguilar-Ferrandiz, M.E. Mediterranean diet, body composition, and activity associated with bone health in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Nurs. Res. 2019, 68, 358–364. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Al Haddad, H.; Simpson, B.M.; Buchheit, M. Monitoring changes in jump and sprint performance: Best or average values? Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2015, 10, 931–934. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Petrigna, L.; Karsten, B.; Marcolin, G.; Paoli, A.; D’Antona, G.; Palma, A.; Bianco, A. A review of countermovement and squat jump testing methods in the context of public health examination in adolescence: Reliability and feasibility of current testing procedures. Front. Physiol. 2019, 10, 1384. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  32. Conforto, I.; Samir, C.; Chausse, F.; Goldstein, A.; Pereira, B.; Coudeyre, E. Comparison of psychometric properties between the Labin, a new electronic dynamometer, and the Jamar: Preliminary results in healthy subjects. Hand Surg. Rehabil. 2019, 38, 293–297. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Krustrup, P.; Mohr, M.; Amstrup, T.; Rysgaard, T.; Johansen, J.; Steensberg, A.; Pedersen, P.K.; Bangsbo, J. The yo-yo intermittent recovery test: Physiological response, reliability, and validity. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2003, 35, 697–705. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Altavilla, C.; Caballero-Pérez, P. An update of the KIDMED questionnaire, a Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents. Public Health Nutr. 2019, 22, 2543–2547. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Galan-Lopez, P.; Domínguez, R.; Pihu, M.; Gísladóttir, T.; Sánchez-Oliver, A.J.; Ries, F. Evaluation of physical fitness, body composition, and adherence to Mediterranean diet in adolescents from Estonia: The AdolesHealth Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 162, 4479. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  36. Serra-Majem, L.; Ribas, L.; Ngo, J.; Ortega, R.M.; García, A.; Pérez-Rodrigo, C.; Aranceta, J. Food, youth and the Mediterranean diet in Spain. Development of KIDMED, Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents. Public Health Nutr. 2004, 7, 931–935. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Richardson, J.T. The analysis of 2 × 2 contingency tables—Yet again. Stat. Med. 2011, 30, 890; author reply 891–892. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Delavari, S.; Soltani, K.; Amini, M.; Aalaa, M.; Pourbairamian, G.; Bahoosh, N.; Asadi, N.; Dalal, B.; Kojuri, J.; Hamidi, H.; et al. The relationship between experiences level and clinical decision-making skill in midwifery students: A cross-sectional study. Med. J. Islam Repub. Iran. 2022, 36, 80. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Hermassi, S.; Hoffmeyer, B.; Irlenbusch, L.; Fieseler, G.; Noack, F.; Delank, K.S.; Gabbett, T.J.; Souhaiel Chelly, M.; Schwesig, R. Relationship between the handball-specific complex-test and intermittent field test performance in professional players. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fit. 2018, 58, 8–16. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Pizzigalli, L.; Micheletti, M.; La Torre, A.; Rainoldi, A.; Benis, R. Hand grip strength and anthropometric characteristics in Italian female national basketball teams. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fit. 2017, 57, 521–528. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Mon-López, D.; Zakynthinaki, M.S.; Cordente, C.A.; García-González, J. The relationship between pistol olympic shooting performance, handgrip and shoulder abduction strength. J. Hum. Kinet. 2019, 69, 39–46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  42. Koley, S.; Pal, S. Correlations of handgrip strength with selected hand-arm-anthropometric variables in Indian inter-university female volleyball players. Asian J. Sports Med. 2011, 2, 220–226. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  43. Cui, Y.; Liu, F.; Bao, D.; Liu, H.; Zhang, S.; Gómez, M.Á. Key anthropometric and physical determinants for different playing positions during National Basketball Association draft combine test. Front. Psychol. 2019, 10, 2359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  44. Camacho-Cardenosa, A.; Camacho-Cardenosa, M.; González-Custodio, A.; Martínez-Guardado, I.; Timón, R.; Olcina, G.; Brazo-Sayavera, J. Anthropometric and Physical Performance of Youth Handball Players: The Role of the Relative Age. Sports 2018, 6, 47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  45. Mosele, J.I.; Motilva, M.J. Phenol biological metabolites as food intake biomarkers, a pending signature for a complete understanding of the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet. Nutrients 2021, 13, 3051. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Sánchez-Benito, J.L.; Sánchez-Soriano, E.; Ginart, J. Evaluación del índice de adecuación a la dieta mediterránea de un colectivo de ciclistas jóvenes. Nutr. Hosp. 2009, 24, 77–86. [Google Scholar]
Table
Table 1. Anthropometric characteristics.
Table 1. Anthropometric characteristics.
Total
(n = 36)		Junior
(n = 18)		Senior
(n = 18)		t Test
MeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeMeanSDRangepMDES
Age (years)20.95.55(16–35)16.70.46(16,17)25.05.19(19–35)<0.001−8.28−2.247
Height (cm)1847.81(173–208)1815.90(174–190)1887.73(173–208)0.0022.291−1.113
Seated height (cm)96.43.73(89.6–104)94.13.17(89.6–101)98.62.79(94.1–104)<0.0010.995−1.514
Wingspan (cm)1899.46(176–220)1847.45(176–203)1939.35(179–220)0.0042.817−1.046
Weight (kg)84.114.0(63.5–115)78.112.2(63.5–98.3)90.113.4(67.8–115)0.0084.275−0.940
BMI (kg/m2)24.62.73(19.8–30.4)23.92.82(19.8–28.4)25.42.50(21.7–30.4)0.1070.889−0.552
n = number per group; SD = standard deviation; cm = centimetres; kg = kilograms; m = meters; BMI = body mass index; MD = mean differences; ES = effect size.
Table
Table 2. Descriptive statistics and differences by category (junior vs. senior).
Table 2. Descriptive statistics and differences by category (junior vs. senior).
Total
(n = 36)		Junior
(n = 18)		Senior
(n = 18)		ANCOVA Comparison
(Adjusting for BMI)
MeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeMDpES
CMJ35.85.64(24.6–48.3)34.05.31(24.6–46.1)37.85.45(29.9–48.3)−5.52<0.001−1.31
ABA42.57.45(32.0–63.4)40.56.14(32.0–57.4)44.68.29(33.2–63.4)−6.360.003−1.11
HG52.211.1(37.0–99.8)46.66.42(37.0–62.0)57.812.0(46.9–99.8)−10.50.004−1.08
YO-YO650207(360–1160)607214(360–1040)696194(480–1160)−1570.007−1.01
VO2 max.41.91.74(39.4–46.1)41.51.79(39.4–45.1)42.31.63(40.4–46.1)−1.320.007−1.01
KIDMED6.782.38(2–11)6.832.26(3–11)6.722.56(2–10)−0.4590.554−0.207
n = number per group; SD = standard deviation; CMJ = countermovement jump; ABA = Abalakov test; HG = handgrip; VO2 max. = maximum oxygen quantity; KIDMED = Mediterranean diet quality index; MD = mean differences; ES = effect size.
Table
Table 3. Differences, according to the playing position.
Table 3. Differences, according to the playing position.
Goalkeepers
(n = 6)		Wings
(n = 12)		Specialist
(n = 6)		Pivots
(n = 5)		Defenders
(n = 7)		ANCOVA
(Adjusted for the BMI)
MeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeMeanSDRangeFpω2
BMI (kg/m2)25.43.14(19.8–28.4)23.12.22(20.2–27.5)24.62.51(21.5–28.0)26.12.51(23.7–30.4)25.52.93(21.2–28.3)
Height (cm)1873.11(184–192)1807.27(173–192)18512.2(174–208)1886.05(182–195)1866.50(174–194)0.6430.636−0.039
Seated height (cm)98.32.04(95.1–101)94.53.04(89.6–101)95.44.84(89.7–104)97.81.74(95.6–100)97.94.84(90.0–104)0.8500.505−0.015
Wingspan (cm)1906.22(181–199)1847.88(177–200)19316.7(176–220)1936.82(186–200)1896.00(178–195)0.7090.592−0.032
Weight (kg)88.910.9(71.7–102)75.110.7(63.5–95.4)84.915.6(64.8–109)92.913.9(79.8–115)88.615.3(69.9–107)0.5400.708−0.015
CMJ35.06.48(24.6–41.0)38.35.13(31.5–48.3)34.42.97(31.0–38.9)36.87.13(28.3–46.6)32.75.97(29.8–46.1)0.9070.473−0.009
ABA41.66.01(32.0–46.7)44.66.72(34.3–58.3)40.54.81(33.6–47.0)45.111.7(34.9–63.4)39.58.22(33.2–57.4)0.9510.449−0.004
HG50.27.93(37.0–58.4)49.110.1(40.5–73.3)51.04.50(43.4–55.8)64.520.4(48.0–99.8)51.75.44(41.8–57.9)1.6200.1950.065
YO-YO552203(360–840)683209(400–1160)707317(400–1160)61666.9(560–720)640183(360–960)0.6780.613−0.027
VO2 max.41.01.70(39.4–43.5)42.11.75(39.8–46.1)42.32.66(39.8–46.1)41.60.562(41.1–42.4)41.81.54(39.4–44.5)0.6780.613−0.027
KIDMED4.832.93(2–10)7.581.68(5–10)8.002.37(5–11)6.801.79(5–9)6.002.58(3–10)1.680.1800.064
n = number per group; SD = standard deviation; BMI = body mass index; cm = centimetres; kg = kilograms; m = meters; CMJ = countermovement jump; ABA = Abalakov test; HG = handgrip; VO2 max. = maximum oxygen quantity; KIDMED = Mediterranean diet quality index; MD = mean differences; ω2 = partial omega squared.
Table
Table 4. Correlations between the variables included in the study.
Table 4. Correlations between the variables included in the study.
HeightSeated HeightWingspanWeightBMICMJABAHGYO-YOVO2 Max.KIDMED
HeightPearson’s r—
p value—
Seated heightPearson’s r0.866 **—
p value<0.001—
WingspanPearson’s r0.899 **0.730 **—
p value<0.001<0.001—
WeightPearson’s r0.793 **0.749 **0.702 **—
p value<0.001<0.001<0.001—
BMIPearson’s r0.429 *0.472 *0.371 *0.888 **—
p value0.0090.0040.026<0.001—
CMJPearson’s r−0.182−0.162−0.084−0.422 *−0.491 *—
p value0.2950.3520.6310.0120.003—
ABAPearson’s r−0.237−0.210−0.172−0.471 *−0.517 *0.924 **—
p value0.1710.2270.3220.0040.001<0.001—
HGPearson’s r0.504 *0.436 *0.542 **0.420 *0.2530.2040.229—
p value0.0020.008<0.0010.0110.1360.2390.186—
YO-YOPearson’s r−0.221−0.206−0.213−0.492 *−0.569 **0.523 *0.517 *−0.019—
p value0.2020.2350.2190.003<0.0010.0010.0010.912—
VO2 max.Pearson’s r−0.221−0.206−0.213−0.492 *−0.569 **0.523 *0.517 *−0.0191.000 **—
p value0.2020.2350.2190.003<0.0010.0010.0010.912<0.001—
KIDMEDPearson’s r−0.251−0.193−0.263−0.406 *−0.418 *0.1380.110−0.1680.512 *0.512 *—
p value0.1400.2590.1220.0140.0110.4290.5280.3290.0020.002—
BMI = body mass index; CMJ = countermovement jump; ABA = Abalakov test; HG = handgrip; VO2 max. = maximum oxygen quantity; KIDMED = Mediterranean diet quality index; * p value < 0.005; ** p value < 0.001.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Martínez-Rodríguez, A.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J.; Martínez-Olcina, M.; Vicente-Martínez, M.; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, R.; Cortés-Roco, G.; Vázquez-Diz, J.A.; Sánchez-Sáez, J.A. Professional Male Beach Handball Players Performance Profile. Nutrients 2022, 14, 4839. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224839

AMA Style

Martínez-Rodríguez A, Sánchez-Sánchez J, Martínez-Olcina M, Vicente-Martínez M, Yáñez-Sepúlveda R, Cortés-Roco G, Vázquez-Diz JA, Sánchez-Sáez JA. Professional Male Beach Handball Players Performance Profile. Nutrients. 2022; 14(22):4839. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224839

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martínez-Rodríguez, Alejandro, Javier Sánchez-Sánchez, María Martínez-Olcina, Manuel Vicente-Martínez, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Guillermo Cortés-Roco, Juan Antonio Vázquez-Diz, and Juan Antonio Sánchez-Sáez. 2022. "Professional Male Beach Handball Players Performance Profile" Nutrients 14, no. 22: 4839. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224839

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop