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

Abstract

An understanding of physical demands during official competitions is essential to achieving the highest performance in handball. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the available scientific evidence associated with physical demands during official competitions in elite handball according to playing positions, competition level and gender. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 17 studies were selected after a systematic search and selection process of three digital databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Sport Discus. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist; the average score was 18.47 points. The sample consisted of 1175 handball players, of whom 1042 were men (88.68%) and 133 were women (11.32%). The results show that an elite handball player covered on average 3664.4 ± 1121.6 m during a match. The average running pace was 84.8 ± 17.2 m∙min^-1. The total distance covered was largely greater in national competitions (4506.7 ± 647.9 m) compared with international competitions (2190.3 ± 1950.5 m) (effect size (ES) = 1.2); however, the running pace did not present any significant difference between the international or national level (ES = 0.06). In regard to gender, the total distance covered was moderately greater in female competitions (4549.1 ± 758.6 m) compared with male competitions (3332.6 ± 1257.7 m) (ES = 0.9), and the running pace was largely greater in female competitions (110.5 ± 7.2 m∙min^-1) compared with male competitions (78.4 ± 19.7 m∙min^-1) (ES = 1.6). In relation to playing position, backs and wings covered a moderately greater total distance (ES = 0.7 and 0.6) and slightly more meters per minute (ES = 0.4 and 0.2) than pivots. Moreover, the technical activity profile differed between playing positions. Backs performed moderately more throws than pivots and wings (ES = 1.2 and 0.9), pivots exhibited largely more body contact than backs and wings, and wings performed moderately more fast breaks (6.7 ± 3.0) than backs (2.2 ± 2.3) (ES = 1.8). Therefore, this research study provides practical applications for handball coaches and strength and conditioning professionals with respect to designing and implementing more individualised training programmes to maximise performance and reduce injury risk.

Keywords: IMU; LPS; external load; handball; internal load; physical demands; tracking system; workload.

Figure 1

Flow diagram for screening and selection of studies according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA).

Figure 2

(a,b). Total distance covered according to the competition level and gender. The magnitude of the standardised differences (effect size) between the competition level and gender is indicated by the number of symbols: one symbol stands for a moderate difference and two for a large difference.

Figure 3

Total distance covered according to playing positions. The magnitude of the standardised differences (effect size) between the different positions is indicated by the number of symbols: one symbol stands for a moderate difference, two for a large difference and three for a very large difference. b stands for substantial difference vs. backs, w vs. wings and p vs. pivot [10,12,15,40,42,43,48].

Figure 4

(a,b). Running pace related to the competition level and gender. The magnitude of the standardised differences (effect size) between the competition level and gender is indicated by the number of symbols: two for a large difference.

Figure 5

Running pace according to playing positions. The magnitude of the standardised differences (effect size) between the different positions is indicated by the number of symbols: one symbol stands for a moderate difference, two for a large difference, three for a very large difference. B stands for substantial difference vs. backs, w vs. wings and p vs. pivot [10,12,15,40].

Figure 6

Heart rate responses according to the gender. The magnitude of the standardised differences (effect size) between the competition level and gender is indicated by the number of symbols: two for a large difference.

Figure 7

Technical activity according to playing positions. The magnitude of the standardised differences (effect size) between the different positions is indicated by the number of symbols: one symbol stands for a moderate difference, two for a large difference and three for a very large difference; b for substantial difference vs. backs, w vs. wings and p vs. pivot. Data were merged from different studies: throws data come from Michalsik et al. [45,46] and Povoas et al. [48]; fast breaks from Michalsik et al. [45,46]; jumps, stops, COD and one-on-one situations from Povoas et al. [48]; tackles and screenings from Michalsik et al. [46].

Figure 8

Physiological responses of repeated high-intensity decelerations.