Physical Training Jun 2008

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N. OXYZOGLOU¹, D. HATZIMANOUIL², A. KANIOGLOU², AND Z. PAPADOPOULOU¹

¹Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at Serres, Laboratory of Neuromuscular Control and Therapeutic Exercise, Agios Ioannis 62110 Serres, Greece,
²Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece.

Nikolaos Oxyzoglou
K. Karamanli 80 Street T. K.
55134 Kalamaria
Thessaloniki
Greece
Tel: (+30) 2310482503
Fax: (+30) 2310482503
E-Mail: oxyzoglou@sch.gr

Introduction

The motor abilities of athletes play an important role and contribute to a great extent to high performance in most team sports (Bayios, 1999; Bolek, 1982b; Bota 1984; Hošek and Pavlin, 1983; Stawiarski, 1989). Izaak (1975) realised that pivotal players have best results in the relative force of their trunk. In similar research pivotal players were stronger in upper and lower limbs, while extreme players had more muscle endurance in abdominal muscles and fully extended foot (Bolek, 1982b). As regard the lower limbs’ power measuring with triple jump from a standing position, the ideal performance of elite handball players will be should between 9 to 9.50 m (Jeftusenko, 1981; Khosla, 1983; Tumanian and Martirosov, 1976). The vertical jump of elite handball players Fulkozi (1994) was increased from 59.1 cm to 68.8 cm and the horizontal jump from 258.1 cm in 269.7 cm after repetitive measures. The same author reported that this augmentative tendency of all the above parameters probably is the same in all the playing positions separately. Agility in handball is an essential motor ability mainly in the defensive role of players, because they move very often and cover a distance of 3-4 metres (Fekete and Kovacs, 1983; Zarek, and Stawiarski, 1978). Moreover, the attacking players specifically move backwards and forwards, covering  roughly 1000 meters in this way during an event (Slovik, Horvat, and Zafkova, 1989). The relation between running and defensive movements is 4:1 that is to say 2000/4=500 m. This means that 500 metres are covered during defensive movements that do not exceed distances of 1-4 metres length (Kovac, Kovac, Jovanovic, and Djuric, 1983; Kovac, and Djukic, 1980; Kovac, 1977). Analyzing the results of the 5^th European Men’s championship Mocsai (2002) found that weight is related more with agility than height. Flexibility in handball is considered a basic motor ability for all players because it helps in the implementation of a larger width of joints’ movements and is decisive for their success (Anderson, 1989; Zaciorski, 1981). Handball is a dynamic team sport that is distinguished by a highly developed force level, agility and flexibility (Wolf, Tittel, Doscher, Luck, Hierse, Kiess, Lippold, Tetzlaff, Kohler and Schaetz, 1974). From the above-mentioned points we can conclude that handball players in every playing position must be distinguished for the high level of motor abilities that probably contribute more generally to the team performance.

Studies relative to motor abilities at playing position in handball are rare and they don’t refer to the variables of our study. The aim of this study was to define and evaluate power, agility and flexibility at every playing position separately and to compare them.

Methods

Subjects

The total sample consisted of 46 handball players of the national teams of Greece and Serbia, aged 18-21. They were divided into four experimental groups. Concretely, the groups consisted of (n = 8 goalkeepers) (n = 14 extreme-wings) (n = 16 backs) and (n = 8 pivots).

Measures

The evaluation of strength was done with the following measurements: a) with long jump (cm), b) with triple jump, and c) with vertical jump (Abalakov test). Agility was evaluated with the following measurements a) with the best time in retrograde running 10x5 m (sec), b) with the best time in side-frontal running 6x5 m (sec) and c) with the best time through center, around a square scheme (envelope) 5x3m (sec). The evaluation of flexibility was done with the measurement a) of the movement width of the wrist joint flexion-extension b) of the movement width of wrist joint flexion, c) the movement width of wrist joint extension and d) the movement width of the hips joint with front-back spaggat (index).

The measurements were done according to the International Biological Program during morning and evening hours before the training and after warm-up, according to the instructions of (EUROFIT 1986). The best measurement between two efforts was taken into account, while the conditions of measurement were kept absolutely.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive and non-parametric statistic was applied aiming to the quantity analysis of the data correlatively with the aim of this study. The mean and standard deviation were applied from the descriptive statistic. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U analysis were used for the comparison among groups. The significance level was 05.

Results

The Kruscal-Wallis test revealed statistically significant differences between playing positions in running 5x3m (H=8.14, p<.04) and spaggat (H=13.08, p<.001).
Mann-Whitney U analysis found statistically significant differences for spaggat (Goalkeepers > Wings, Backs and Pivots and Backs > Pivots) and running 5x3m (Wings and Backs > Goalkeepers and Wings > Pivots). There were no statistically significant differences between the rest of the variables among groups (Table 1 and 2).

Table 1: Means, Standard Deviations and Mean Ranks of morphological characteristics and motor abilities of team handball player’s position.

	Goalkeepers		Wings		Backs		Pivots
	M SD	RangM	M SD	RangM	M SD	RangM	M SD	RangM
Long jump	206.62±16.23	24.63	208.00±22.44	19.19	201.21±11.79	19.81	202.42±20.14	22.00
Triple jump	769.12±53.92	20.56	779.12±109.3	21.19	778.05±58.63	22.22	759.14±26.90	18.14
Vertical jump	57.50±6.09	23.31	58.62±9.88	20.88	56.44±5.50	21.08	55.71±4.82	19.43
Running 10x5m	14.06±.50	28.44	13.64±.54	20.75	13.50±0.63	19.19	13.49±0.59	17.43
Running 6x5m	8.76±.38	24.88	8.37±.46	16.06	8.56±0.45	20.33	8.68±0.26	23.93
Running around a square 5x3m	11.82±.70	29.38	10.91±.33	13.50	11.16±0.60	19.17	11.46±0.57	24.71
Width of wrist joint	145.62±16.54	22.44	150.12±13.01	25.50	145.38±18.03	20.19	140.28±13.23	16.29
Wrist flexion	72.25±9.45	20.50	77.00±6.41	24.81	74.44±9.10	21.31	70.85±11.20	16.43
Wrist extension	70.37±11.66	21.06	73.12±7.66	23.31	71.16±12.93	21.44	68.00±7.93	17.14
Spaggat	0.11±4.23	8.44	0.17±3.74	21.38	0.17±3.19	22.53	0.20±3.55	31.00

Table 2: Rank Comparison among position team handball players.

	Goalkeepers vs Wings		Goalkeepers vs Backs		Goalkeepers vs Pivots		Wings vs Backs		Wings vs Pivots		Backs vs Pivots
	Mann-Whitney U	p	Mann-Whitney U	p	Mann-Whitney U	p	Mann-Whitney U	p	Mann-Whitney U	p	Mann-Whitney U	p
Long jump	24.00	ns	54.00	ns	25.00	ns	66.50	ns	27.00	ns	54.00	ns
Triple jump	30.00	ns	66.50	ns	24.50	ns	69.50	ns	26.00	ns	49.00	ns
Vertical jump	31.00	ns	68.00	ns	22.50	ns	71.50	ns	27.50	ns	58.00	ns
Running 10x5m	19.00	ns	39.50	.05	14.00	ns	66.50	ns	23.00	ns	57.00	ns
Running 6x5m	17.50	ns	56.50	ns	27.00	ns	58.50	ns	16.50	ns	53.00	ns
Running around a square 5x3m	7.00	.00	36.50	.05	21.50	ns	53.50	ns	12.00	.05	46.50	ns
Width of wrist joint	31.00	ns	67.00	ns	20.50	ns	52.50	ns	12.50	.07	53.00	ns
Wrist flexion	25.00	ns	69.50	ns	22.50	ns	59.50	ns	17.00	ns	47.00	ns
Wrist extension	30.50	ns	68.50	ns	22.50	ns	65.50	ns	17.50	ns	52.00	ns
Spaggat	10.00	.02	19.50	.00	2.00	.00	66.50	ns	14.50	ns	32.50	.06

Discussion

Goalkeepers

Regarding the horizontal long jump, the triple jump and the vertical jump the goalkeepers had 206.62±16.23 cm 769.12±53.92 cm and 57.50±6.09 cm. Fulkozi (1994), observed that the long jump increased from 258.1 cm to 269.7 cm and the vertical jump from 59.1 cm to 68.8 cm. The values from our study are lower than the above values, probably because of the different category of our sample (men-young boys). Arslanagic (1997), states that agility is one of the most important motor characteristics a goalkeeper must have. Moreover a goalkeeper must be characterized by the maintenance of balance, agility, accuracy in movement performance with or without the ball and orienteering agility in relation to time and space (Zaciorski, 1981). Regarding the wrist joint flexibility the goalkeepers had total movement width 145.62±16.54^o, wrist flexion and extension 72.25±9.45^o and 70.37±1.66^o respectively. The palm flexibility has a significant role for the receiving and good handling of the ball (Burton, Greer, & Wiese-Bjornstal, 1992). These elements are necessary for the goalkeeper and they are also useful for the fast transmission of the ball with accuracy mainly during sudden attacks. In our study the pelvis joint flexibility was 0.1±4.23 (index). According to (Arslanagic, 1997) the goalkeeper’s flexibility must be very developed, particularly at the hips, because it is necessary for repulsing, mainly in cases where lower limbs are used.

Extremes (wings)

Regarding the long jump and the triple jump our results showed that the wings’ values were 208.00±22 cm and 779.12±109 cm respectively. According to Bayios (1999), these players carry out the 46% of the total efforts of the team, while the 65% of these efforts is very efficient. Most times their efforts are expressed as sudden attacks, so they must be characterized by a developed power level. The wings’ vertical jump was 58.62±9.88 cm. Fulkozi (1994), analyzed the national men’s team of Yugoslavia from 1970 to 1986 and found out that the vertical jump increased from 59.1 cm to 68.8 cm. The ability to perform a high value long and vertical jump gives the athlete an advantage during the game and, of course, more chances and possibilities for higher efficiency (Klizning, 1991).

Regarding agility, our results showed a high value mainly for the variable (running 5x3 m), which includes movements towards all the directions (10.91±3.3 sec). Most players, but mainly the wings, who play at the side attacker's and repulse attacker's position, carry out frontal-back and side movements(5-6m). In this way they run about 1000m during a game (Slovik et al. 1989). Regarding the wrist joint flexibility, the wings had a total movement width (150.12±13.01^o), wrist flexion and extension 77.00±6.41^o and 73.12±7.66^o respectively. Moreover these players’ pelvis joint flexibility was 0.17±3.74 index. Bolek (1982a), refers that the developed level of wrist joint flexibility is an important factor that determines the transmission and the throwing of the ball at the concrete game position.

Back players

Regarding the long jump, the triple jump and the vertical jump, the back players’ values were 201.21±11.79 cm, 778.05±58.63 cm and 56.44±5.50 cm according to our results. Vujovic’s study (2004), regarding adolescent handball players’ explosive strength of lower limbs, showed that the highest difference among the game positions was between the goalkeepers and back players. On the contrary, the wings and central back players had the lowest difference. Handball players perform a lot of throws for a goal mainly with jump (24%) from the central area (Zahalka, Tuma, and Bunk, 1997). So, the correct technical performance of these throws requires a high level of explosive strength of the lower limbs. In the triple jump, the ideal model for high level handball players must include high values (Jeftusenko, 1981). In our study these values were lower than the above writers’ results, probably because of the different sample (young boys - men).

In handball, agility is a necessary motor ability mainly for the players’ offensive and defensive role, because they move very often and perform exits of 3-4m (Bayios, 1999; Fekete, and Kovacs, 1983; Zarek and Stawiarski, 1978). Moreover the side back players perform frontal-back movements (5-6m) during the attack and in this way they run about 1000m during a game (Slovik et al. 1989). Regarding wrist joint flexibility, the back players’ total movement width was 145.38±18.03^o. The wrist flexion width was 74.44±9.10^o, while the extension width was 71.16±12.93^o. Pappas’s, Morgan’s, Schulz’s and Diana’s, (1995), study showed a correlation between efficiency and the wrist movement width. They state that the extension width and the wrist joint flexion influence the direction of the ball. The spaggat measurements (0.17index) showed that these players had the highest difference in relation to the goalkeepers.

Pivots

The athletes, who compete at the pivot position, had the following values for the long jump, triple jump and vertical jump: 202.42±20.14cm, 759.14±26.90cm and 55.71±4.48cm. These values were lower than those at the rest of the playing positions and are statistically unimportant. Probably this is due to the particularly developed form of strength and concretely, the maximum strength by which they are characterized (Bolek, 1982a).

The motor ability of agility is necessary at this playing position, mainly during their offensive role, because players often move and perform exits of 3-4m (Zarek, and Stawiarski, 1978; Fekete, and Kovacs, 1983; Bayios, 1999). Moreover they often play at the central offense position and undertake the control of players who are distinguished by high mobility and explosiveness. So the presence of this motor ability becomes more necessary.

Regarding the wrist joint and hips joint flexibility, the pivots’ values were 70.85±11.20cm and 0.20±3.55 (index) respectively. These values were the lowest ones at all playing positions. In some cases, this difference was significant (spaggat). It probably happens because the athletes, who compete at this position, perform efforts from the central area of the goal posts from a wide throwing corner. So, they often have to perform throws that require high degree or wrist joint flexibility. This also happens to the wings who perform throws from small corners with efficiency (Taborsky, 2001). Pokrajac (1983) says that training influences the grip and handling of the ball significantly.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that: The goalkeepers are characterized by the lowest agility and a better flexibility level, mainly in the pelvis joint in relation to the rest playing positions. The wings have a more developed level of power and agility in relation to the goalkeepers and pivots. The back players differ from the goalkeepers and pivots in pelvis flexibility and agility. The pivots have the lowest values for the motor abilities of wrist flexibility and agility and at all playing positions having a bigger difference from the wings.

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