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

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.

Monitoring and Interpreting External Load in Basketball: A Narrative Review / Monitoreo e Interpretación de la Carga Externa en el Baloncesto: Una Revisión Narrativa

External load monitoring brings valuable information to practitioners and coaches about the physical requirements of the activity developed by their players, according to their level of competition, age and gender. This information can be used to individualize training programs and to optimize the time invested in them, making coaches and players more efficient in the process. This review asses the results reflected in the existing bibliography about the measurements of external load in the sport of basketball, synthesizing them in one article for the scientific reader. Data from 29 scientific papers has been organized and discussed, providing relevant insights about the goals and findings, sample, measurement variables and technology for monitoring external load in basketball

La monitorización de la carga externa aporta información valiosa a los profesionales y entrenadores sobre los requisitos físicos de la actividad desarrollada por sus jugadores, de acuerdo con su nivel de competencia, edad y género. Esta información se puede utilizar para individualizar los programas de entrenamiento y optimizar el tiempo invertido en ellos, haciendo que los entrenadores y jugadores sean más eficientes en el proceso. Esta revisión evalúa los resultados reflejados en la bibliografía existente sobre las medidas de carga externa en el deporte del baloncesto, sintetizándolas en un artículo para el lector científico. Los datos de 29 artículos científicos se han organizado y discutido, proporcionando información relevante sobre los objetivos y hallazgos, muestra, variables de medición y tecnología para monitorizar la carga externa en el baloncesto

O monitoramento de carga externa traz informações valiosas para os praticantes e treinadores sobre as exigências físicas da atividade desenvolvida por seus jogadores, de acordo com seu nível de competição, idade e sexo. Essas informações podem ser usadas para individualizar programas de treinamento e otimizar o tempo investido neles, tornando treinadores e jogadores mais eficientes no processo. Esta revisão avalia os resultados refletidos na bibliografia existente sobre as medidas de carga externa no esporte de basquete, sintetizando-as em um artigo para o leitor científico. Dados de 29 trabalhos científicos foram organizados e discutidos, fornecendo insights relevantes sobre os objetivos e descobertas, amostra, variáveis de medição e tecnologia para monitorar a carga externa no basquete