Physical demands in elite team handball: comparisons between male and female players

The aim of the present study was to examine potential differences in the physical demands imposed on male vs. female adult elite team handball players during match-play.

Male and female elite team handball players were monitored over a six and five season time span, respectively. Each player was evaluated during match-play by use of video recording and subsequent computerized locomotive and technical match analysis. Furthermore, physiological measurements during match-play, physical testing and anthropometric measurements were performed.

Female players (FP, N.=82) covered a longer mean total distance per match (4693±333 m, group means±SD) compared to male players (MP, N.=83, 3945±538 m) when playing full time (P<0.01). FP exercised at a greater relative workload (79.4% of VO2-max) than MP (70.9% of VO2-max, P<0.05), but performed less high-intense running per match (2.5% of total distance covered) than MP (7.9%, P<0.01). FP also spent less time standing still (10.8% of total effective playing time) compared to MP (36.9%, P<0.001) and showed fewer activity changes (663.8±99.7) compared to MP (1482.4±312.6, P<0.001). MP received more tackles in total in offence (34.5±21.3) and performed more tackles in total in defence (29.9±12.3) compared to FP (14.6±9.2, 20.7±9.7, P<0.05). Furthermore, MP performed more high-intense technical playing actions per match (36.9±13.1) than FP (28.3±11.0, P<0.05). The mean body height and body mass differed between MP (189.6±5.8 cm, 91.7±7.5 kg) and FP (175.4±6.1 cm, 69.5±6.5 kg, P<0.001).

Substantial gender-specific differences in the physical demands in elite team handball were observed, with MP performing more high-intense, strength-related playing actions and high-intensity running than FP. Conversely, FP covered a greater total distance and demonstrated a higher relative workload than MP. The physical training of male and female elite team handball players should be designed to reflect these contrasting needs.