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External Load Analysis in Beach Handball Using a Local Positioning System and Inertial Measurement Units
Carsten Müller1,2, Christina Willberg1, Lukas Reichert1
1Movement and Exercise Science in Sport, Institute of Sport Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60487 Frankfurt (Main), Germany.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 23, 2022
Summary
Beach handball players show reduced external workload in the second half of matches. Player load and directional changes decrease, with significant differences based on age, sex, and playing position.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Beach handball is a dynamic sport with high-intensity actions.
- Understanding external load is crucial for optimizing performance and preventing injuries in athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze external load metrics in elite beach handball players.
- To investigate the influence of match set, age, sex, and playing position on external load.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 69 German national/prospective team players during official tournaments.
- Utilized local positioning system (10 Hz) and inertial measurement units (100 Hz) for data collection.
- Statistical analysis compared first and second sets, and examined effects of age, sex, and playing position on external load.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in external workload was observed in the second set (p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.09), evidenced by lower player load per minute and fewer changes in direction.
- Age/sex (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.22) and playing position (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.29) significantly impacted external load measures.
- Data provide a comprehensive profile of external load in high-performing beach handball players.
Conclusions:
- External workload in beach handball decreases during the second set.
- Age, sex, and specific playing positions are significant determinants of external load in beach handball.
- Findings offer valuable insights for coaches and practitioners to enhance athletic performance in beach handball.
