Physical and Physiological Characteristics of Elite Male Handball Players from Teams with a Different Ranking

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine possible discriminant physical and physiological characteristics between elite male handball players from elite teams with different league rankings. Players from three teams (A, B and C), which competed in the first league of the Greek championship during the season 2011-2012 participated in the study. Team A finished first, B came second and C came eighth out of eleven clubs. Teams A and B also participated in European Cups, and team A won the European Challenge Cup. The players (n=44) were examined for anthropometric characteristics and performed a series of physical fitness tests. Players from teams A and B were taller (6.2 cm (0.7;11.7), mean difference (95% CI) and 9.2 cm (4.0;14.5), respectively), and had a higher amount of fat free mass (6.4 kg (1.1;11.8) and 5.4 kg (0.2;10.5)) compared to those of team C. Players from team A performed better than players from team C in the squat jump (5.5 cm (1.0;10.0)), the countermovement jump without (5.5 cm (0.4;10.6)) and with armswing (6.0 cm (0.7;11.3)) and in the 30 s Bosco test (5.7 W.kg-1 (1.2;10.2)). Also, players from team A outperformed team B in mean power during the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT, 0.5 W.kg-1(0;0.9)) and in the Bosco test (7.8 W.kg-1 (3.4;12.2)). Overall, players from the best ranked team performed better than the lowest ranked team on WAnT, vertical jumps and the Bosco test. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that stature and mean power during the Bosco test were the most important characteristics in TH players, accounting for 54.6% of the variance in team ranking. These findings indicate the contribution of particular physical fitness components (stature, fat free mass and anaerobic power) to excellence in TH. In addition, the use of the Bosco test as an assessment tool in talent identification and physical fitness monitoring in this sport is further recommended.

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Relationship between Nutrition Knowledge and Physical Fitness in Semiprofessional Soccer Players

Scientifica ◽

10.1155/2014/180353 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

P. T. Nikolaidis ◽

E. Theodoropoulou

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Peak Power ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽

Knowledge Questionnaire

Whereas nutrition has a crucial role on sport performance, it is not clear to what extent nutrition knowledge is associated with physical fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the current level of nutrition knowledge of soccer players and whether this level is associated with physical fitness. Soccer players (n=185, aged21.3±4.9 yr, weight72.3±8.4 kg, and height177.5±6.4 cm) performed a battery of physical fitness tests (sit-and-reach test, SAR; physical working capacity in heart rate 170, PWC170; and Wingate anaerobic test, WAnT) and completed an 11-item nutrition knowledge questionnaire (NKQ). Low to moderate Pearson correlations (0.15<r<0.34,p<0.05) of NKQ with age, weight, height, fat free mass (FFM), SAR, peak power, and mean power of WAnT were observed. Soccer players with high score in NKQ were older (4.4 yr (2.2; 6.6), mean difference (95% confidence intervals)) and heavier (4.5 kg (0.6; 8.3)) with higher FFM (4.0 kg (1.1; 6.8)) and peak power (59 W (2; 116)) than their counterparts with low score. The moderate score in the NKQ suggests that soccer players should be targeted for nutrition education. Although the association between NKQ and physical fitness was low to moderate, there were indications that better nutrition knowledge might result in higher physical fitness and, consequently, soccer performance.

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Effects of core Balance and Plyometric Training on Anaerobic Power and Dynamic Postural Stability in Youth Taekwondo Athletes

Exercise Science ◽

10.15857/ksep.2021.30.2.167 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 167-174

Author(s):

Buong-O Chun ◽

Sang-Hyup Choi ◽

Jong-Baek Lee ◽

EonHo Kim ◽

KiHyuk Lee

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Anaerobic Power ◽

Training Data ◽

Relative Fitness ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Mean Power ◽

Core Strength

PURPOSE: Muscle strength, power, speed, postural stability, and anaerobic power are important physical fitness factors required to perform well in a taekwondo competition. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of core balance and plyometric training on physical fitness in young taekwondo athletes.METHODS: Nine young taekwondo athletes participated in this program. Body composition and relative fitness (muscle power, core strength, agility, postural stability, anaerobic power, and isokinetic muscle function) were measured before and after training. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). A paired t-test (pre vs. post) was used for the analysis.RESULTS:The core strength measured by the sit-up count changed significantly after training (p<.05). In case of postural stability, the right absolute reach distance in the Y-balance test improved significantly after training (p<.05). In case of anaerobic power, the mean power (p<.01) and the peak power (p<.01) increased significantly after training.CONCLUSIONS:We demonstrated that 8 weeks of core balance and plyometric training enhanced core strength, balance, and anaerobic power in young taekwondo athletes. Our results suggest that core balance and plyometric training are effective in improving muscle strength, core strength, balance, and anaerobic power.

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Evaluation of fatigue in semi-professional football players: association between overtraining and physical fitness

Biomedical Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/bhk-2014-0009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pantelis T. Nikolaidis

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Anaerobic Capacity ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Future Research ◽

Football Players ◽

Maximal Velocity ◽

French Society ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test

Summary Study aim: overtraining (OT) has a detrimental effect on sport performance, but it is not clear to what extent it influences physical fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between OT and physical fitness in football players. Material and methods: a sample of semi-professional male football players (n = 124) performed a series of anthropometric and physical fitness measurements, and completed the 54-item OT questionnaire of the French Society of Sports Medicine. Results: the OT score was significantly correlated with sit-and-reach test (SAR; rho = −0.20, p < 0.05), theoretical maximal velocity (v0; rho = −0.23, p < 0.05), theoretical maximal force (F0) of the force-velocity test (F-v test; rho = 0.25, p < 0.01) and mean power (Pmean) in W · kg−1 of the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT; rho = −0.20, p < 0.05). The comparison between OT quartiles revealed that the first quartile scored higher than the third quartile in SAR and in v0 (p < 0.05). The fourth quartile scored higher in F0 than the first, second and third quartiles (p < 0.05). The magnitude of these differences among groups was medium. Conclusions: the negative correlations between OT and physical fitness and the highest scores in fitness for the first OT quartile indicate a negative effect of OT on physical fitness (anaerobic capacity, maximal velocity and flexibility) of football players. In addition, because there is very limited prior relevant research on football players’ OT, our data can be used as reference for future research.

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The Relationship of Age and BMI with Physical Fitness in Futsal Players

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7040087 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 87 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Pantelis T. Nikolaidis ◽

Hamdi Chtourou ◽

Gema Torres-Luque ◽

Thomas Rosemann ◽

Beat Knechtle

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Body Mass ◽

Age Groups ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Mean Power ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Isometric Muscle

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of age and body mass status with field and laboratory measures of physical fitness in futsal players. Futsal players (n = 65, age 12.9 ± 2.8 years), who were classified into U11 (n = 28, 9–11 years), U13 (n = 21, 11–13 years), and adults (n = 16, >18 years), performed a physical fitness battery consisting of both laboratory and field tests. A similar prevalence of overweight (25%) was observed in all age groups (χ2 = 1.94, p = 0.380, φ = 0.17). Age groups differed for all parameters, except body fat percentage, with adult players showing higher values than the younger groups (p < 0.05). U13 was heavier, taller, and had larger fat-free mass than U11 (p < 0.05). Adult players had superior values than their younger counterparts for all physical fitness parameters (p < 0.05). Body mass index (BMI) correlated inversely with aerobic capacity (U13), jumping ability, relative isometric muscle strength, and relative mean power in the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) (U11) (p < 0.05). Also, it correlated directly with absolute isometric muscle strength (U11) and peak power, mean power (all groups), and fatigue index (U11, U13) in WAnT (p < 0.05). Considering the results of this study, it was concluded that the prevalence of overweight in futsal players should be an important concern for practitioners working in this team sport. Optimizing BMI should be considered as a training and nutrition goal in order to improve sport performance.

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Application of modified Wingate anaerobic test in maximal power measurement

Medicinski pregled ◽

10.2298/mpns0906207p ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 62 (5-6) ◽

pp. 207-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jelena Popadic-Gacesa ◽

Dea Karaba-Jakovljevic ◽

Otto Barak ◽

Miodrag Drapsin

Keyword(s):

Peak Power ◽

Anaerobic Power ◽

Power Measurement ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽

Explosive Power ◽

Measurement Protocol ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Difference ◽

Anaerobic Test

INTRODUCTION Wingate anaerobic test is an all-out test, which gives information about maximal anaerobic power. The aim of the study was to show characteristics of standard and modified versions of Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), and to determine and explain the differences in observed parameters due to the measurement protocol applied. MATHERIAL AND METHODS The testing was conducted on 30 male non sportsmen, who performed usual everyday activities. The following parameters were measured: peak power or anaerobic power, mean power as a mean value of power during the whole test and explosive power or acceleration. Modified versions were performed with 5 s or 10 s delay of maximal cycling activity, during which the person was slowly pedaling. RESULTS The average values of parameters Peak power and Explosive power in our participants were 622.20?134.57 W and 89.26 ?28.57 W/s, respectively. In modification 1 Peak Power and Explosive Power were 680.25?133.43 W and 100.60?12.77 W/s, and in modification 2 they were 685.95?135.68 W and 100.30?10.09 W/s. Significant differences were found in both parameters between the standard and modified versions, but there was no significant difference between two modified versions. The mean power parameter was not considered in the discussion, because of the fact that modified versions were shortened, and it was not a valid measurement for this parameter. DISCUSION AND CONCLUSION The difference between standard and modified versions can be explained by the difference between test and retest probes, and also because of modification of protocol which can partially influence the results of testing.

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Comparison between the 10- and the 30-s-long Wingate Anaerobic Test in summer Paralympic athletes with a lower limb impairment

Sport Sciences for Health ◽

10.1007/s11332-020-00710-x ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Valentina Cavedon ◽

A. Rosponi ◽

F. Alviti ◽

M. De Angelis ◽

E. Guerra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Peak Power ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Functional Class ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽

Locomotor Impairment ◽

The Mean ◽

High Level ◽

Anaerobic Test

Abstract Background The 30-s-long Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT_30s) has some limitations in high-level athletes. A shorter version might be helpful for both clinical applications and performance assessment. The comparison between the traditional WAnT_30s and a shorter version has never been carried out yet in Paralympic athletes. Aim To assess if a 10-s-long Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT_10s) could be used to accurately assess and predict the anaerobic components of physical fitness as an alternative to the traditional WAnT_30s in male Paralympic athletes. Methods Forty-four trained male Paralympic Athletes grouped by severity of locomotor impairment completed the WAnT_30s and the WAnT_10s with an arm cranking ergometer. Differences between mean and peak power achieved throughout both WAnTs were analysed using a mixed-design analysis of variance and predictivity was assessed by stepwise linear regression analysis. Results In the whole sample, peak power values were similar (P > 0.005) in the two tests and the WAnT_10s mean power was significantly higher than that in the WAnT_30s (P < 0.005). Finally, the mean power measured during WAnT_30s showed high level of predictability from mean power measured during WAnT_10s and the Functional class (adjusted R2 = 0.906; P < 0.001). Conclusion The WAnT_10s is accurate to assess peak power, is definitively appropriate to evaluate the alactic anaerobic metabolism and seems able to predict the mean power as traditionally evaluated through a WAnT_30s in male Paralympic Athletes. Thus, it can be used to assess the anaerobic components of physical fitness in this athletic population.

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Inter-individual Variability in Soccer Players of Different Age Groups Playing Different Positions

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0023 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 213-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Pantelis Nikolaidis ◽

Gal Ziv ◽

Ronnie Lidor ◽

Michal Arnon

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Body Height ◽

Age Groups ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽

Motor Abilities ◽

Physiological Tests

Abstract The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to profile physical characteristics and motor abilities of three age groups of soccer players - under 14 years, 14-17, and over 17, playing different positions - goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards; and (b) to examine the inter-individual variability among the players in each age group in all physical and physiological measurements performed in the study. In addition, anthropometric, power, strength, and flexibility tests were administered. Findings showed large inter-individual variability in all three age groups and in all playing positions. Differences between playing positions were found only in the 14-17 group (body mass) and in the over-17 group (body height, body mass, fat-free mass, and mean power in the Wingate Anaerobic Test). Due to the observed large inter-individual variability, it was concluded that the findings obtained in the physical and physiological tests should be interpreted with caution when attempting to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful soccer players, as well as when trying to predict future success in soccer.

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Allometric Modeling of Wingate Test among Adult Male Athletes from Combat Sports

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56090480 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (9) ◽

pp. 480

Author(s):

Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva ◽

Paulo Sousa-e-Silva ◽

Vinícius S. Morato ◽

Daniela C. Costa ◽

Diogo V. Martinho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Three Dimension ◽

Combat Sports ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽

Male Adult ◽

Allometric Models ◽

Fair Competition ◽

And Performance

Background and objectives: Athletes from combat sports are grouped into a series of weight categories that are intended to promote fair competition. Differences in performance are partly attributable to differences in body size. Consequently, ratio standards in which a performance variable is simply divided by an anthropometric characteristic such as body mass are often used, although this application is not recommended. This study aimed to obtain allometric models to interpret Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) outputs among male adult athletes from combat sports. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of 64 participants aged 18–39 years (24.2 ± 4.6 years). Stature and body mass (BM) were measured and air displacement plethysmography used to estimate fat mass and fat-free mass (FFM). Lower-limb lean soft tissue (LL-LST) was derived from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. WAnT outputs were peak power (WAnT-PP) and mean power (WAnT-MP). Allometric models were obtained from simple and multiple linear regressions using log-transformed variables. Results: Models derived from a single three-dimension descriptor explained a large portion of variance: WAnT-PP (BM: 31.1%; FFM: 54%; LL-LST: 47.2%) and WAnT-MP (BM: 50.1%; FFM: 57.4%; LL-LST: 62.7%). Finally, the best proportional allometric models emerged from the combination of LL-LST and FFM (WAnT-PP: 55%; WAnT-MP: 65%). Conclusions: The relationship between weight categories and performance did not seem to be explained by the basic principles of geometric similarity.

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Anaerobic fitness assessment in taekwondo athletes. A new perspective

Motricidade ◽

10.6063/motricidade.8954 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 127 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Fernando Rocha ◽

Hugo Louro ◽

Ricardo Matias ◽

Aldo Costa

Keyword(s):

Peak Power ◽

Anaerobic Power ◽

Anaerobic Capacity ◽

Standard Test ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Mean Power ◽

Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽

Constant Bias ◽

New Perspective ◽

Anaerobic Test

We intended to determine the concurrent validity of a taekwondo specific anaerobic test (TSAT) to assess anaerobic fitness in taekwondo athletes. Seventeen elite male subjects (17.59 ± 4.34 years of age; 1.72 m ± .07 m in height; 61.3 kg ± 8.7 kg in weight and 15.6% ± 8.5% in body fat) performed a TSAT, which consisted of kicking a punching bag for 30 seconds. The standard test was the Wingate Anaerobic Test. Two trials were made for both tests and the agreement between both was tested. The variables analysed and compared were: peak power; relative peak power; mean anaerobic power; relative mean anaerobic power; fatigue index and anaerobic capacity. The number of kicks performed in the TSAT protocol and the maximum height of the counter movement jump (CMJ) were also registered. Trial I and II had significant ICC results in all variables (P = .000) ranged between 0.56 and 0.97. Both protocols were significantly correlated (r = 0.55 to 0.88; P = .000 to .05). CMJ strongly correlated with the number of techniques (r=0.59; P = .013) and the mean power (r = 0.56; P = .019) of the TSAT. The variables between the two methods correlate and are consistent, except for the anaerobic capacity that although correlated, is not consistent with constant bias, P = 0.001; CI]-705.1;-370.2[. TSAT has a level of agreement with the Wingate, and assigns specificity in the evaluation of these variables.

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Effects of Time-Restricted Feeding on Supramaximal Exercise Performance and Body Composition: A Randomized and Counterbalanced Crossover Study in Healthy Men

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18147227 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (14) ◽

pp. 7227

Author(s):

Joana M. Correia ◽

Inês Santos ◽

Pedro Pezarat-Correia ◽

Cláudia Minderico ◽

Brad J. Schoenfeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Body Mass ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Restricted Feeding ◽

Supramaximal Exercise ◽

Mean Power ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Dietary Record

Using a crossover design, we explored the effects of both short- and long-term time-restricted feeding (TRF) vs. regular diet on Wingate (WnT) performance and body composition in well-trained young men. Twelve healthy male physical education students were included (age: 22.4 ± 2.8 years, height: 174.0 ± 7.1 cm, body mass: 73.6 ± 9.5 kg, body mass index: 24.2 ± 2.0 kg/m2). The order of dieting was randomized and counterbalanced, and all participants served as their own controls. TRF was limited to an 8-h eating window and non-TRF involved a customary meal pattern. Participants performed WnT tests and body composition scans at baseline, post-one and post-four weeks of the assigned diet. Before testing, participants were asked to fill out a dietary record over four consecutive days and were instructed to continue their habitual training throughout the study. Energy intake and macronutrient distribution were similar at baseline in both conditions. WnT mean power and total work output increased post-four weeks of TRF. Both conditions were similarly effective in increasing fat-free mass after four weeks of intervention. However, there was no correlation between change in fat-free mass and WnT mean power after TRF. TRF did not elicit any changes in WnT performance or body composition one week post-intervention. Thus, long-term TRF can be used in combination with regular training to improve supramaximal exercise performance in well-trained men.

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