The Relationship Between Dexterity, Isokinetic Muscles Strength, Sprint Proficiency And Anaerobic Performancein National Handball Players

Abstract

Background: Handball is a strenuous intermittent team sport with specific requirements for anthropometric characteristics, technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical performance. Recent rule changes and the implementation of the “fast center” have placed
greater physical demands on handball players. This development has put pressure on coaches and other responsible persons to consider athletic and performance parameters in more detail as important factors for team success. Regarding the importance of specific conditional factors in professional handball, several qualitative and quantitative studies have been published. Some of these studies demonstrated that key characteristics in elite handball are endurance Agility aids performance in activities that require rapid changes in direction while maintaining balance, speed, strength, and body control. It is an important aspect in many sports such as netball and basketball. A good level of dexterity can translate to better performance and can give an edge over the competition. Sprint proficiency also progresses from a linear run to a change of direction and even a change of pace. The end result is a better-conditioned body for Handball. Therefore, the authors decided to further explore the role of isokinetic musclestrength,dexterity, and sprint proficiency in anaerobic performance of National handball players.
Objectives: The purpose of the study was to analysis the relationship between dexterity, isokinetic muscles strength, sprint proficiency and anaerobic performance in national handball players.
Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was employed in which data was collected only once in a week. There were twenty-fourHandball players (Male & Female) of Higher education institutions who represented Higher Education Commission at National level competitions in Pakistanand volunteered to participate in this study. Data was collected by conducting Aerobic & anaerobic tests for measuring isokinetic muscle strength with one minute sit up test, dexterity was measured by 20-metershuttle run test, sprint proficiency was measured by 30-meter sprint test, and anaerobic performance was measured by using the Wingate test at 60, 150 and 180°/second.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.5 ± 1.8 years; mean weight 60.95 ±5.9 kg; mean height 169 ± 8.1 cm; mean body mass 22.4± 1.6; and mean VO2max 55.60 ± 6.7 ml/kg/min. A significantly positive association was observed between isokinetic muscle
strength and dexterity (r = .867); muscle strength and sprinting proficiency (r= .844); and isokinetic muscle strength and Anaerobic performance (r= .824) at the 0.01 level. Regression analysis indicated that dexterity is a good predictor of anaerobic performance
(p= .016). The results of Independent Sample t-test indicated significant difference between male and female players on anaerobic performance (p = .000), However, anaerobic performance was significant at 135o on Wingate test.