ARE THERE ANY DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL FITNESS
AND THROWING VELOCITY BETWEEN NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL ELITE FEMALE HANDBALL PLAYERS?
CRISTINA GRANADOS,1 MIKEL IZQUIERDO,2 JAVIER IBÁÑEZ,2 MAITE RUESTA,2
ESTEBAN M. GOROSTIAGA2
1
Physical Education Department, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/
EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; and 2Studies, Research and Sport Medicine Center, Government of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
ABSTRACT
Granados, C, Izquierdo, M, Ibáñez, J, Ruesta, M, and Gorostiaga,
EM. Are there any differences in physical fitess and throwing
velocity between national and international elite female handball
players? J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 723–732, 2013—This
study compared physical characteristics in a 2003 national
elite female team (NE; n = 16; fourth in the Spanish Champion-
ship) to the same team when it reached international level in
2009 (IE; n = 14; winner of the Spanish Championship and the
European Handball Cup). Body height, body mass, body fat,
and fat-free mass, 1-repetition maximum bench press (1RMBP),
vertical jumping height, handball throwing velocity, power-load
relationship of the leg and arm extensor muscles, 5- and 15-m
sprint running time, and running endurance were measured in
the second competitive mesocycle of a season. Results
revealed that, compared with NE, IE players presented similar
values in body mass, body height, sprint running time, handball
throwing velocity, and jumping, but higher values (p , 0.01–0.05)
in age (17%), 1RMBP (15%), power-load relationship of the
arm (16%), and leg (10%) extensors, and endurance running
velocities (7%). Significant correlations (r = 0.71–0.72, p ,
0.05) were observed in IE, but not in NE, between individual
values of standing throw and individual values of power at 30%
of 1RMBP, and individual values of power at 60% of body mass
during half-squat actions. The present results suggest that
more experienced, powerful and aerobically conditioned play-
ers are at an advantage in international-level female handball.
The ball throwing velocity of international elite female handball
players depends on their ability to produce muscle power
at submaximal loads with the upper and lower extremities.
Address correspondence to Cristina Granados, cristina.granados@ehu.es.
27(3)/723–732
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Ó 2013 National Strength and Conditioning Association
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AND
However, in lower-level players, this depends on the level of
performance at maximal strength of the upper extremities.
KEY WORDS muscle strength, muscle power, endurance,
performance, women
INTRODUCTION
H
andball is an intermittent, high-intensity sport
played worldwide (19 million players in .150
international federations) that places heavy
emphasis on running, jumping, and throwing
(19). It requires substantial strength levels to hit, block, push,
turn, change pace and hold during games. As a result, it has
been argued that high levels of strength and muscle power
and aerobic capacity are important for successful participa-
tion in elite handball leagues (5,6).
Two studies compared anthropometric and physiological
characteristics between elite and lower-level female players.
In 1 study performed in Poland in the 1980s, Jastrzebski (13)
found that absolute peak power and work production during
a nonspecific cycling physiological test (e.g., Wingate test)
were approximately 25% higher in senior national elite than
in junior regional level female handball players. In a study
performed 8 years ago in our laboratory (6), we found that
national elite female handball players (NE, ranked fourth in
the Spanish handball championship in the last season and
qualified for the European Handball Cup [EHF] during the
on-going season) presented higher values in body height, fat-
free mass (FFM), absolute maximal strength and muscle
power output at submaximal loads during bench press, and
half-squat actions (20–40%), sprint and endurance running
performance, and throwing velocity than amateur female
handball players. In addition, upper extremity maximal
strength was associated with throwing velocity, suggesting
that handball velocity values in female handball players de-
pend more on maximal strength than on the ability to move
low loads at high velocities during elbow extension actions (6).
Six years after our first study, the same team, which
included only 3 players from the original version, reached
international world-class level because it won the Spanish
VOLUME 27 | NUMBER 3 | MARCH 2013 | 723
 Fitness Testing in World-Class Female Handball
handball championship and the EHF. It was therefore of
interest to examine if the increased competition level
observed over the years in this team was (or was not)
associated with a concomitant improvement in anthropo-
metric, physiological, or handball throwing characteristics.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate which
fitness, anthropometric, and specific throwing tests could
differentiate between international and NEs. Second, as
found in handball male and female athletes of different
levels, some muscle power values of the upper and lower
extremities could be related to handball throwing velocity. It
was also of interest, therefore, to see if the relationships
between selected upper and lower extremity maximal
strength or power production and throwing velocity pre-
viously observed in amateur and national elite female players
(6) are also observed in international elite players.
The recording of the current physical and physiological
characteristics of world-class elite female handball players
has scientific interest and direct practical applications
because it is very rare due to limited access to such subjects,
given the finite nature of the population, and because it can
offer a comprehensive picture of the upper limits of the
adaptations made during long-term training in this particular
sport. This should help to highlight the limiting factors on
a specific sport such as handball. Furthermore, the direct
practical application of the study is that this knowledge
could assist coaches to make evidence-based practice
decisions because it provides new normative physical data,
can be used for handball player selection and for profiling
players. Finally, these data can be used by national elite and
subelite handball coaches and conditioners to highlight the
demands of higher-level competitions and for the design of
training sessions, which may assist players in the transition
to elite competition.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
A comparative study was conducted to determine if
anthropometric and physical fitness parameters are different
in an elite female handball team over 2 different competitive
seasons, in both 2003 as a national elite team (NE), and in
2009 as an international elite team (IE). These groups of
handball players were tested in the same period of the
season and compared with an analysis of variance (ANOVA)
to determine if anthropometric, physical fitness and throw-
ing velocity parameters distinguished any of the groups. If
differences existed, this would tend to indicate the relative
importance of these parameters toward progress to the elite
professional level. The test-retest intraclass correlation
coefficients for the measurement of variables used in this
study were .0.91, and the coefficients of variation (CVs)
ranged from 0.9% to 7.3%.
Data were collected to test the following hypotheses.
First, we hypothesized that international elite female
handball players (IEs) should present higher values in
the TM
724 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
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absolute maximal strength and power output during bench
press and half-squat actions, sprint and endurance perfor-
mance and in throwing velocity than NEs. Second, consid-
ering that the anthropometric profile is an important
selective factor for success when passing from amateur to
national elite level in women’s handball (6), it was hypothesized
that world-class female handball players should present
higher FFM than do lower-level players. Third, as was
observed in lower-level female handball players (6,10,21),
significant correlations between maximal isometric or
dynamic strength values of the upper extremity extensor
muscles and throwing velocity should be observed in IE
and NE players.
Subjects
One national elite female handball team in 2003 (NE, n = 16;
age: 23.5 6 4 years) and the same team when it reached
the international level in 2009 (IE, n = 14; age: 27.0 6
3 years), participated in this study. Only 3 players of the
2003 team remained from the 2009 team. The test battery
was carried out in April 2003 (NE) and 2009 (IE), during
the second competitive mesocycle. The NE was considered
a national elite handball team because it finished fourth in
the Spanish handball championship in the previous season
and it qualified for the EHF during the on-going season. The
IE was considered an international elite world-class level
handball team because (a) it was the winner of the Spanish
handball championship and of EHF during the on-going
season, and (b) European nations had won all the medals
in the last 3 previous World Handball Championships.
The players underwent physical examination before
commencing the study, and each was cleared of any med-
ical disorders that might limit their full participation in
the study.
The physical characteristics of the subjects are presented
in Table 1. Some of the physical fitness and throwing veloc-
ity data of the NE team were published in longitudinal (7)
and cross-sectional studies (6).
The subjects and coaches were informed in detail about
the experimental procedures and the possible risks and
benefits of the project. Informed consent was obtained from
all the players who were familiarized with the study
procedures before actual testing. The project was approved
by the Institutional Review Committee of the Instituto
Navarro de Deporte y Juventud and carried out according
to the Declaration of Helsinki.
Procedures
Testing Schedule. The subjects were carefully familiarized with
the testing protocol, because they had been previously
assessed for training prescription purposes. All the players
were assessed on the same day, at the same time of the day,
and the tests were performed in the same order. Testing was
conducted over 3 separate sessions separated by at least 2
days. In the first session, each subject performed a sprint and
endurance running tests. In the second session, each subject
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the subjects walked back to the

TABLE 1. Physical characteristics of an NE and an IE.*
Height
Age (y) (cm) Body mass (kg) Body fat (%) Fat-free mass (kg)
NE (n = 16) 23.5 (4) 175.4 (8) 69.3 (8)
IE (n = 14) 27.0 (3)† 175.7 (6) 70.3 (8)
*NE = national elite female team; IE = an international elite female team.
†Significant difference (p , 0.05) compared with IE. Results are mean (6 SD).
was tested for anthropometrical measurements, and maximal
and explosive strength and muscle power. In the third
session, penalty and 3-step running-throwing velocities were
measured. The players were instructed to refrain from
strenuous exercise on the day before testing and to avoid
smoking and drinking alcohol, tea, and coffee on the day of
testing. They were also asked not to exercise in the 3 hours
leading up to the test and consume their normal pretraining
diet, which was standardized for each testing session. Testing
was integrated into weekly training schedules.
Anthropometry. Height (meters), weight (kilograms), body fat
(percent), and fat-free mass (kilograms) were measured in
each subject. Height and weight measurements were made
on a calibrated platform scale (Año Sayol, Barcelona, Spain)
with an accuracy of 0.01 kg and 0.001 m, respectively. Body
mass index (BMI) was calculated from body mass (BM) and
body height (kilograms per meter square). Percentage of
body fat was calculated from measurements of skinfold
thickness (12). Fat-free mass (kilograms) was calculated as
the total BM minus fat mass.
Sprint and Endurance Running Test. After a nonstandardized
15-minute warm-up period that included low-intensity running,
several acceleration runs and stretching exercises, the subjects
undertook three 15-m sprints on an indoor court separated by
90-second rest periods. During the 90-second recovery period,
starting line. The recording of
running time was done using
photocell gates (Newtest OY,
Oulu, Finland) placed 0.4 m
above the ground, with an
19.6 (5) 55.2 (4)
18.6 (4) 57.0 (6) accuracy of 0.001 seconds. The
subjects commenced the sprint
when ready from a standing
start 0.5 m behind the line.
Stance for the start was consis-
tent for each subject. The time
was automatically activated as
the subject passed the first gate at the 0-m mark and split times
were recorded at 5 and 15 m. The run with the lowest time was
selected for further analysis.
The endurance running test was performed 5 minutes
after the end of the sprints on an indoor court. Each subject
performed a 4-stage submaximal intermittent progressive
running test around the handball court (40 3 20 m), with
a 3-minute rest between each run. The running velocities for
the four stages were 8.5, 10, 11.5, and 13 km$h21. Time
for each stage was 5 minutes. To assure a constant velocity
for each running stage, subjects were instructed to run at an
even pace. They maintained their pace by listening to an
audio signal connected to a preprogramed computer (Balise
Temporelle, Bauman, Switzerland). During the test, heart
rate was recorded every 15 seconds (Sportester Polar, Kem-
pele, Finland) and averaged for the last 60 seconds of each
stage. Immediately after each exercise stage, capillary blood
samples for the determination of lactate concentrations were
obtained from hyperemic earlobe. Samples for whole blood
lactate determination (100 ml) were deproteinized, stored at
48 C, and analysed (YSI, 1500 Sport L-Lactate Analyzer,
Yellow Springs, OH, USA). The blood lactate analyzer was
calibrated after every fifth blood sample dose with 3 known
controls (5, 15, and 30 mmol$L21). Individual data points for
the exercise blood lactate values were plotted as a continuous
function against time. The exercise lactate curve was fitted

TABLE 2. Average BL concentrations and HR during the endurance running test of an NE and an IE.*

8.5 10 11.5 13
km$h21 km$h21 km$h21 km$h21

BL HR BL HR BL HR BL HR
(mmol$L21) (b$min21) (mmol$L21) (b$min21) (mmol$L21) (b$min21) (mmol$L21) (b$min21)

NE (n = 1.8 (0.5) 147 (12) 2.3 (0.7) 159 (13) 3.9 (1.5) 173 (11) 7.5 (2.3) 182 (11)
16)
IE (n = 9) 1.2 (0.2)† 133 (15)† 1.3 (0.3)† 151 (14) 2.7 (0.8)† 166 (10) 5.4 (1.7)† 175 (8)

*BL = blood lactate; HR =heart rate; NE = national elite female team; IE = international elite female team.
†Significant difference (p , 0.05) compared with IE. Results are means (6SD).

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 Fitness Testing in World-Class Female Handball
with a second degree polynomic function (Y = AX 2 + BX +
C ), X being: running velocity; Y: blood lactate concentra-
tion, and A, B, and C: the individual polynomial constants.
From this equation describing the exercise blood lactate
curve, the velocity associated with a blood lactate concen-
tration of 3 mmol$L21 (V3) was interpolated. The submaxi-
mal velocity associated with a given absolute blood lactate
concentration has been shown to be an important determi-
nant of endurance performance capacity (24).
Jumping Test. The jumping test was conducted on an indoor
court with a contact platform and consisted of 4 maximal
jumps with arms swinging (Newtest OY, Oulu, Finland). The
subjects were asked to jump as high as possible. The test
consisted of performing a maximal vertical jump with a prepa-
ratory countermovement. The subjects started from an upright
standing position on a contact platform and were allowed to
bend their knees as quickly as possible before starting to push
upward. To avoid unmeasurable work, horizontal and lateral
displacements were minimized, the subjects were instructed to
land on the contact platform in a position similar to that of
take-off. Arms could be moved freely throughout the test,
and knee angular displacement was standardized so that
the subjects were required to bend. The jumping height
was calculated from the flight time (2). Two sets of 2 maximal
jumps were recorded, interspersed with approximately
10-second rest between jumps and 90-second rest between
sets. The best reading was used for further analysis.
Maximal Strength and Muscle Power Tests. Three tests were
performed: maximal strength of the upper extremities and
power-load relationships of the arm and leg extensor
muscles. The tests were performed in a Smith machine in
which a barbell was attached to both ends, with linear
bearings on 2 vertical bars allowing only vertical movements.
Maximal strength of the upper extremity was assessed with
a 1-repetition concentric maximum bench press action
(1RMBP). Bench press (elbow extension) was chosen
because it seems most specific to the overhand throwing
technique (4). The bar was positioned 1 cm above the sub-
ject’s chest and supported by the bottom stops of the mea-
surement device. The subject was instructed to perform
a purely concentric action from the starting position, main-
taining the shoulders in a 908 abducted position to ensure
consistency of the shoulder and elbow joints throughout the
testing movement (11,17). No bouncing or arching of the
back was allowed. Warm-up consisted of a set of 5 repeti-
tions at loads of 40–60% of the perceived maximum. There-
after, 4–5 separate single attempts were performed until the
subject was unable to reach the full elbow extension. The last
acceptable extension with the highest possible load was
determined as 1RM. The rest period between attempts
was always 2 minutes.
The power-load relationship of the arm extensor muscles
was tested for the bench press, using the relative loads of 30,
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45, and 60% of 1RM BP. The power-load relationship of the
leg extensor muscles was tested for the half-squat in the
same Smith machine, using relative loads of 60, 80, 100,
and 125% of BM. In the half-squat the shoulders were in
contact with a bar and the starting knee angle was 908
(11). On command the subject performed a concentric leg
extension ascending from the flexed position to reach the full
knee extension of 1808 against the resistance determined by
the weight plates added to both ends of the bar. The trunk
was kept as straight as possible. The subjects were allowed to
use a weight training belt. Warm-up consisted of a set of 5
repetitions at loads of 40–60% of BM. In all the power meas-
urements of the arm and leg extensor muscles, the subjects
were instructed to move the loads as fast as possible. Two
testing actions were recorded and the best reading (with the
highest velocity) was taken for further analysis. The time pe-
riod of rest between each trial and set was always 1.5 minutes.
During the upper and lower extremity test actions, bar
displacement, average velocity (meters per second) and
mean power (watts) were recorded by linking a rotary
encoder to the end of the bar. The rotary encoder recorded
the position and direction of the bar with an accuracy of
0.0002 m. Customized software (JLML I+D, Madrid, Spain)
was used to calculate the power output for each repetition of
the half-squat and bench press performed over the whole
range of motion. Power curves were plotted using the aver-
age power attained over the whole range of movement as the
most representative mechanical parameter associated with
performance in the half-squat (i.e., hip, knee, and ankle joints)
and bench press (i.e., elbow and shoulder joints) exercises.
Averaged indexes of muscle power output with all
absolute loads examined were calculated separately in NE
and IE, for the bench press (with loads from 30 to 60% of
1RMBP) and half-squat (with loads from 60 to 125% of BM)
actions. For comparison purposes, the ratio between abso-
lute average power output index during bench press actions
and the absolute average power output index during half-
squat actions was calculated in each group as follows:
Ratio ¼ ðbench press average power output index
3100=half -squat average power output indexÞ:
Maximal strength and power output values were expressed
in absolute values, relative to BM and relative to BM raised to
the power of 0:67ðm0:67b Þ. This dimensional scaling was used
because it has been suggested that whole body muscular
strength measures will vary in proportion to ðmb0:67 Þ (25). In
all neuromuscular performance tests, strong verbal encour-
agement was given to each subject to motivate them to per-
form each test action as maximally and as rapidly as possible.
The reproducibility of the measurements of maximal strength
and muscle power output have showed intraclass correlation
coefficients ranging from 0.65 to 0.95, CVs between 4.7 and
7.9% and (r) from 0.57 to 0.98, respectively (11).
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mark); in the 3-step running

throw, the players were allowed
to do a preparatory run, limited
to 3 regular steps before re-
leasing the ball, behind the line
9 m from the goal. The re-
cording of throwing time was
done with an accuracy of 0.001
seconds by using 2 tripods con-
taining 5 (first tripod, range
1.49–2.10 m above the ground)
and 4 (second tripod, range
1.37–1.89 m above the ground)
vertically distributed photocells
(Newtest OY, Oulu, Finland),
placed across the flight path of
the ball, in front of the left post
of the goal. The tripods were
located 3.4 and 6.4 m from the
penalty mark. In each tripod,
Figure 1. Mean (6SD) muscle power output of the upper extremity muscles in the concentric bench press action the photocells were separated
at different loads corresponding to the 30, 45, and 60% of individual maximal 1 repetition maximum bench press by a distance that allowed 2
(RMBP), in absolute values (*p , 0.05; ***p , 0.001) for the international elite female (IE) and national elite female
(NE). photocells to be triggered si-
multaneously by the ball. To
simulate a real handball game
action, the players were told to
Handball Throwing Test. Specific explosive strength production throw to the upper right corner of the goal with maximal
was evaluated on an indoor handball court, in 2 situations: velocity and were allowed to put resin on their hands to
a standing throw (penalty throw) and a 3-step running throw. throw the ball. The time was automatically activated as
After a 10-minute warm-up, the subjects were instructed to the handball passed the photocells of the first array and
throw a handball (mass 370 g, circumference 52 cm) as fast as was stopped when the handball passed the photocells of
possible through an official goal, using one hand and their the second array. Average throwing velocity was calcu-
own technique. In the standing throw, the foot was in contact lated from the time and the distance (3 m) covered by
with the floor behind the line 7 m from the goal (penalty the ball.

Figure 2. Mean (6SD) muscle power output of the lower extremity muscles in the concentric half-squat action at different loads corresponding to the 60, 80,
100, and 125% of individual body mass, in absolute values (A), and normalized for fat-free mass (B) (*p , 0.05) for the international elite female (IE) and national
elite female (NE).

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 Fitness Testing in World-Class Female Handball

Figure 3. The relationship between the individual values of concentric power production at the load of 30% of 1 repetition maximum bench press (RMBP) (A),
and with the individual values of concentric power production at the load of 60% during the half-squat action (B) and the individual values of standing throw
velocity for the international elite female team (IE).

The coaches supervised the entire throwing test to ensure informed of their performance. The throw with the highest
that the subjects were using the right handball technique. For average ball velocity was selected for further analysis.
every type of throw, each subject performed trials until 3
correct throws were recorded, up to a maximum of 3 sets of Statistical Analyses
3 consecutive throws. A 1-2 minute rest elapsed between sets Standard statistical methods were used for the calculation of
of throws and 10–15 seconds elapsed between 2 throws of means SDs. Differences between the international elite (IE)
the same set. For motivation, athletes were immediately and national elite (NE) players for the variables measured
were evaluated using 1-way
ANOVA, with Newman-Keuls
post hoc comparisons. Pearson
product-moment correlation
coefficients (r) were used to de-
termine correlations between
throwing velocity and maximal
strength and power values. Sta-
tistical power for this study
ranged from 0.69 to 0.95 in this
study. The p # 0.05 criterion
was used for establishing statis-
tical significance.

RESULTS
Physical Characteristics
The physical characteristics of
the handball players are pre-
sented in Table 1. The IE team
had a higher age (17%, p ,
0.05) and training experience
(16 6 7 vs. 12.7 6 7 years) than
the NE team. There were no
differences in body height,
Figure 4. The relationship between the individual values of 1-repetition maximum bench press (1RMBP) and the
individual values of standing throw velocity for amateur (AF), national elite (NE) and international elite (IE) female BM, percent body fat, FFM,
handball players. and BMI (kilograms per meter
square) between the teams.
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Sprint and Endurance Running Test
No significant differences were exhibited between IE and NE
players in maximal sprint running time for 5 m (1.06 6 0.05
and 1.08 6 0.05 m$s21 for IE and NE, respectively) and 15 m
(2.57 6 0.1 and 2.61 6 0.1 m$s21 for IE and NE, respectively).
The results of endurance running test are presented in Table 2.
During the endurance running test, average blood lactate con-
centrations were lower (p , 0.05–0.01) in IE than in NE at all
running velocities tested, whereas heart rate was lower at 8.5
km$h21. Mean running velocity, which elicited a blood lactate
concentration of 3 mmol$L21 (V3), was 7% higher (p , 0.05)
in IE (11.9 km$h21) than in NE (11.1 km$h21).
Jumping Test
No difference was observed in jumping height between IE
and NE (35.1 6 3 and 37.6 6 4 cm for IE and NE,
respectively).
Maximal Strength and Muscle Power Output
The maximal 1RMBP values of 59.6 6 7.4 kg in IE were 15%
greater (p , 0.01) than those of 51.6 6 6.7 kg recorded for
NE. This difference was maintained (p , 0.01) when 1RMBP
was expressed relative to BM (0.86 6 0.11 and 0.75 6
0.09 kg$kg21, respectively) or to BM raised to the power of
0.67 (3.47 6 0.39 and 3.03 6 0.33 kg$kg20.67, respectively).
The shape of the average absolute bench press power-load
curves differed between the groups (Figure 1). At relative
loads of 30 and 45% of 1RMBP, average power output at
the upper extremities was higher (29 and 15%, respectively)
in IE (p , 0.05–0.001) than in NE. Average power output
index at loads from 30 to 60% of 1RMBP in IE (249 6 39 W)
was 16% higher (p , 0.05) than in NE (214 6 34 W). This
difference (p , 0.05) was maintained when average power
output index was expressed relative to BM (3.63 6 0.48 and
3.09 6 0.46 W$kg21, respectively) or to BM raised to the
power of 0.67 (0.88 6 0.11 and 0.75 6 0.09 W$kg20.67,
respectively). The shape of the average absolute concentric
half-squat power-load curves also differed between groups
(Figure 2A). At absolute loads of 60 and 100% of BM, average
power output of the lower extremities was higher (9% and
12%, respectively) in IE (p , 0.05–0.01) than in NE. Average
power output index at loads from 60 to 125% of BM for IE
(510 6 66 W) was 10% higher (p , 0.05) than in NE (465 6
60 W). The ratio between absolute average power output
index during bench press actions and absolute average power
output index during half-squat actions (bench press average
power output index 3 100/half-squat average power output
index) was not different between groups (49 6 7 and 44 6
7%, for IE and NE, respectively).
When muscle power output of the concentric half-squat
actions was expressed relative to BM (watts per kilogram), to
BM raised to the power of 0.67 (W$kg20.67) and to FFM
(W$kg21) the differences between IE and NE disappeared
(Figure 2B). Likewise, when average power output index at
all loads examined of half-squat actions was expressed rela-
tive to BM (7.3 6 0.8 and 6.8 6 0.7 W$kg21 for IE and NE,
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respectively), to BM raised to the power of 0.67 (1.73 6 0.31
and 1.66 6 0.19 W$kg20.67 for IE and NE, respectively) and
to FFM (8.9 6 1.0 and 8.5 6 0.9 W$kg21 for IE and NE,
respectively), the differences between the international and
national elite team disappeared.
Handball Throwing Velocity
The average handball velocity during the standing throw in
IE (20.6 6 1.8 m$s21) was similar to that of NE (20.6 6
1.3 m$s21). The average velocity of handball throwing with
3-step running was not different for IE (23.4 6 2.8 m$s21)
than for NE (21.9 6 1.4 m$s21), although it approached
statistical significance (p = 0.085). In both teams, the average
handball velocity with a 3-step running throw was higher
(13 and 6%; p , 0.001 for IE and NE, respectively) than in
the standing throw.
Relationships Between Strength and Throwing Velocity
In the IE, the individual standing throw velocity values
correlated significantly with the individual values of concen-
tric power production at 30% of 1RMBP load (r = 0.72, p ,
0.05, n = 9) (Figure 3A), and with the individual values of
concentric power production at the load of 60 and 80% of
BM (from 0.59 to 0.71, p , 0.05, n = 12) during the half-
squat action (Figure 3B).
DISCUSSION
To our knowledge, this is the first study that measured
anthropometric, jumping, running speed, throwing velocity,
and endurance characteristics of a national-class female team
that compared to the same team when it was successful at
international level 6 years after. The results indicate that,
compared to NE, IE players showed 15–29% higher values
of absolute maximal strength and power of the upper and
lower extremities during bench press and half-squat actions
and 7% higher values in running endurance. No differences
were observed in anthropometric, jumping, running speed,
or throwing velocity between the 2 groups. These differences
were much less pronounced than those previously observed
between national elite and amateur female handball players
(e.g., 40% in 1RMBP and 14% in running endurance) (6).
One hypothesis of this study was that IEs should present
higher values of absolute maximal strength than national-
level players (NE). The major finding that emerged from this
study confirmed this hypothesis because absolute maximal
strength and power of the upper and lower extremity
muscles during bench press and half-squat actions were
15–29% higher in IE than in NE. Similar or even higher
strength and power differences have been observed between
international elite and amateur male handball players (5) or
between national elite and amateur female handball players
(6). The differences observed in this study between NE and
IE indicate that high absolute values of maximal strength
and muscle power are also required for successful perfor-
mance when passing from national to international level in
VOLUME 27 | NUMBER 3 | MARCH 2013 | 729
 Fitness Testing in World-Class Female Handball
women’s handball. The ability to exert higher maximal mus-
cle force and power compared with NE will give IE a clear
advantage, as many of the handball skills such as hitting,
blocking, pushing, holding and competing for position
require superior absolute strength and muscle power. These
significant differences observed in maximal strength and
power characteristics between international- and national-
level players provide new normative strength and power
data for this population, demonstrate the need to consider
these physical attributes when identifying potentially
talented players and can be used by handball coaches to
design training methods aimed at achieving the required
levels of maximal strength and power in women’s handball.
When muscle power output during half-squat at sub-
maximal loads was expressed relative to BM, to BM raised to
the power of 0.67, or to FFM, the differences observed
between IE and NE in their ability to move different relative
loads disappeared. Similar findings were observed between
international elite and amateur male handball players in the
70s and 80s (1,16) and in the last decade (5), and between
national elite and amateur female handball players (6). This
also concurs with results observed in jumping and sprint
running, indicating that the mechanical power expressed
relative to BM developed by IEs during jumping and sprint
running is similar to that observed in national elite female
players. This suggests that neural activation patterns and
twitch tension per muscle mass under submaximal concen-
tric half-squat actions are rather similar in international and
national elite female players. Further, this strengthens the
notion that differences in muscle power in female handball
players are mainly based on difference in muscle bulk (21).
Correlations between power-load curves and handball
throwing velocity were also examined in this study. Results
of correlation analysis showed significant correlations for IE,
but not for NE, between velocity values during standing
throws and power values at 30% of 1RMBP and power values
at 60% of BM during half-squat actions. This indicates ball
velocities for an international-level female handball team in
a standing throw depend more on the capability of the upper
and lower extremity to produce maximal power outputs
with submaximal loads than for national-class female hand-
ball players. The relationship between the capacity to move
low loads at maximal velocities or power production with
upper (4,5,15) and lower (5) body segments has been pre-
viously observed in international elite male handball players
(5) but not in lower-level male (5) or female handball players
(6,7). Lower technique or capacity to coordinate the pro-
gression of limb segmental motion from proximal to distal
during throwing (5,9,15,22,23) could explain the absence of
relationships observed in lower-level players between muscle
power output at lower loads and ball throwing velocity. The
present correlations suggest traditional resistance programs
that induce improvements in muscle velocity and power
during submaximal-load bench press and parallel squat
actions should be reflected in enhanced handball throwing
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730 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
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velocity (7,10). These traditional resistance programs could
be combined with specific overload throwing exercises using
variable weighted handballs (20,23), or core stability training
programs (18) that improve handball throwing velocity.
Previous studies performed with non world-class female
handball players have shown throwing velocity is correlated to
maximal isometric (21) and dynamic (6) strength values of the
upper extremity extensor muscles. Based on these studies, we
hypothesized that significant correlations between maximal
dynamic strength values of the upper extremity extensor
muscles and throwing velocity should also be observed in IE
players. However, an unexpected finding in this study was that
no relationships were observed between maximal bench press
strength (1RMBP) and throwing velocity in IE and NE. The
results of this study, and of a recently published study (6) per-
formed in our laboratory with amateur female handball players,
can explain this apparent discrepancy. This is illustrated in
Figure 4, where the individual values of standing throw velocity
in those groups of female handball players are correlated to
their 1RMBP values. In this figure, AF corresponds to a group
of amateur female handball players playing in the Spanish
National Second Division League. Thus, although the whole
group of player’s 1RMBP values correlated with standing throw
velocity values (r = 0.77, p , 0.01), the relationship was only
significant among the amateurs (r = 0.69, p , 0.05). This seems
to indicate that, for 1RMBP values ranging from 30 to approx-
imately 50 kg, throwing velocity is linearly related to the
increase in 1RMBP. This is in agreement with findings observed
in female handball players with average 1RMBP values lower
than 50 kg where an increase in 1RMBP after a high-intensity
resistance training program was associated with an increase in
handball throwing velocity (6,10). This suggests that maximal
elbow extensors strength is an important factor in attaining
high ball velocities during overarm throws in female handball
players whose 1RMBP values are ,approximately 50 kg. How-
ever, Figure 4 also shows that when 1RMBP values exceeded
approximately 50 kg, as happens in all IE players, the level of
maximal strength performance may not be necessarily related
to the ability to throw the ball at high velocities. The finding of
different relationships between throwing velocity and maximal
strength and power of the upper and lower extremity muscles
in IE, compared with NE or lower-level players, raises the
question of the appropriate strength training stimulus required
to elicit improvements in throwing velocity in female handball
sports of different levels (8).
It has been shown that the running velocity associated
with a given submaximal blood lactate concentration is an
accurate predictor of aerobic capacity (3). One of the find-
ings of this study is that the average running velocity asso-
ciated with a blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol$L21
(V3) was 7% higher in IE than in NE. This agrees with pre-
vious studies performed with Norwegian (10,14) and Span-
ish female handball players (6), which showed that average
maximal aerobic power (V̇ O2max) was 10% higher at inter-
national elite than at second division level (10,14), whereas

(V3) was 14% higher in national elite than in amateur players
(6). The differences of this study between international and
national elite female players suggest that, besides having
high absolute maximal strength and muscle power values,
high aerobic capacities are also required for the successful
transition from national to international-level women’s
handball. These observations strongly suggest that improve-
ments in the level of play in women’s handball include
optimizing endurance capacity. However, careful attention
should be given to the full handball training program to
avoid the negative interference effects observed in handball
teams when carrying out similar concurrent aerobic and
resistance training programs (5).
In summary, this study shows that IEs present higher
values in 1RMBP, average absolute muscle power output at
submaximal loads during bench press and half-squat actions,
and in endurance running performance. Differences in FFM
could account on their own for the discrepancies in absolute
muscle power observed between groups and can explain how
mechanical power expressed relative to BM or of FFM
developed during half-squat, vertical jumping and sprint run-
ning are similar in both groups. The higher absolute levels of
maximal strength and muscle power compared with NE will,
however, give IE a clear advantage as many of the handball
skills require superior absolute strength and muscle power.
As opposed to lower-level female handball players, the ball
throwing velocity of IEs depends more on the capacity to
produce muscle power at submaximal loads with the upper
and lower extremities than on the level of performance at
maximal strength. This is probably due to the higher maxi-
mal strength values observed at international level.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
This study has practical importance, because it shows that
(a) higher absolute maximal strength and muscle power, and
endurance capacity, are required in women’s handball when
passing from national to international level, and (b) throwing
velocity in international-level female handball players
depends more on the capabilities of the upper and lower
extremity to produce maximal power with submaximal loads
than in lower-level female handball players. These significant
differences observed between international and national-
level female players provide new normative strength, power,
and endurance capacity data for these populations and can
contribute to talent selection and identification. Women’s
handball coaches should apply strength and endurance con-
ditioning exercises and evaluate players accordingly, so that
they may receive appropriate training stimuli to match the
physiological demands of their level of competition.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study was supported by grants from the Instituto
Navarro del Deporte, Gobierno de Navarra. No authors
listed in conjunction with this manuscript submission
demonstrate any form of conflict of interest, be financial or
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
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otherwise. The results of this study do not constitute
endorsement of the product by the authors or the National
Strength and Conditioning Association. No known conflicts
of interest associated with this publication, and there has
been no significant financial support for this work that could
have influenced its outcome.
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