Water polo throwing speed and body compositionan analysis by playing positions and opposition level

  1. Ferragut Fiol, Carmen
  2. Abraldes Valeiras, José Arturo
  3. Manchado López, Carmen
  4. Vila Suárez, Helena
Journal:
Journal of Human Sport and Exercise: JHSE

ISSN: 1988-5202

Year of publication: 2015

Volume: 10

Issue: 1

Pages: 81-94

Type: Article

DOI: 10.14198/JHSE.2015.101.07 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openRUA editor

More publications in: Journal of Human Sport and Exercise: JHSE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an anthropometric profile on highly skilled male water polo players by specific playing positions. Also, to identify significant relationships between these features an overhead throwing speed in highly skilled male Water Polo players by specific playing positions. Methods: A total of 94 male water polo players (24.5±5.3 yrs) who were playing in the Spanish King´s cup were studied. Subjects were grouped according to their specific playing positions: 15 goalkeepers, 45 offensive wings, 20 center backs and 14 center forwards. Anthropometric assessment was made following ISAK protocols. Hand grip and throwing speed in several situations were also assessed. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed among the four playing positions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the relationships of all anthropometric measures with throwing speed and hand grip. The total player's somatotype was endomorphic-mesomorphic (2.9-5.8-2.3). Center forwards exhibit important anthropometric differences compared with the other specific playing positions in elite male water polo players, but no differences were found in throwing speed by specific playing positions in each throwing conditions. Moreover, a higher number of relationships between anthropometric and throwing speed were found in wings and also in center backs but no relationships were found in center forwards. The data reflects the importance of muscle mass and upper body in the throwing skill. Coaches can use this information in order to select players for the different specific positions.

Bibliographic References

  • Andreoli, A., Melchiorri, G., Volpe, S.L., Sardella, F., Iacopino, L., & De Lorenzo, A. (2004). Multicompartment model to assess body composition in professional water polo players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 44(1), pp.38-43.
  • Bayios, I.A., Bergeles, N.K., Apostolidis, N.G., Noutsos, K.S., & Koskolou, M.D. (2006). Anthropometric, body composition and somatotype differences of Greek elite female basketball, volleyball and handball players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 46(2), pp.271-280.
  • Bloomfield, J., Blanksby, B.A., Ackland, T.R., & Allison, G.T. (1990). The influence of strength training on overhead throwing velocity of elite water polo players. Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22(3), pp.63-67.
  • Can, F., Yilmaz, I., & Erden, Z. (2004). Morphological characteristics and performance variables of women soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(3), pp.480-485.
  • Carter, J.E., & Heath, B.H. (1990). Somatotiping-development and applications. London: Cambridge University Press.
  • De Garay, A., Levine, L., & Carter, J. (1974). Genetic and anthropological studies of Olympic athletes. New York: Academic Press.
  • Dopsaj, M., & Alesksandrovic, M. (2009). Basic anthropomorphological characteristics of elite senior Serbian water polo players according to field position. International Journal Fitness, 5(2), pp.47-57.
  • Elliott, B.C., & Armour, J. (1988). The penalty throw in water polo: a cinematographic analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 6(2), pp.103-114.
  • Feltner, M. & Nelson, S. (1996). Three-dimensional kinematics of the throwing arm during the penalty throw in water polo. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 12, pp.359-382.
  • Feltner, M.E., & Taylor, G. (1997). Three-dimensional kinetics of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist during a penalty throw in water polo. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 13(3), pp.347-372.
  • Ferragut, C., Alcaraz, P.E., Vila, H., Abraldes, J.A. & Rodriguez, N. (2010). Evaluation of the validity of radar for measuring throwing velocities in water polo. Paper presented at the Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming XI, Oslo.
  • Ferragut, C., Vila, H., Abraldes, J.A., Argudo, F.M., Rodrígez, N., & Alcaraz, P.E. (2011). Relationship among maximal grip, throwing velocity and anthropometric parameters in elite water polo players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 1(51), pp.26-32.
  • Geladas, N., & Platanou, T. (2000). Energy demands in elite water polo players participating in games of different duration. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, pp.501-501.
  • Hoff, J., & Almasbakk, B. (1995). The effects of maximum strength training on throwing velocity and muscle strength in female team-handball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 9(4), pp.255-258.
  • Hohmann, A., & Frase, R. (1992). Analysis of swimming speed and energy metabolism in competitive water polo games. In T. Reilly, T. Lees & A. MaClaren (Eds.), Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming VI. London: E & FN SPON.
  • Kramer, C.Y. (1956). Extension of multiple range test to group means with unequal numbers of replications. Biometrics, 12(3), pp.307-310.
  • Lozovina, M., Durovic, N., & Katic, R. (2009). Position specific morphological characteristics of elite water polo players. Collegium Antropologicum, 33(3), pp.781-789.
  • Lozovina, V., & Pavicic, L. (2004). Anthropometric changes in elite male water polo players: survey in 1980 and 1995. Croatian Medical Journal, 45(2), pp.202-205.
  • Lupo, C., Tessitore, A., Minganti, C., & Capranica, L. (2010). Notational analysis of elite and subelite water polo matches. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(1), pp.223-229.
  • McCluskey, L., Lynskey, S., Leung, C.K., Woodhouse, D., Briffa, K., & Hopper, D. (2010). Throwing velocity and jump height in female water polo players: performance predictors. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(2), pp.236-240.
  • McMaster, W.C., Long, S.C., & Caiozzo, V.J. (1990). Isokinetic torque imbalances in the rotator cuffof the elite water polo player. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 19(1), pp.72-75.
  • Melchiorri, G., Padua, E., Padulo, J., D'Ottavio, S., Campagna, S., & Bonifazi, M. (2010). Throwing velocity and kinematics in elite male water polo players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 51(4), pp.541-546.
  • Mészáros, J., Soliman, Y., Othman, M., & Mohácsi, J. (1998). Body composition and peak aerobic power in international level Hungarian athletes. Facta Universitatis Series Physical Education 1(5), pp.21-27.
  • Mujika, I., McFadden, G., Hubbard, M., Royal, K., & Hahn, A. (2006). The water-polo intermittent shuttle test: a match-fitness test for water-polo players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1(1), pp.27-39.
  • Norton, K., & Olds, T. (2001). Morphological evolution of athletes over the 20th century: causes and consequences. Sports Medicine, 31(11), pp.763-783.
  • Pavlik, G., Kemeny, D., Kneffel, Z., Petrekanits, M., Horvath, P., & Sido, Z. (2005). Echocardiographic data in hungarian top-level water polo players. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(2), pp.323-328.
  • Platanou, T. (2005). On-water and dryland vertical jump in water polo players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 45(1), pp.26-31.
  • Platanou, T., & Geladas, N. (2006). The influence of game duration and playing position on intensity of exercise during match-play in elite water polo players. Journal of Sports Science 24(11), pp.1173-1181.
  • Rodriguez, F., & Iglesias, X. (2000). Cardiorespiratory demands and estimates energy cost in water polo games. Journal of Sport Science, 18, pp.506-507.
  • Smith, H.K. (1998). Applied physiology of water polo. Sports Medicine, 26(5), pp.317-334.
  • Stewart, A., Marfell-Jones, M., Olds, T. & Ridden, H. (2011). International Standards for anthropometric assessment. New Zealand: Lower Hutt.
  • Tan, F.H., Polglaze, T., Dawson, B., & Cox, G. (2009). Anthropometric and fitness characteristics of elite Australian female water polo players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(5), pp.1530-1536.
  • Tsekouras, Y.E., Kavouras, S.A., Campagna, A., Kotsis, Y.P., Syntosi, S.S., & Papazoglou, K. (2005). The anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of elite water polo players. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 95(1), pp.35-41.
  • Van den Tillaar, R. (2004). Effect of different training programs on the velocity of overarm throwing: a brief review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(2), pp.388-396.
  • Van der Wende, K. (2005). The effects of game-specific task constraints on the outcome of the water polo shot. Auckland University of Technology, New Zeland.
  • Vila, H., Ferragut, C., Argudo, F.M., Abraldes, J.A., Rodrígez, N., & Alacid, F. (2009). Relationship between anthropometric parameters and throwing velocity in water polo players. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 4(1), pp.62-74.
  • Visnapuu, M., & Jurimae, T. (2007). Handgrip strength and hand dimensions in young handball and basketball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(3), pp.923-929.
  • Wallace, M.B. & Cardinale, M. (1997). Conditioning for team handball. Strength & Conditioning 19(6), pp.7-12.
  • Whiting, W.C., Puffer, J.C., Finerman, G.A., Gregor, R.J., & Maletis, G. B. (1985). Threedimensional cinematographic analysis of water polo throwing in elite performers. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 13(2), pp.95-98.
  • WHO. (1995). The use and interpretation of anthropometry physical status. Geneva: World Health organization.
Data source: Dialnet