SOMATIC MODEL AND PERFORMANCE AGE IN ELITE HANDBALL (STUDY CASE: MALE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL FOUR 2012)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to identify the somatic model and the performance age in elite handball, which is based on a study case that involves top handball players participants in Champions League Final Four 2012. For all the game playing posts we could notice that the values for height, weight and ratio of height – weight are close. These values clearly indicate the increasing weight of the handball players, fact that can be most plausibly explained by an increased muscle development. We can conclude that the optimum period for top handball performances is between 25 and 35 years, this period could be extended with 2-3 years for goalkeepers. This was a transversal study and in order to confirm the obtained data it’s necessary a longitudinal study for a period of at least ten years (2003-2012) that includes the most important handball competitions for male for club and national teams.