Abstract

FERRAGUT, C; VILA, H; FERNANDEZ-ROMERO, JJ  and  SAAVEDRA-GARCIA, MA. Relative age effect in Spanish elite of female handball and its relationship with anthropometry, physical performance and throwing speed. CPD [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.2, pp.213-226.  Epub May 16, 2022. ISSN 1989-5879.

Relative age effect (RAE) is an aspect of relevance in sport in general and in handball in particular. It has been the subject of a great number of studies focused largely on men's sport. RAE studies in female handball are not so numerous, and do not clarify the effect of female handball on this sport. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the effect of RAE on élite handball players, as well as to assess this effect based on anthropometric variables, physical fitness and technical and tactical skills (throwing speed). 136 handball players from the first eight honour division teams have been assessed. RAE has been found (with chi-square test) in the handball players supported by those included in national teams. No RAE were found on anthropometric variables, nor on throwing speed with and without interaction. Laterality and Squat Juam presented RAE. RAE is important to reach the national team, but to play in the highest category the effect of relative age seems to lose weight Further studies on the effect of RAE on women's handball are needed.

Keywords : Relative age effect; performance; anthropometric; throwing speed; national team.

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