Abstract

The research aim was to estimate fitness of the players of Lithuanian national women handball team (LNWHT). For the evaluation task the selected variables of LNWHT players of different positions were compared with fitness of elite players of Norway (European champions 2008) and other selections (Greece, teams of Asian continent). The height of LNWHT players was 175.4 ± 5.4 cm, the highest were pivot players (182 cm), the wing players were lowest (169.5 ± 0.7). Players of LNWHT were 3.6 cm lower than Norway players in average. Body mass of players was 66.91 ± 8.97 kg in average, but less in 5.1 kg compared to Norway players. BMI of LNWHT players was 21.66 ± 1.79 in average, the highest of pivot player (24.8), the lowest of wings ones (19.8 ± 0.3). The speed in 20 m of LNWHT players was 3.35 ± 0.17 s in average, but in 0.15 s less than Norwegian players. The fastest were back court players (3.19 ± 0.13), but wing players were the fastest in 10 m run (1.82 ± 0.07). The best results in squat jump showed wing players (31.6 ± 4 cm), when in average players performed 28.94 ± 2.2 cm. Results of Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test (1 level) were 616 ± 145 meters in average and lactate amount of 12 ± 2 mmol/l while heart rate were 184 ± 4,7 b/min on average. We conclude that body composition of LNWHT would be advantage to compete vs Greece or Asian selections but shortage vs elite Norwegian team. LNWHT would have lack in speed of players but advantage in power of leg muscles, which is of high importance in handball. Verf.-Referat