Acute physiological responses to simulated games with different defensive formations in team handball: 6:0 vs. man-to-man

Background and Aim: Although 6:0 and man-to-man defensive formations in team handball (TH) are widely used, there is little information with regard to their physiological impact. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the acute effect of two simulated games, one using 6:0 and the other man-to-man, on measures of neuromuscular performance in young TH players.Methods: Eleven TH field players (experience 4.3 ± 0.7 years, training 6.5 ± 1.6 h/week, age 15.1 ± 1.0 years, body mass 73.7 ± 9.7 kg, stature 177 ± 7 cm), all members of an academy of a first league club, played two 20-min simulated matches (separated by 2 weeks). They were tested before and after each match for handgrip strength (HS), squat jump (SJ) and 20-m sprint (0–10 m and 10–20 split time). Two-way ([prematch vs. postmatch] × [6:0 formation vs. man-to-man formation]) repeated measures analysis of variance examined differences.Results: We observed main effect of match on HS, 20 m sprint and 0–10 split time (P ≤ 0.037, η2 ≥ 0.37), and of formation on 20 m sprint and 0–10 split time (P ≤ 0.002, η2 ≥ 0.65). In addition, there was a significant interaction between match and defense formation on SJ and 20 m sprint (P ≤ 0.047, η2 ≥ 0.34). The formation 6:0 and man-to-man resulted in similar mean (179.8 ± 7.2 vs. 180.0 ± 7.0 bpm) and peak heart rate (193.7 ± 4.6 vs. 196.0 ± 8.8 bpm).Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the choice of a defensive formation in TH may result in different physiological responses that are associated with neuromuscular performance. Knowledge about the physiological impact of each formation can help coaches to optimize the use of the various formations during the game and to use them during training in order to elicit different physiological responses.