Age differences in selected measures of physical fitness in young handball players.

ObjectiveThe aims of the present study were: 1) to calculate the change of direction (COD) deficit (using a modified version of the 505 test and 10 m sprint time), and (2) to examine the differences in linear sprint, jump and COD performances, as well as COD deficit, between under-13 (U13) and under-15 (U15) male handball players.MethodsOne hundred and nineteen young male handball players (under-13 [U13; n = 82] and under-15 [U15; n = 37]). Tests included anthropometric measurements, countermovement jump (CMJ), triple leg-hop for distance, linear sprint test (5, 10 and 20 m), and a modified version of the 505 COD test.ResultsResults showed moderate to very large differences (P 0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggest that during the transition from pre- to post-puberty, young handball players should focus on transferring their progressive improvements in strength, speed, and power capacities to COD performance