Analysis of heart rate in female beach handball players

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the intensity of competitive effort by measuring heart rate during beach handball in female players. We used a sample of six players belonging at the same team. Material and methods: During the course of 13 national level category matches, heart rate was recorded for all players by telemetry in periods of 5 seconds. Results: The average heart rates recorded in the first half was 149.94 +/- 11.96 bpm representing 80% reference HRmax (Heart Rate maximum) with a minimum of 113.20 +/- 13.65 bpm and maximum 172.16 +/- 9.97 bpm, while in the second half it was 156.08 +/- 11.43 bpm representing 83% reference HRmax, with a minimum 125.16 +/- 14.99 bpm and maximum of 175.94 +/- 8.94 bpm. Following the classification of intensity of physical activity proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) we registered that 41.57 +/- 19.7% was defined as vigorous activity during the activity time in first half and 26.1 +/- 26.5% as very vigorous; while in the second half the percentage of moderate activity was reduced as the percentage of very vigorous activity increased to 40.8 +/- 25.5%. Conclusion: The results suggest that the practice of beach handball is a vigorous and very vigorous activity in the 70% of the total activity time. Heart rates were maintained between 150 and 157 bpm, representing 80-83% reference HRmax. (C) 2010 Consell Catal de l'Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.