Resumen de Direct Validity of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test in Young Team Handball Players
Souhail Hermassi, Carlo Castagna, Mohamed Haj Yahmed, Hachana Younes, Karim Chamari
The aim of this study was to examine the possible association between Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 performance (distance covered, Yo-Yo IR1) and match activities (direct validity) in young male team handball players. Eighteen young male players (age 14.3 ± 0.5 years, body mass 64 ± 28.7 kg, height 174 ± 6 cm, body fat 11.2 ± 3.9%) took part in this study. Players' match activities were videotaped during an experimental tournament (6 games/player) and analyzed using a computerized system. Games and Yo-Yo IR1 heart rates (HRs) (short-range telemetry, HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([la]b) were assessed throughout and at selected times of the games, respectively. Peak Yo-Yo IR1 HR was assumed as representative of individual maximal HR (HRmax). Mean and peak game HRs were 174 ± 3 and 198 ± 2 b·min-1, which corresponded to 87 and 99% of HRmax, respectively. Yo-Yo IR1 performance (1,831 ± 373 m) was significantly related (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) to total game distance (1,921 ± 325 m). Post-game (9.2 ± 2.3 mmol·L-1) and Yo-Yo IR1 (8.8 ± 1.6 mmol·L-1) [la]b were significantly related (r = 0.51, p < 0.05). These findings demonstrated the direct validity of Yo-Yo IR1. Consequently, Yo-Yo IR1 test may be considered as a team handball test relevant for the assessment of intermittent high-intensity endurance in young male team handball players.
