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This experiment examined physical activity (PA), sitting time, and satisfaction with life (SL) in European (45%) and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA; 55%) handball players (n = 418; age: 25.6 ± 6.8 years; body mass: 88.1 ± 11.7 kg; height: 1.83 ± 0.08 m) during the coronavirus (COVID)-19 pandemic. The International Physical Activity (IPAQ) and Satisfaction of Life (LS) Questionnaires were administered. All PA variables (vigorous, moderate, walking, total PA) were negatively influenced, but no interaction effects (IE; region x time) were observed. Sitting time increased from 2.5 to 4.9 h∙weekday−1 (ηp2 = 0.80) and walking time decreased from 66.8 to 33.5 min∙day−1 (ηp2 = 0.83). Based on effect sizes (d), pre- to during-confinement reductions were similar between regions (MENA: d = 3.29; Europe: d = 3.41; IE: ηp2 = 0.01). The largest regional difference was in moderate PA (MENA: d = 1.88; Europe: d = 2.99; IE: ηp2 = 0.09). SL in the total sample reduced from 30.6 ± 2.02 to 13.9 ± 2.20 arbitrary units (AU). SL reduction was similar in both regions (dMENA = 8.44; dEUROPE = 8.06; IE: ηp2 = 0.01). To conclude, PA decreased during COVID-19 confinement, sitting time increased, and SL decreased irrespective of geographical region. These preliminary findings highlight risk of SL and physical inactivity during COVID-19 restrictions in 2021.

This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of twice-weekly combined plyometric and sprint with change-of-direction (CPSCoD) training into habitual training regimes of young male soccer players. Participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 17, age: 14.6 ± 0.44 years, body mass: 61.2 ± 7.34 kg, height: 1.67 ± 0.09 m, body fat: 11.2 ± 1.56%) and a control group (n = 16, age: 14.6 ± 0.39 years, body mass: 61.1 ± 3.96 kg, height: 1.67 ± 0.05 m, body fat: 11.8 ± 1.47%). Measures obtained pre- and post intervention included vertical and horizontal jump performance (i.e., squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and standing long jump (SLJ)), and sprint performance (i.e., 5 m and 20 m sprint). In addition, Measures obtained pre- and post-intervention included change-of-direction ability (4 × 5 m sprint test (S 4 × 5 m) and sprint 9–3–6–3–9 m with backward and forward running (SBF)), repeated change of direction (RCoD), and static balance performance (stork balance test). The training group experienced superior jump (all p &lt, 0.05, d ≥ 0.61), sprint (all p &lt, d ≥ 0.58), change-of-direction (CoD) ability (all p &lt, d ≥ 0.58), RCoD (all parameters except the fatigue index p &lt, 0.01, effect size (d) ≥ 0.71), and static balance (all p &lt, d ≥ 0.66) improvement. Adding twice-weekly CPSCoD training to standard training improves the anaerobic performance of U15 male soccer players.

This study investigated differences in physical fitness and academic attainment in obese and non-obese adolescent handball players. A total of 31 males (age: 15.5 ± 1.2 years, body mass: 77.8 ± 17.7 kg, height: 1.71 ± 0.10 m, body mass index (BMI): 26.8 ± 6.9 kg/m2, body fat: 26.4 ± 6.34%) from the Qatar handball first division participated and were divided into two body fat percentage (%BF) groups (i.e., obese or non-obese). Anthropometrics (height, mass, BMI, and %BF) and physical performance testing ability (T-half test for change-of-direction (COD), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 10 and 15 m sprints, medicine ball throw (MBT), and aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1)) were determined. Academic attainment was determined through grade point averages (GPA). Non-obese participants had superior performances in mathematics (p &lt, 0.001) and science (p = 0.013), agility T-half test (p = 0.001), CMJ (p &lt, 0.001), and 15 m sprint (p = 0.019). Correlations were found between T-half test and mathematics (r = 0.500) and science (r = 0.484). To conclude, obese school-age handball players have poorer fitness and academic performances than normal body weight adolescents.

This study aimed to compare 10-to-12-year-old Qatari male athletes and assess body fat, body mass index, and physical fitness, as well as the difference of these measures between ages. Thirty-five youth handball players volunteered for the investigation and were divided into three groups: 12-year-old players (U12, n = 12), 11-year-old players (U11, n = 11), 10-year-old players (U10, n = 12). Anthropometry was assessed by body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), and body mass index (BMI). Measurements included the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), jumping ability (squat and countermovement jumps (SJ and CMJ, respectively)), and sprint tests (10 and 15 m). The power of the upper extremity was measured by a 2-kg overhead medicine ball throw for distance. Except for %BF (p = 0.387) and BMI (p = 0.070), all anthropometric and demographic parameters were different between age groups. The largest differences were found for body mass (p = 0.007) and body height (p = 0.008). Regarding fitness parameters, only the medicine ball throw (p = 0.022) was different between age groups (U10 vs. U12: p = 0.009, U11 vs. U12: p = 0.048). There was no difference between groups for jumping (CMJ: p = 0.586, SJ: p = 0.377), sprinting (10 m: p = 0.211, 15 m: p = 0.194) and Yo-Yo IR1 (p = 0.228). Body fat was the anthropometric parameter with the strongest relationship with physical performance in that lower body fat was related to superior jumping performance and sprint performance. In conclusion, except for %BF and BMI, all anthropometric parameters were different between U10, U11, and U12 handball players. For physical parameters, jumping, sprinting, and endurance performance were not different between age groups. From a practical perspective, coaches can use these findings as reference for the evaluation of their school-aged handball players, as well as for establishing performance goals.