As part of a research project supported by the BiSP MotLeistSand, over the weekend 12th and 13th of February, a small team from the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise completed a physical performance diagnostic with the Beach Handball males of the DHB, at Blue Beach in Witten.

The diagnostics was split into two days. Day one was set for Jumping analysis, whilst day two focused on maximal speed and high intensity fatigue resistance testing. Importantly, this testing session was completed in ecologically valid settings using non-laboratory-based measures. This was conducted to better replicate what can be performed in practice.

The jumping day consisted of multiple different forms of jumping to have a greater holistic overview of the athlete’s performance. These included: counter movement jumps, drop jumps, horizontal jump for distance and a sport specific jump.

The high-speed day started with a 15m linear sprint, assessing acceleration and peak speeds. Next, the players had to complete a change of direction deficit test, this assessed their overall capacity to change direction by comparing their top 15m time against a 15 m course with a 180 degree turn after 10 m. Finally, the players performed a Repeated Sprint Ability Test, whereby the athletes had to complete 8 15m sprints with 7 s interspersed between each effort, all conducted at 100% ability.

The data collection marked a successful moment in the return in the collaboration with the sand athletes when all the outcomes formulated on health recommendations are effectively followed.