Effect of Nested Task Constraints on Movement Velocity, Throwing Velocity and Accuracy in Elite Handball Players

Behavioral studies in team sports is typically constrained by dynamic factors, such as positioning of defenders for interception. In this study were captured data from the movement velocity with high speed camera, throwing velocity with sports radar gun and throwing accuracy of 12 elite handball players under defensive constraints (defender- absent, defender-far, defender-near, and defender pairing). ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test was used to analyze effects of these constraints on gait and throwing parameters (P<0.05). The results revealed significant differences in overall mean horizontal velocity (F(1.335,14.682) = 8.680, P = 0.007 ) and mean ball velocity ( F(3,33) = 12.733, P = 0.000 ) but there was no significant differences in mean ball accuracy ( F(3,33) = 0.400 , P = 0.754 ). When defender was closer to the attacker, mean movement velocity and throwing velocity was shown more decrease. Since regulation of offensive players was continuous and based on perception of current and required behaviors, results supported from perception-action coupling and prospective control models. Also, findings suggest that the technical aspects of the running and throwing in handball can affect by nested tasks constraints.