Affiliations: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Susana M. Gil, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, E-48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain. Tel.: +34 94 601 29 58; Fax: +34 94 601 56 52; E-mail: susana.gil@ehu.eus.ORCIDN:0000-0003-0596-7627
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In countries where water polo is a minority sport, coaches often recruit young players to senior teams. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether young water polo players are ready to train and play with older players from a physical and strength perspective. METHODS: Forty-four adolescent and senior water polo players (20 women and 24 men) were evaluated on full anthropometry, absolute and relative isokinetic muscle strength of shoulder internal and external rotator muscles (60 and 240∘/s) and hand grip strength. RESULTS: The strength of the internal rotators was significantly greater than that of the external rotators in both sexes and age groups. Senior male players had significantly higher values for variables related to body size and absolute strength in these muscle groups compared to their adolescent counterparts but these differences were not observed among women. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent female players but not male players may be physically prepared to compete and train with senior teams.
Keywords: Team sport, body size, adolescence, strength training, performance
