Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of elite water polo players

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to examine the physical and physiological demands of water polo, we assessed the profile of elite water polo players. Nineteen male professional water polo players (age: 25.5±5.0 years, height: 184.5±4.3 cm body mass: 90.7±6.4 kg) underwent body composition assessment by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also evaluated peak oxygen consumption V̇O2peak, lactate threshold (LT), energy cost of swimming (Cs), anaerobic capacity and isokinetic shoulder strength. Body fat (%) was 16.8±4.4, lean mass (LM) 75.1±4.9 kg and bone mineral density (BMD) 1.37±0.07 g·cm−2 . V̇O2peak was 57.9±7 ml·kg−1· min−1 . LT was identified at 3.9±0.7 mmol·l−1 at a swimming velocity (v) of 1.33±0.05 m·s−1 with a heart rate of 154±7 bpm, corresponding to an intensity of 83±9 of V̇O2peak. The average Cs of swimming at the LT was 1.08±0.04 kJ·m−1 . Cs at LT was correlated to body mass index (BMI) (r=0.22, P=0.04) and to swimming performance at 400 m (r=0.86, P=0.01) and 4×50 m (r=0.84, P<0.01). Internal rotator muscles were stronger compared to the external rotators by a 2:1 ratio. This study provides a quantitative representation of both physical and physiological demands of water polo and proposes a comprehensive battery of tests that can be used for assessing the status of a team.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andreoli A, Monteleone M, Van Loan M, Promenzio L, Tarantino U, De Lorenzo A (2001) Effects of different sports on bone density and muscle mass in highly trained athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:507–511

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop D (2001) Evaluation of the Accusport lactate analyser. Int J Sports Med 22:525–530

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bloomfield J, Blanksby BA, Ackland T (1990) The influence of strength training on overhead throwing velocity of elite water polo players. Aus J Sci Med Sport 22:63–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogdanis GC, Nevill ME, Boobis LH, Lakomy HK (1996) Contribution of phosphocreatine and aerobic metabolism to energy supply during repeated sprint exercise. J Appl Physiol 80:876–884

    Google Scholar 

  • Capelli C, Pendergast DR, Termin B (1998) Energetics of swimming at maximal speeds in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 78:385–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter JEL, Yuhasz MS (1984) Skinfolds and body composition of Olympic athletes. In: Carter JEL (ed) Physical structure of Olympic athletes Part II Kinanthropometry of Olympic athletes. Karger, Basel, pp 144–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Cazorla G, Monpetit RR (1988) Metabolic and cardiac responses of swimmers, modern pentathletes and water polo players during free style swimming to a maximum. In: Ungerechts B, Wilke K, Reischle K (eds) Swimming science V. Human Kinetics, Champaign IL, pp 251–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Costill DL, Kovaleski J, Porter D, Kirwan J, Fielding R, King D (1985) Energy expenditure during front crawl swimming: predicting success in middle-distance events. Int J Sports Med 6:266–270

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Lorenzo A, Andreoli A, Candeloro N (1997) Within subject variability in body composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clin Physiol 17:383–388

    Google Scholar 

  • di Prampero PE (1986) The energy cost of human locomotion on land and in water. Int J Sports Med 7:55–72

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • di Prampero PE, Cortili G, Mognoni P, Saibene F (1976) Energy cost of speed skating and efficiency of work against air resistance. J Appl Physiol 40:584–591

    Google Scholar 

  • Drinkwater DT, Mazza JC (1994) Body composition. In: Carter JEL, Ackland TR (eds) Kinanthropometry in aquatic sports: a study of world-class athletes, HK Sport science monograph series 5. Human Kinetics, Champaign IL, pp 102–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Farajian P, Kavouras SA, Yannakoulia M, Sidossis LS (2004) Dietary intake and nutritional practices of elite Greek aquatic athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 14:574–585

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Francaux MA, Jacqmin PA, Sturbois XG (1993) The maximum lactate clearance: a new concept to approach the endurance level of an athlete. Arch Int Physiol Biochim Biophys 101:57–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Freund H, Zouloumian P, Oyono S, Lambert E (1984) Lactate kinetics after maximal exercise in man. Med Sport Sci 17:9–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon CC, Chumlea WC, Roche AF (1988) Stature, recumbent lenght and weight. In: Lohman TG, Roche AF, Martorell R (eds) Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. Human Kinetics, Champaign IL, pp 3–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Hohmann A, Frase R (1992) Analysis of swimming speed and energy metabolism in competition water polo games. In: MacLaren D, Reilly T, Lees A (eds) Swimming science VI: biomechanics and medicine in swimming. E& FN Spon, London, pp 313–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollander AP, Dupont SHJ, Volkerijk SM (1994) Physiological strain during competitive water polo games and training. In: Miyashita M, Mutoh Y, Richardson AB (eds) Medicine and science in aquatic sports, vol 39. Krager, Basel, pp 178–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Keskinen KL (1994) Measurement of technique in front crawl swimming. Med Sport Sci 39:117–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Kjendlie PL, Ingjer F, Stallman RK, Stray-Gundersen J (2004) Factors affecting swimming economy in children and adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 93:65–74

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavoie J-M, Leger LA, Montpetit RR, Chabot S (1983) Backward extrapolation of VO2 from the O2 recovery curve after a voluntary maximal 400-m swim. In: Hollander AP, Huijing PA, de Groot G (eds) Biomechanics and medicine in swimming. Human Kinetics, Champaign IL, pp 222–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazess RB, Barden HS, Bisek JP, Hanson J (1990) Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for total-body and regional bone-mineral and soft-tissue composition. Am J Clin Nutr 51:1106–1112

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazza JC, Ackland TR, Bach TM (1994) Absolute body size. In: Carter JEL, Ackland TR (eds) Kinanthropometry in aquatic sports: a study of world-class athletes, HK Sport Science Monograph Series 5. Human Kinetics, Champaign IL, pp 15–54

    Google Scholar 

  • McMaster WC, Troup J (1993) A survey of interfering shoulder pain in United States competitive swimmers. Am J Sports Med 21:67–70

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMaster WC, Long SC, Caiozzo VJ (1991) Isokinetic torque imbalances in the rotator cuff of the elite water polo player. Am J Sports Med 19:72–75

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Montpetit RR, Leger LA, Lavoie JM, Cazorla G (1981) VO2 peak during free swimming using the backward extrapolation of the O2 recovery curve. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 47:385–391

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pelayo P, Mujika I, Sidney M, Chatard JC (1996) Blood lactate recovery measurements, training, and performance during a 23-week period of competitive swimming. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 74:107–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Prior BM, Cureton KJ, Modlesky CM, Evans EM, Sloniger MA, Saunders M, Lewis RD (1997) In vivo validation of whole body composition estimates from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. J Appl Physiol 83:623–630

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyne DB, Lee H, Swanwick KM (2001) Monitoring the lactate threshold in world-ranked swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:291–297

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez FA (1994) Physiological testing of swimmers and water polo players in Spain. In: Miyashita M, Mutoh Y, Richardson AB (eds) Medicine and science in aquatic sports 39. Karger, Basel, pp 172–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith HK (1998) Applied physiology of water polo. Sports Med 26:317–334

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Szogy A, Cherebetiu G (1974) [A 1-min bicycle ergometer test for determination of anaerobic capacity (author’s transl)]. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 33:171–176

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thoden JS, Reardon FD (1985) Quarterly aerobic and anaerobic assessment and specificity training of the National Water Polo team: effects on performance capacity [abstract]. Can J Appl Sports Sci 10:33P

    Google Scholar 

  • Triplett T, Fleck SJ, Smith SL (1991) Isokinetic torque and throwing velocity in water polo [abstract]. Med Sci Sports Exerc 23:S11

    Google Scholar 

  • Wakayoshi K, D’Acquisto LJ, Cappaert JM, Troup JP (1995) Relationship between oxygen uptake, stroke rate and swimming velocity in competitive swimming. Int J Sports Med 16:19–23

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Panagiotis Troulos, Maria Maraki, Maria Perraki and Costas Anastasiou for their help during data collection. The study was supported by the Greek Swimming Federation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El Venizelou Av, Athens, 176-71, Greece

    Yiannis E. Tsekouras, Stavros A. Kavouras, Alessandro Campagna, Yiannis P. Kotsis, Silia S. Syntosi & Labros S. Sidossis

  2. Center for Physical Therapy and Sports Injuries, Athens, Greece

    Kalomira Papazoglou

Authors
  1. Yiannis E. Tsekouras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stavros A. Kavouras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alessandro Campagna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yiannis P. Kotsis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Silia S. Syntosi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kalomira Papazoglou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Labros S. Sidossis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stavros A. Kavouras.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tsekouras, Y.E., Kavouras, S.A., Campagna, A. et al. The anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of elite water polo players. Eur J Appl Physiol 95, 35–41 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-1388-2

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-1388-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation