Aim: The aim of this investigation was to study the physical fitness differences between two qualitative levels of junior water polo players, with regard to their playing positions.
Methods: The sample (N.=54, males; 16-18 years of age) comprised 13 members of the Junior National Squad (JNS; 5 centres and 8 perimeter players), and 41 team athletes (TA; 11 centres and 30 perimeter players). The sample of variables included: body height, body mass, BMI and body fat percentage, 20 metres sprint swimming, maximal dynamometric force in eggbeater kick (DF), on-water vertical jump, drive-shoot-speed, and swimming-endurance-test (SET). Differences between JNS and TA were analysed by t-test for independent samples and by a magnitude-based Cohen's effect size (ES) statistic with modified qualitative descriptors. Forward conditional logistic regression (FCLR) was calculated to determine the impact of the physical fitness variables on the dichotomous criterion (JNS vs. TA).
Results: All variables were found to be reliable. The JNS perimeter players performed better (P<0.05) in SET, DF, and sprint-swimming than the TA perimeter players. No significant differences were found for centres. FCLR revealed drive-shoot-speed as the only significant predictor of qualitative level (Y=-12.925 + 1.188 * DSHOOT; OR: 1.023-1.380) CONCLUSION: Fitness capacities are more important as determinants of quality among perimeters than among centres. The results highlight the need for position-specific training programmes in junior water polo.