Purpose: To ascertain the typical metabolic power characteristics of elite handball players of different positions, and whether changes occur within matches.
Methods: 414 elite male handball players were included. During all 65 matches of the EURO 2020, local positioning system data were collected, yielding 1853 datasets. Field players were categorised into six positional groups: centre backs (CB), left/right wings (LW/RW), left/right backs (LB/RB) and pivots (P). Metabolic power, total energy expenditure, high-power energy, and the equivalent distance index were calculated. We used linear mixed models with players as random and positions as fixed effects models. Intensity models adjusted for time-dependency by incorporating the duration of play.
Results: LW/RW spent most time on the court, expanded most total energy, and most relative energy per kg body weight in the high-intensity categories. CB played at the highest mean metabolic power (7.85 W/kg; CI95% [7.67, 8.03]). Playing intensity decreased by 2.5% (0.2 kJ/kg/s; CI95% [0.17, 0.23]) per 10 min played.
Conclusion: Positional differences in metabolic power parameters exist. In general, wing players had the highest volume and CB the highest intensity of match-play. Analysis of metabolic intensity in handball should take position and players' time on the court into account.
Keywords: activity profile; energy expenditure; external load; local positioning system; mixed models.