Beach handball practical applications of identifying symptoms for overtraining syndrome.

1. 1 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
European Handball Federation
Web Periodical Online Expert Corner
Published online at: http://activities.eurohandball.com/web-periodicals
ANALYSIS OF INJURIES, OVERTRAINING AND DEHYDRATION IN THE ELITE
FEMALE BEACH HANDBALL ATHLETE: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Robelyn A. Garcia
ASU School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Senior University and Arizona State University
George S. Bebetsos
Anatolia College, Physical Education Department
The online version of this article can be retrieved at:
http://cms.eurohandball.com/PortalData/1/Resources/1_ehf_main/2_text_images/Garcia_Bebetsos.pdf
Beach handball practical applications of identifying symptoms for overtraining syndrome
The fast-paced high-scoring game of Beach Handball has erupted and is gaining
popularity across the world (Piankova, 2013, Bebetsos, et. al., 2012). “The International
Handball Federation’s (IHF) Development Plan has helped the sport to progress from a basic
level to highly competitive competitions, and, ultimately, to one of its most successful activities,
thus allowing effective product integration and developing a compelling lifestyle” (Bebetsos, et.
al., 2012). The development of a stronger and faster style of play in Beach Handball has
contributed to a more exciting and dynamic sport. The pressure on world-class athletes to
perform at high levels has increased as the sport of Beach Handball has gained popularity.
When athletes push themselves or are pushed too hard without sufficient recovery, the result
often leads to injury, dehydration and overtraining syndrome (Corbin, et.al, 2013).
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

2. 2 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
Fatigue during Beach Handball training is normal when the athlete participates in a hard
workout. Overtraining syndrome appears when the athlete does not have adequate rest following
this type of excessive overloading exercise. The pressure on many athletes to perform at a high
level has increased as sports (in particular youth) programs have flourished. The number of
acute and chronic injuries among young competitive athletes has also increased (Vetter, et. al.,
2010; Rearick, et. al, 2013).
Beach handball overtraining syndrome symptoms
Understanding overtraining syndrome is of import for coaches in the evaluation and
management of their athletes. The skill of preventing, identifying, and treating symptoms of
overtraining is imperative in the world of sports. The symptoms that Beach Handball coaches
and players need to look for include ongoing abnormal fatigue, irritability, drastic mood
changes, a change in sleeping patterns, evidence of heaviness of the arms or legs, loss of
appetite, a lack of interest in training, anxiety, a decrease in performance, poor or irregular heart
rate and a high resting heart rate coupled with a maladapted response to daily training
(Urhausen, et. al., 2002, Black Johnson, et. al. 1992). If three or more of these signs are present
methods of preventing further symptoms of overtraining syndrome need to be considered and
incorporated (Corbin, et. al., 2013).
Rise of injury following intermission
A special characteristic of beach handball is the environment in which the games take
place: sand, high temperatures and many matches during the same day. The cause of injuries in
each sport and its versions can differ between different subgroups of the athletes’ population
(Manavis, et. al., 2008). Of particular note is the rise of injury during the second period of the
match immediately following the five-minute intermission (IHF, 2014). Holdhaus (2011)
revealed that 66% of all of injuries during the Women's Euro 2010 Championships occurred
during the second half of competition. This rise in injury can be attributed to a combination of
fatigue due to overtraining or improper training, poor beach handball skills, cold muscles and
dehydration. If Beach Handball “athletes do not consume enough fluid to maintain euhydration
then a detriment in performance is almost certain” (Karras, et. al., 2007).
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

3. 3 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
Beach Handball players may lose one liter of fluid during training and games. This
equates to 2% of body mass for the female Beach Handballer (Karras, et. al., 2007). It has been
empirically established over decades of sport science research that even small fluid deficits
challenge the cardiovascular system and drastically reduce performance (Graig, et. al., 1966;
Karras, et. al., 2007). Further, the blood lactate concentration is affected by dehydration,
resulting in the faster appearance of athlete’s fatigue (Kaya, et. al., 2013).
Coaching and training adjustments
Coaches need to make immediate adjustments addressing the multiple body systems
causing negative changes in performance. Although overtraining syndrome remains a clinical
diagnosis, coaches need to be educated on the prevention, warning signs, and treatment of
overtraining to protect the safety of their athletes. The training load should be altered to include
tapering and breaks for sufficient recovery (Corbin, et.al, 2013). Other successful prevention
and treatment options include increasing hydration, resetting athletic performance goals, diet
modification and educating athletes on the risks for injury and dehydration (Piankova, 2013). It
is recommended that female Beach Handballers consume at least 2% of their body mass in
fluids during training and competitions to stay properly hydrated (Karras, et. al., 2007). The skill
of preventing, identifying, and treating symptoms of dehydration, injury, and overtraining in
Beach Handballers is imperative as Beach Handball is posed to become one of the most popular
sports in the U.S.A.
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

4. 4 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
References
Bebetsos, G.S., et .al. (2012), Beach Handball from A to Z. Basel: IHF publications. Retrieved at
www.handball.no/local_showfile.asp?field=35377
Black Johnson, M. & Thiese, S.M. (1992). A review of overtraining syndrome - Recognizing
the signs and symptoms, Journal Of Athletic Training, 27(4): 352–354.
Corbin, C., Welk, G., & Welk, K. (2013). Concepts of physical fitness (17th edition). New
York: McGRaw Hill Publishing.
Graig, F.N., & Cummings, E.G. (1966). Dehydration and muscular work. Journal Of Applied
Physiology, 21(2): 670-674.
Holdhaus, H. (2011). Summary of the injury study conducted at the Women’s EHF Euro in
Norway and Denmark. European Handball Federation publications. Retrieved at
www.eurohandball.com/article/013811.
International Handball Federation (IHF). (2014), Beach Handball rules of the game. Basel: IHF
publishing.
Karras, D., Chryssanthopoulos, C. & Diafas, V. (2007). Body fluid loss during four consecutive
beach handball matches in high humidity and environmental temperatures. Serbian
Journal of Sport Sciences, 1(1-4): 15-20.
Kaya, I., Kalkavan, A., Senturk, A., Harmanci, H., Karavelioglu, B., Yuksel, O., Savasli, M.
(2013). Analysis of blood lactate and heart rate of indoor sports athletes as a response to
various loads. Turkish Journal of Sports and Exercise, 15(3): 86-89.
Manavis, K., Hatzimanouil, D., Stefas, E. & Bebetsos, G. (2008). Injuries in Beach Handball.
European Handball Federation publications. Retrieved at http://home.eurohandball.com
Piankova, D. (2013). Beach handball spreading across the United States. The Sports Digest:
March, 13th, 2013. The United States Sports Academy, Daphne, AL. Retrieved at
http://thesportdigest.com/2013/03/beach-handball-spreading-across-the-united-states
Rearick, M., Creasy, J. & Buriak J. (2013). Avoid overtraining in young athletes. Journal of
Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 82:5: 25-36.
Urhausen, A., & Kindermann, J. (2002). Diagnosis of overtraining: What tools do we have?
Sports Medicine. 32(2): 95-102.
Vetter, R. E., & Symonds, M. L. (2010). Correlations between injury, training intensity, and
physical and mental exhaustion among college athletes. Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research, 24(3), 587-96.
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

5. 5 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
The original online version of this article can be found at: http://drrobelyngarcia.hubpages.com/hub/BeachHandball
● Sports and Recreation
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Analysis of Injuries, Overtraining and
Dehydration in the Elite Female Athlete by
Dr. Robelyn A. Garcia
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by Dr.Robelyn Garcia
Beach Handball Practical Applications of Identifying
Symptoms for Overtraining Syndrome
2nd revision published in EHF Periodical: Spring 2014.
The fast-paced high-scoring game of Beach Handball has erupted and is gaining
popularity across the world (5). The development of a stronger and faster style of play in
Beach Handball has contributed to a more exciting and dynamic sport. The pressure on
world-class athletes to perform at high levels has increased as the sport of Beach
Handball has gained popularity. When athletes push themselves or are pushed too hard
without sufficient recovery, the result often leads to injury, dehydration and
Overtraining Syndrome (1). Fatigue during Beach Handball training is normal when the
athlete participates in a hard workout. Overtraining Syndrome appears when the athlete
does not have adequate rest following this type of excessive overloading exercise.
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

6. 6 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
Elite Women's Beach Handballers
Source: World Beach Handball Federation
Beach Handball Overtraining Syndrome Symptoms
The symptoms that Beach Handball coaches and players need to look for include
ongoing abnormal fatigue, irritability, drastic mood changes, a change in sleeping
patterns, evidence of heaviness of the arms or legs, loss of appetite, a lack of interest in
training, anxiety, a decrease in performance, poor or irregular heart rate and a high
resting heart rate coupled with a maladapted response to daily training (7). If three or
more of these signs are present methods of preventing further symptoms of
Overtraining Syndrome need to be considered and incorporated (1).
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

7. 7 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
Rise of Injury Following Intermission
Source: USA Olympic Road to Rio
Of particular note is the rise of
injury during the second half of
play immediately following the
5-minute intermission.
Holdhaus (3) revealed that 66%
of all of injuries during the
Women's Euro 2010
Championships occurred during
the second half of competition.
This rise in injury can be
attributed to a combination of
fatigue due to overtraining or
improper training, poor beach
handball skills, cold muscles and
dehydration. If Beach Handball
“athletes do not consume
enough fluid to maintain
euhydration then a detriment in
performance is almost certain”
(4). Beach Handball players may
lose one liter of fluid during
training and games. This equates to 2% of body mass for the female Beach Handballer
(4). It has been empirically established over decades of sport science research that even
small fluid deficits challenge the cardiovascular system and drastically reduce
performance (2, 4).
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

8. 8 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
Beach Handball Championships
Source: Beach Handball PanAm Games
Coaching and Training Adjustments
Coaches need to make immediate adjustments addressing the multiple body systems
causing negative changes in performance. The training load should be altered to include
tapering and breaks for sufficient recovery (1). Other successful prevention and
treatment options include increasing hydration, resetting athletic performance goals,
diet modification and educating athletes on the risks for injury and dehydration (6). It is
recommended that female Beach Handballers consume at least 2% of their body mass in
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

9. 9 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
fluids during training and competitions to stay properly hydrated (4). The skill of
preventing, identifying, and treating symptoms of dehydration, injury, and overtraining
in Beach Handballers is imperative as Beach Handball is posed to become one of the
most popular sports in America.
Conclusions and Implications
● Hydrate When You Participate!
● Over Train, No Gain!
USA Beach Handball
Source: USA Beach Handball
Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

10. 10 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
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About the Author
Author: Dr. Robelyn Garcia is a
Multidisciplinary Professor and Scholar,
Beach Handball Curriculum Writer,
Interdisciplinary Professor, the Vice
President of American Community
Team Sports, the President of the SW Jr.
NBA-WNBA, a former Professional
Basketball player and Kinesiology
Professor. The author can be reached at
DrRGarcia@asu.edu or
Dr.Robelyn.Garcia@USAbh.org
Source: Google Scholar
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Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes

11. 11 Garcia, R., Bebetsos, G.S.
Works Cited
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Analysis of injuries, overtraining and dehydration in elite female athletes