Physical and Functional State of Female Handball Players in the Preparatory Period of the Stage of Maximizing Individual Capabilities

The significance of this research is underscored by the evolving landscape of sports science, particularly in understanding the comprehensive well-being of female athletes. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the unique physiological and psychological demands placed on female athletes, necessitating tailored training and recovery strategies. This study, focusing on the physical and functional state of female handball players, contributes vital insights into optimizing their performance, particularly in the crucial preparatory phase. By examining both physical capabilities and autonomic nervous system responses, it provides a holistic view essential for developing effective training programs. Moreover, the findings hold the potential to influence broader training methodologies in women's sports, addressing a significant gap in sports science literature. The purpose of the study is to investigate the physical and functional state of female handball players during the preparatory period of the stage of maximizing individual capabilities. The following methods were used in the conducted research: theoretical analysis, synthesis, and generalization; comparison and analogy; pedagogical observation (using instrumental techniques); pedagogical testing; method of assessing the functional state of the autonomic nervous system; mathematical-statistical data processing. Participants in the study included athletes from the main and reserve teams of the handball club "Galychanka" from Lviv. Research Results. During the pedagogical experiment, a diagnostic study of the indicators of physical and functional preparedness of female handball players was conducted. The results showed that most of the physical indicators of the participants were below the established norms. The average time to cover a distance of 30 meters was 0.5 seconds above the norm, the time to dribble a ball over the same distance was 0.3 seconds longer, and the time to perform an exercise involving touching the four corners of the goal 20 times exceeded the norm by 0.62 seconds. Meanwhile, the results of the long jump were 4.79 cm shorter, the triple jump from a standstill was 29.65 cm shorter, and the execution of throwing a handball was 2.30 meters shorter than the norm. Additionally, at the initial stage of the study, the athletes showed centralization of heart rate control and increased activity of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, as indicated by high stress index values (395.44±18.22 units) and the indicator of the activity of regulatory systems (6.92±0.37 units) at rest. Also revealed was excessive activity of the sympathetic division and a lack of balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, as confirmed by high values of the sympathovagal index (LF/HF, 2.58±0.30 units), with LF values being higher than normal (LF – 41.85±2.77%) indicating overtraining. The smaller contribution to heart rate variability was made by the very low-frequency component (VLF – 30.87±2.14%), reflecting the influence of humoral-metabolic factors. These data indicate the need to improve the physical abilities of female handball players within the framework of an experimental educational-training program. Conclusions. The analysis of heart rate variability showed a significant predominance of the low-frequency component (LF), indicating increased activity of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system among female handball players. The significant contribution of the very low-frequency component (VLF) suggests the need to pay attention to the metabolic aspects of the athletes' physical preparation. The low values of the high-frequency component (HF) indicate insufficient activity of the parasympathetic branch. The obtained data pointed to an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity among female handball players, which can have negative consequences for their physical and emotional state.