Test Results of Agility, Speed, and Accuracy among Handball Players at Thailand National Sports University, Ubon Ratchathani Sports School

Abstract

Background and Aims: Agility, speed, and accuracy are fundamental physical components that directly contribute to success in handball, influencing both offensive and defensive performance. Access to current fitness data is essential for the systematic development of athletes. This descriptive research aimed to investigate and assess the physical performance in the aforementioned three aspects among male handball athletes affiliated with the National Sports University, Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Sports School.

Methodology: The sample consisted of 14 male athletes selected through purposive sampling. This study employed a descriptive research design to explore and describe the current status of agility, speed, and shooting accuracy—factors crucial to handball performance. Data collection took place between October 2023 and April 2024. Athletes underwent three main performance tests: agility was assessed using the T-Test Agility Run; speed was measured via a 30-meter sprint; and shooting accuracy was evaluated through shooting at designated targets from 6 and 9 meters (10 shots per corner target per distance—upper right and upper left corners). All quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, specifically mean and standard deviation.

Results: The data analysis revealed that the sample group had an average agility score of 10.12±0.65 seconds in the T-Test, indicating a good ability to execute complex directional changes. In terms of short-distance speed, the average time for the 30-meter sprint was 3.53±0.23 seconds, demonstrating effective acceleration and short-range movement. Regarding shooting accuracy, the average score at a distance of 6 meters was 9.00±1.96 points (out of 10). However, at 9 meters, the average score decreased to 8.43±1.84 points, suggesting a trend of reduced accuracy with increasing shooting distance.

Conclusion: This study provides up-to-date empirical data on the physical performance levels of handball athletes, offering valuable insights for coaches and sport scientists in evaluating individual athletic potential. Most importantly, these findings serve as a foundation for designing evidence-based training programs, particularly emphasizing the development of long-distance shooting accuracy, which remains a key area for enhancing competitive performance at the team level.