Mental and Physical Characteristics in Iranian Men's Handball National Team, Winner of Silver Medal in Asian Games-2010

Abstract The handball is characterized by a variety of displacements accomplished with intensity alternation. The purpose of this study was to investigate physical and mental fitness of Iranian men's handball national players. Samples of the research were 15 of Iranian men's handball national players. Selected physical fitness tests (such as: sit and reach, VO 2 max, power, strength, speed, reaction time, agility) and OMSAT3 questionnaire used for measure physical and mental fitness respectively. The results of Pearson correlation showed that there was no significant relation between the factors of physical fitness and mental preparation in athletes (p > 0.05). Physical fitness scores were lower than optimal level whereas they had a very good mental preparation. Although the research subjects had low physical fitness, but they achieved considerable results in Asian games. Therefore, it seems that high psychological preparedness in athletes may be effective in earning such a great position (silver medal).