METHODS
Subjects
A group of 13 male handball players of national level (age: 23.8 ± 4.1 yr, height: 184.5 ± 0.1 cm, weight: 86.4 ± 11.3 kg, VO2max: 47.2 ± 2.0 ml.kg-1.min-1, seated resting HR: 72.4 ± 10.5 bpm, training experience: 12.2 ± 3.9 yr) took part in this investigation. They were in ‘general preparation’ phase for their principal competition (Brazilian Championship). Subjects provided voluntary written informed consent to participate in this study, which was approved by the University Human Ethics Review Panel. The sample size was calculated assuming a minimum value for strong correlation (r = 0.80) (13) among variables of interest, assuming β of 0.80 and α of 0.05. The estimated sample size required to accomplish this study was 9 athletes (Medcalc® v 9.2.1.0).