## 4 Discussion
A very strong correlation between the HR-values in the two tests were found, and further documented in the linear regression plot with a R2-value of 0.69 (see Figure 2B). Since the HR-values were almost similar in the two tests for nearly all players, this means that the players were just as exhausted in the GBPT as in the Yo-Yo IR1 test. Thus, both tests were performed with highest possible effort. **30-m single sprint performance test**  
The linear 30-m SSPT is the most applied sprint test when scientific studies are testing the sprint ability of team handball players without including ball handling [23; 24; 25; 32]. This occurs despite the fact that most sprints in team handball are of shorter distance and usually performed with changes of direction where the players may never reach their maximal sprint velocity [1; 11; 22; 50]. Consequently, a 15-m split sprint time was also measured in the present study. However, it may happen that team handball players (especially wing players) sprint for 30 m during match-play, for example, a goal scorer lying/standing in the goal area close to the goal when the opponents are taking a fast throw-off. The within test correlation between 15-m and 30-m sprint time was found to be very strong. The performance in the 30-m SSPT was at the same level as the Danish Female National Team, which was tested regularly in the period 2000-2016, in which they belonged to the international top-elite [48]. In line with our hypothesis, several significant relationships between the sprint performance in the SSPT and in the Yo-Yo IR1 test performance and locomotive results in the GBPT, respectively, were demonstrated. The Yo-Yo IR1 running distance was strongly correlated with both the 15-m and 30-m sprint time in the SSPT. In addition, significant relationships were found between 10-m fast break time, 20-m fast break time and fast retreat time, respectively, in the GBPT and the 15-m sprint time as well as only in one occasion with the 30-m sprint time. This indicate that a 15-m sprint test are more relevant for team handball players than the 30-m sprint test, which is in agreement with results from previous studies regarding sprint distances covered during elite team handball match-play [1; 11]. This support previous findings showing that sprint training exercises in team handball primarily should target reaction speed and acceleration (i.e., rate of force development, RFD) rather than focus on maximum running speed [1; 5; 11]. Additionally, the 30-m SSPT was not correlated to any of the GBPT activities, which included technical playing actions such as tackles, jumping and throwing with a ball (during defensive and offensive actions). These data suggest that on-court sprinting with and without a ball may not be the same, and that the SSPT only to a certain extent can measure the individual sprint capacity of elite team handball players who during match-play always are sprinting with or looking for the ball. The special movement pattern during training and matches is unique for team handball (specific team handball agility), and the high-intensity actions in team handball are performed very differently compared to the activity in a linear, 30-m sprint test. Relationships between the various tests  
As hypothesized, some significant relationships in test results between the GBPT and the Yo-Yo IR1 test regarding the locomotive distances, VO2-peak and HR revealed that the Yo-Yo IR1 test are related to the GBPT and hereby also to the on-court performance in team handball match-play. However, it is notable that the Yo-Yo IR1 test results were not correlated to the GBPT in any of the match-related activities in the team handball GBPT that included technical playing actions such as tackles, passes, jumping and shooting during specialized movements in offence and defence. The exact same team handball GBPT, which was used in the present study, has been proved to be very well suited to measure team handball match-related activities [10].