The development of the research about Valencian Handball: bibliographical guide and information sources

A bibliographic analysis of academic works about Valencian handball (Pilota Valenciana) is presented, compiled from bibliographic resources of the Valencian Handball Federation and the Handball Museum of Genovés, through searches in the main on-line catalogues and databases. 181 works were identified, amongst journal articles (95), monographic publications (40), proceedings (37), PhD tesis (5) and reference works (4). Early works were published in the 60s and 70s, observing a high increase of publications about the middle of the 80s until now, coinciding with the publication of specialized reviews and the celebration of congresses and scientific meetings besides the lecture of some PhD thesis. Among subjects dealt, we can emphasize historical studies about its origins and development, researches based on the physical places where it takes place, modalities, vocabulary of the game, its interest and importance in relation with the educational field, sociological analysis and medical studies related to specific diseases.