Differences in body anthropometry between competitively efficient and less efficient junior male handball players

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine if differences existed in anthropometric and body composition characteristics between competitively efficient (above average) and less efficient (average) junior male handball players. A total of 106 junior male handball players participated in this study. The players were divided into two playing quality or performance groups of above average or (competitively efficient) (n = 26) and average or competitively less efficient (n = 80) levels. A combination of individual players’ quality as determined subjectively by a consortium of national handball coaches and team ranking achieved at a championship were used to achieve this purpose. 22 anthropometric attributes were measured for each subject. Similarly, 6 body composition variables were estimated. The results showed that the above average players were better endowed morphologically than the average players particularly in the Longitudinal Skeleton Dimensionality (LSD), Transverse Skeleton Dimensionality (TSD) and Absolute Voluminosity of the Body (AVB) dimensions. The junior male players at both levels of performance were relatively homogenous in the Subcutaneous Fatty Tissue (SFT). However, the average level players had significantly lower supra spinale skinfold measure (t = 2.57, P < 0.011) than the above average level players. Derived body composition measures of skeletal mass (t = 5.80; p < 0.000); muscle mass (t = 4.87; p < 0.000); and fat free mass (t = 6.59; p < 0.000) were statistically significant in favour of the above average players. The mean (SD) somatotype of all the players (2.04[0.5]; 3.13[1.0]; 3.6[1.1]) were statistically significant. Similarly, the somatotype classification of mesoectomorphic (mesomorphic ectomorph) characterised both levels of players (above average – 2.1[0.4], 2.85[0.8], 3.85[0.8] versus average - 2.01(0.5), 3.23[1.1], 3.54[1.2]) as there were no significant differences in these somatotype components. Results of the study demonstrated that the competitively efficient junior male handball players were significantly differentiated as possessing superior anthropometric characteristics compared to the less efficient junior male handball players.