SEX AND STANDARD LEVELS DIFFERENCES IN ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PHYSICAL FITNESS CHARACTERISTICS IN YOUTH HANDBALL PLAYERS

Handball players gender and playing level

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationships between throwing velocity and anthropometric and fitness parameters at different ages in young female and male handball players. A total of 159 players participated: female under-16 (FU16, n=44), under-14 (FU14, n=21); male under-16 (MU16, n=54), under-14 (MU14, n=40). The follow measurements were completed: height, arm-span and body mass, total finger-span, hand-length, maximal isometric hand-grip force, handball throwing velocity, 20-m sprints, countermovement jump and change of direction. The MU16 group showed significantly (P<0.05) greater values for anthropometric characteristics than FU16 and MU14. No significant differences were observed between FU14 and MU14 for any of the anthropometric variables analyzed, or between the two female groups (FU16 vs. FU14). MU16 showed significantly (P<0.05) greater performance in all parameters analyzed than FU16 and MU14. No significant differences were observed between FU14 vs. MU14 or between FU16 vs. FU14. Throwing performance correlated (P<0.05) with almost all anthropometric and fitness parameters evaluated within each group. Male handball players showed greater anthropometric and fitness characteristics in the U16 compared to the U14, whereas no substantial differences were observed in female handball players from U14 to U16. Handball throwing velocity is associated with body and hand dimensions and other physical performance parameters.