Differences in Body Fat, Body Mass Index, and Physical Performance of Specific Field Tests in 10-to-12-Year-Old School-Aged Team Handball Players

Lawrence D. Hayes,Souhail Hermassi,Georg Fieseler,Maha Sellami,El Ghali Bouhafs,René Schwesig

doi:10.3390/app10249022

Abstract

This study aimed to compare 10-to-12-year-old Qatari male athletes and assess body fat, body mass index, and physical fitness, as well as the difference of these measures between ages. Thirty-five youth handball players volunteered for the investigation and were divided into three groups: 12-year-old players (U12; n = 12), 11-year-old players (U11; n = 11), 10-year-old players (U10; n = 12). Anthropometry was assessed by body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), and body mass index (BMI). Measurements included the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), jumping ability (squat and countermovement jumps (SJ and CMJ, respectively)), and sprint tests (10 and 15 m). The power of the upper extremity was measured by a 2-kg overhead medicine ball throw for distance. Except for %BF (p = 0.387) and BMI (p = 0.070), all anthropometric and demographic parameters were different between age groups. The largest differences were found for body mass (p = 0.007) and body height (p = 0.008). Regarding fitness parameters, only the medicine ball throw (p = 0.022) was different between age groups (U10 vs. U12: p = 0.009; U11 vs. U12: p = 0.048). There was no difference between groups for jumping (CMJ: p = 0.586; SJ: p = 0.377), sprinting (10 m: p = 0.211; 15 m: p = 0.194) and Yo-Yo IR1 (p = 0.228). Body fat was the anthropometric parameter with the strongest relationship with physical performance in that lower body fat was related to superior jumping performance and sprint performance. In conclusion, except for %BF and BMI, all anthropometric parameters were different between U10, U11, and U12 handball players. For physical parameters, jumping, sprinting, and endurance performance were not different between age groups. From a practical perspective, coaches can use these findings as reference for the evaluation of their school-aged handball players, as well as for establishing performance goals.

Highlights

Team handball is classified as a contact sport with brief high-intensity demands of anaerobic and aerobic fitness [1,2,3,4]
Many anthropometric and physical fitness differences exist among playing positions [8,9]
Stature and body mass are different between players from different levels of performance and age groups, with elite players demonstrating preferable values [1,2,10]

Summary

Introduction

Team handball is classified as a contact sport with brief high-intensity demands of anaerobic and aerobic fitness [1,2,3,4]. Previous handball studies have reported that in addition to technical and tactical skills, anthropometric characteristics and high levels of muscle strength, power, and throwing ball velocity constitute the determining factors for handball performance [5,6,7]. Handball players show higher basic anthropometrics measures, higher longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the upper limbs, and more muscle mass and fat tissue [1]. Stature and body mass are different between players from different levels of performance and age groups, with elite players demonstrating preferable values [1,2,10]. Fieseler et al [6] reported that backs, pivots, and goalkeepers present greater body mass segments than wings, who are the shortest players and have the lowest body mass

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Conclusion