Toward an Anthropometric Pattern in Elite Male Handball

Abstract

We investigated the anthropometric characteristics associated with specific handball skills in competition. The body anthropometric profiles differ significantly among the playing positions in handball due to the specific tasks. The aim of this study is to identify the anthropometric patterns for each playing position by collecting data from elite male handball players. To determine the anthropometric profile of the elite handball players for each playing position, we used descriptive statistics for every indicator in order to identify the optimal patterns for elite handball players from the top-four ranked teams at the most important competitions over a period of 18 years (2004–2021). Over time, the anthropometric indices evolved: the average height increased (from 190 to 192.6 cm) but less than weight increased (from 90.5 to 95.28 kg), and these affected the body mass index (increase from 25.2 to 25.67). The novelty of our study is that we identified an anthropometric pattern for each playing position and for all teams in elite male handball. Our study also covered a period of 18 years to give our results more accuracy and reliability.

Decreasing number of distance shooting in handball – trend of nowadays male handball competition

“…Analyzing the quantitative data, it is important to emphasize the predominance of positional attack situation over the fastbreak attack which for many years constitute 75-85% of all actions performed [13]. However, under further investigation over the tactical situation, it's very important to highlight significant decrease of the quantity of distance shots, which are likely to be linked with the character of handball and the handball player silhouette [12]. Gryko et al [6] informed about decreasing number of 9 meter shots which has leveled at average of 17.3 shot per game in World Championships in 2015 and was significantly lower than in 2013 (-9.9%, p<0.05).…”

Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players: Analyzing Associations between Anthropometry, Fitness, and On-Ice Performance

“…Past research suggests that anthropometric characteristics and/or body composition are variables associated with success in sport, whether at the senior professional level [ 21 , 22 ], or among younger competitive athletes [ 23 , 24 ]. In team sports such as basketball, handball, or rugby, characteristics such as body mass, height, and wingspan are among the factors that determine an athlete’s potential [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. There is a plethora of methods for measuring the anthropometric characteristics of athletes.…”