Abstract
Aims
The purpose of the present study was to determine differences in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance between adolescent handball players across age categories, and to determine which anthropometric and maturity variables have the greatest relative importance.
Methods
The sample consisted young handball players. Testing consisted of anthropometric and physical measures of body height, body mass, body mass index (BMI), arm span, hand length, 5-20m sprint, repeated sprint ability, change of direction speed and aerobic shuttle run test. Two different sets of analysis were undertaken according to their age at peak height velocity (APHV). Full and stepwise regression models were used to identify which anthropometric parameters significantly contributed to performance variables.
Results
All anthropometric parameters increased with age. According to gender we observed a non-significant difference between all levels. The 20m speed test, change of direction speed and aerobic shuttle run test reported a statistically significant gender difference with best performance values for boys. Physical tests were the best predictors of performance based on the results of the multiple regressions.
Conclusion
Young handball players' anthropometric parameters and physical performance can be used to detect and identify talent, whereas maturation is a crucial factor in choosing the most appropriate variables.