Rev Bras Fisiol Exerc 2021;19(5):359-68
doi: 10.33233/rbfex.v19i5.4121
ORIGINAL
ARTICLE
Anthropometric
characteristics vary by game position and demonstrate correlation with motor
performance in handball
Características
antropométricas variam em função da posição de jogo e demonstram correlação com
o desempenho motor no handebol
Lucas de Paula Oliveira1,
Vitor Luiz de Andrade2, Luiz Henrique Palucci
Vieira2, Rodrigo Leal de Queiroz Thomaz de Aquino3, Luiz
Guilherme Cruz Gonçalves1, Rafael Pombo Menezes1, Enrico Fuini Puggina1
1Escola e Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
2Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio Mesquita Filho, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
3Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo,
Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
Received
on: May 12, 2020; Accepted on: September 22, 2020.
Corresponding author: Lucas de Paula
Oliveira, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-900 Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
Lucas de Paula Oliveira: lucasdepaulausp@gmail.com
Vitor Luiz de Andrade:
vitor.luiz.de.andrade@gmail.com
Luiz Henrique Palucci Vieira: luizpalucci@gmail.com
Rodrigo Leal de Queiroz
Thomaz de Aquino: rodrigo.aquino@usp.br
Luiz Guilherme Cruz
Gonçalves: luiz.goncalves@usp.br
Rafael Pombo Menezes:
rafaelpombo@usp.br
Enrico Fuini Puggina: enrico@usp.br
Abstract
Objectives: The aims of this study were to describe and compare anthropometric
variables and motor performance between playing positions, and to test the
correlations between these variables in adult handball players. Methods:
Participated in the study 23 handball players (20,78 ± 3,83 years), being
subdivided by position into backs (n = 9), wings (n = 9) and pivots (n = 5).
Two assessment batteries were carried out, with an interval of 72 h, and
analyzed in the first battery the anthropometric variables (height, body mass,
lean mass, fat mass, and fat mass percentage) and the performance on the tests
squat jump, counter movement jump and standing broad jump, and in the second
the performance on 10 m sprint test and agility. Results: The pivots showed
higher body mass, fat mass and fat mass percentage when compared to backs and
wings, being pivots and backs the greater stature players of the team (p <
0.05). The pivots performance in T-Test was lower than backs. Correlations were
found between high fat mass and low performance on T-test, squat jump, counter
movement jump and standing broad jump, and between high fat mass percentage
with low performance on T-test, squat jump, counter movement jump. Conclusion:
Anthropometric characteristics and motor performance vary depending on playing
positions. In addition, moderate correlations were found between high fat
indexes and low performance on agility and vertical and horizontal jumping
tests.
Keywords: exercise, physical functional performance, velocity measurement.
Resumo
Objetivos: Os objetivos do
presente estudo foram descrever e comparar variáveis antropométricas e o
desempenho em testes motores entre as posições de jogo, e testar a correlação
entre estas variáveis em jogadores de handebol adultos. Métodos:
Participaram do estudo 23 jogadores (20,78 ± 3,83 anos), sendo subdivididos por
posição em armadores (n = 9), pontas (n = 9) e pivôs (n = 5). Foram realizadas
duas baterias de avaliações, com 72 h de intervalo entre elas, e analisados na
primeira bateria variáveis antropométricas (estatura, massa corporal, massa
magra, massa gorda, e percentual de gordura), e o desempenho nos testes squat jump, counter movement jump e salto horizontal, e na segunda o desempenho
nos testes sprint de 10 m e teste-T. Resultados:
Os pivôs apresentaram maior massa corporal, massa gorda e percentual de gordura
em comparação aos armadores e pontas, sendo pivôs e armadores os jogadores de
maior estatura da equipe (p < 0,05). O desempenho no teste-T
dos pivôs foi menor em comparação aos de armadores. Foram encontradas
correlações entre maior massa gorda com menor desempenho em teste-T,
squat jump, counter movement jump e salto horizontal, e entre maior percentual
de gordura com menor desempenho em teste-T, squat jump e counter movement jump. Conclusão: As características
antropométricas e o desempenho motor variam em função da posição de jogo. Além
disso, foram evidenciadas correlações moderadas entre maiores índices de
gordura e menor desempenho em testes de agilidade e salto vertical e
horizontal.
Palavras-chave: exercício físico,
desempenho físico funcional, medição de velocidade.
The anthropometric characterization of handball players has been an
object of interest in several studies in the sports sciences and training areas
[1-7]. The relevance of this knowledge is the possibility of; 1) collaborating
with technical staff in the search for “talents” in this sport, due to the
adequacy of athletes with respect to the desired to anthropometric profiles, and;
2) To assisting professionals, such as fitness coaches to better outline their
training programs in order to achieve the intended body profile for a player in
this sport modality.
It is documented in the scientific literature that elite level professional
handball players have greater height (H) and body mass (BM) when compared to
amateurs [6] and non-elite professional [7] players, and that these differences
also exist between the best and worst teams ranked teams in renowned world
championships [8]. Similarly, it has also been identified that elite
professional players have higher absolute lean mass (LM), and lower amounts of
absolute fat mass (FM) and body fat mass (BFM) [7].
The comparison of motor skills has also been a target of interest in
studies in this field [6,7]. Differences have been shown in motor tests applied
to these players, with special emphasis on the 10, 20, and 30 m [7,9] sprint
time, absolute power of the lower limbs in the squat jump (SJ) and counter
movement jump (CMJ) [7], and ball speed in the throw [6,9]. In this context,
more recent studies also point out that the physical characteristics depend on
the specific game position of the player, subdividing them into backs, wings,
pivots, and goalkeepers [10-13].
Although anthropometric variables have already been the target of
research that found differences between game positions [11-14], and that some
motor tests were not sensitive to detect differences in physical performance
[12], little is known about the real influences of anthropometrics variables on
motor tests in handball players taking into account the game positions.
Thus, the main objectives of this study were 1) to describe and compare
anthropometric characteristics and motor performance between game positions; 2)
to test correlations between anthropometric variables and motor performance in
adult handball players.
Additionally, the main hypothesis of the present investigation was the
possibility of motor performance varying by position according to the higher or
lower requirement of certain motor skills (e.g., force, velocity, and
resistance), as well as that anthropometric variables could be sensitive to
explain differences in motor performance.
Participants
Twenty-three adult handball players (20.78 ± 3.83 years; 86.98 ± 15.95
kg; 182.69 ± 6.75 cm; 16.19 ± 7.39%) were considered as the sample population,
of amateur level, belonging to a team that disputes the first division of the Paulista championship. The inclusion and exclusion criteria
were having at least one year of uninterrupted training in the modality, and
not presenting musculoskeletal injuries or health problems. For the analyses
between the game positions, the players were subdivided into backs (n = 9),
wings (n = 9), and pivots (n = 5).
The effect size of the sample size used in the present study (n = 23)
was 0.53, calculated using G*Power software (v. 3.1.9.4), assuming α =
0.05 and b = 0.89, based on a previous study with handball players [15] using as a
parameter for the calculation the level of correlation between body mass and
performance in the throwing test (r = 0.53).
The collections were carried out at the beginning of the preparatory
stage (February/2014) for the Paulista championship,
a period in which athletes trained with a frequency of three sessions per week,
lasting approximately two hours per session. This study was approved by the
Research Ethics Committee of the Clinical Hospital of Ribeirão
Preto (Protocol 775.212), Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão
Preto, and was conducted in accordance with the principles established by the
declaration of Helsinki.
Experimental
design
After being informed about the procedures adopted in the research and
signing the Free and Informed Consent Term, the individuals were submitted to
two batteries of assessments, carried out on an official handball court, on two
assessment days, with a 72 h interval between them. The test days were divided
into (I) anthropometry (H, BM, LM, FM, and BFM), and motor tests (CMJ, SJ, and
SBJ), and (II) motor tests (10 m sprint and T-test).
Anthropometry
The variables BM and H were assessed using a digital scale (DLK Sports,
SB-623, Brazil) and digital laser measuring tape (Bosch, DLE-40, Germany), with
precisions of 0.1 kg and 1.5 mm, respectively.
To estimate the BFM and the amount of LM and FM, first, the body density
(BD) was estimated using the equation proposed by Jackson and Pollock [16],
based on the sum of three skin folds, chest, abdomen, and thigh (X2) and age in
years (X3) (Equation 1). A scientific adipometer
(Sanny, AD1010, Brazil) with a precision of 0.1 mm
was used for the measurements, following the procedures proposed by Harrison et
al. [17].
BD = [1.1093800 –
0.0008267 × (X2) + 0.0000016 × (X2)2 – 0.0002574 × (X3)]
(Equation 1)
To estimate BFM based on body density,
the equation proposed by Siri [18] (Equation 2) was used. Subsequently,
from the BFM and total BM, the values of LM and FM were calculated.
BFM = [(4.95 / BD) –
4.5) × 100]
(Equation 2)
Velocity
test
For the velocity test, the participants were positioned behind the start
mark and, after a sound signal, they covered the distance of ten meters in a
straight line in the shortest time possible. To record the time taken in the
test, one evaluator was positioned at the starting point, and another at the
end of the ten meter distance, the first being responsible for signaling the
start of the test and the second for marking the time spent using a stopwatch
(DLK Sports, WT-038, Brazil), accurate to 1/100 seconds.
Agility
test
For the agility T-test, adapted by Moreira, Souza and Oliveira [19], the
participants started the test positioned behind the start mark and after a
sound signal, they covered ten meters in a straight line, until the first cone
(central cone). After touching the cone with their hand, they changed direction
to the left, towards the next cone (positioned at five meters in relation to
the central cone). The participants then returned in the opposite direction,
moving to the other cone of the “T”, covering another ten meters. Finally, the
subjects returned to the central cone, covering five more meters, and then
finished the test by covering another ten meters towards the finish mark,
totaling 40 m in the test (Figure 1).
To determine the time taken to perform the adapted T-test, a stopwatch
(DLK Sports, WT-038, Brazil) was used, with an accuracy of 1/100 seconds.
Figure
1 - Illustration of the agility test (adapted
T-test)
Vertical
jump test
The vertical jump test was conducted on Ergo Jump equipment (Cefise®, Brazil) associated with the Jump System Pro
software (Cefise®, Brazil), version 1.0. The mat is
composed of electronic circuits which enable the estimation of vertical jump
height and power of the lower limbs based on the flight time and acceleration
due to gravity [20].
During the test, participants performed two execution techniques: Squat
Jump (SJ) and Counter Movement Jump (CMJ). For SJ, the participants positioned
themselves on the mat in a standing position, with their feet parallel, and
their hands on the hips, in order to neutralize the action of the upper limbs.
The individuals were instructed to start with a 90º knee flexion and perform a
vertical jump to the highest possible height. For the CMJ, the positioning of
the feet followed the same procedure adopted for the SJ. For the jump, a
flexion movement was performed followed by knee extension, starting from an
upright position [21].
Standing
broad jump test
The standing broad jump test was performed on the court where the
athletes habitually train. The participants started the test behind the exit
mark, with their feet slightly apart, and were instructed to perform a
semi-flexion of the knees together with oscillatory movements of the arms and
to jump to the greatest possible horizontal distance [22]. The jump distance
was measured using a measuring tape (Stanley, 34-263, United States) fixed to
the floor of the court. The longest distance was measured between the starting
line and the heel closest to the starting mark.
For all tests in the study, three attempts were performed, and the best
attempt was considered for statistical analysis. The recovery time between
tests was five minutes and one minute between attempts in the same test [21].
Statistical
analysis
Initially all the data passed the Shapiro Wilk normality test, which
allowed parametric statistical analysis. After confirmation of the normality of
distribution, one-way ANOVA analysis was adopted, followed by the Tukey post
hoc to compare anthropometric variables and motor performance between positions
(i.e., backs, wings, and pivots). Possible correlations between the variables
were tested using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The values obtained in the
correlation tests were classified as very weak (0.0 – 0.20), weak (0.21 –
0.40), moderate (0.41 – 0.70), strong (0.71 – 0.90) and very strong (0.91 –
1.0) [23]. All analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.0 (SPSS
Inc. Chicago, USA), with a significance criterion of p < 0.05.
Table I presents the mean values of the anthropometric variables and
motor performance, as well as the comparisons between the game positions. The
pivots demonstrated greater BM, FM and BFM compared to the backs and wings, and
the pivots together with the backs were the tallest in the team (p < 0.05).
Regarding motor performance variables, the pivots presented a worse time
in the T-test compared to the backs (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant
differences were found in the 10 m, SBJ, SJ, CMJ, and absolute mean power (MP)
and relative power (RP) of the lower limbs for both SJ and CMJ techniques.
Table
I - Description of anthropometric variables and
motor performance of adult handball players
H
= Height; BM = Body mass; LM = Lean body mass; FM = Fat mass; BFM = Body fat
mass; 10m ten meters sprint time; Teste-T = T-teste time; SJ = Squat Jump; CMJ
= Counter Movement Jump; MP = Mean power; RP = Relative power; SBJ = Standing
broad jump; (p < 0,05): abacks x wings; bbacks x pivots; cwings x pivots
Considering the total sample (n = 23), Table II presents the correlation
values between the anthropometric variables and motor performance. A positive
correlation was observed between BM and T-test time and, an inverse correlation
with the SBJ, SJ, and CMJ. The FM presented a positive correlation with the
T-test, and inverse correlation with the SBJ, RP in the CMJ, and vertical heigth in the SJ and CMJ. For the BFM the same behavior was
observed, a positive correlation with the T-test, and inverse correlation with
the RP in the CMJ, and vertical heigth in the SJ and
CMJ, highlighting an association between lower values for these variables
(i.e., BM, FM, and BFM) and better performance.
Table
II - Correlation matrix between anthropometric
variables and motor performance (r)
*represents
p < 0,05; **represents p < 0,01
The main findings of this study were the diferences
in antropometric variables between the positions of
backs, wings, and pivots and in agility test performance between backs and
pivots. In addition, significant correlations were found between anthropometric
variables and motor performance.
Sporis et al.
[11] evaluated 92 handball players of elite level, and observed significant
differences between the positions for H (backs [196.7 ± 5.4 cm], wings [183.9 ±
5.7 cm], and pivots [ 196.3 ± 9.3 cm]), BM (backs [96.7 ± 5.4 kg], wings [89.1
± 6.5 kg], and pivots [107.6 ± 7.9 kg]), and BFM (backs [8.7 ± 2.0%], wings
[13.2 ± 3.3%], and pivots [13.3 ± 6.2%]), similar to the finding of the present
study. Differences were also observed in the studies of Hermassi,
Laudner and Schwesig [13], Chaouachi et al. [12], and Llic
et al. [14].
Players occupy different positions on the court, in which they are
required to perform functions directly related to the model and game system
adopted by the coach. The backs, for example, are positioned in more distant
places from the opponent's goal, allowing displacements in different directions
of the court and greater distance in relation to their direct and/or indirect
markers. The backs can also use the greatest number of technical-tactical
elements (such as crossings, feints, and changes of direction) to obtain
advantageous situations to attack and allow infiltrations or finishing of
medium or long distance by other backs [24]. The wings are players who act
close to the right and left side lines of the court (usually close to the end
lines or nine meters lines on the court). These players perform the functions
of initiating the movement of the ball and finishing after that movement (in a
positional attack), developing different collective technical-tactical elements
(such as crossings, changing of specific positions, and curtains),
participating in changing of offensive systems (when they occupy the pivot post
- or second pivot), and also initiating counterattacks that provoke defensive
imbalances [24]. The pivot is the striker positioned closest to the opponent's
goal and among the defenders, whose body position is usually lateral to or
their back to the opposing team's goal [25]. Despite the apparently fixed
positioning, the pivot performs actions such as blocking, which make it
difficult for defenders to move and makes it possible for infiltration by back
players, and to clear them, so that they can receive the ball and perform the
spin for the throw, which requires high strength levels of this player [25].
When analyzing the demands of the game and the functions mentioned
above, it is possible to suggest that in handball each position occupied on the
court requires certain anthropometric characteristics of the players. For
example, the physical attributes of the pivots, such as the greater H and BM
found in this study, may be favorable in offensive situations, such as in
blocking actions, to facilitate infiltration and finishing for backs and wings.
On the other hand, the greater agility (i.e, better
T-test time) of the backs and the lower BM and BFM of the backs and wings, when
compared with pivots, could facilitate feints, changes of direction, and quick
offensive actions, which can be developed together with other players such as
the pivots.
Regarding the performance in motor tests, the main hypotheses were the
possibility of performance varying according to the higher or lower requirement
for a certain motor skill in the position, and that the anthropometric
variables could be sensitive to explain differences in performance. In this
sense, significant differences were found in the agility test, with the pivots
presenting a worse time in the T-test compared to the backs. In addition, negative
correlations were found between BFM, FM, and performance in the T-test, SBJ,
SJ, and CMJ.
Unlike anthropometric aspects, few studies in the literature have
investigated motor performance considering game positions [12,13,26]. Chaouachi et al. [12] analyzed 21 professional
handball players of elite level and pointed out that there were no significant
differences in motor performance (i.e., jumping, sprint, upper and lower limbs
strength, throw speed and aerobic power) between goalkeepers, backs, pivots and
wings. On the other hand, Massuça et al. [26]
recently demonstrated, in a sample composed of 161 handball players, including
professionals and non-professionals subdivided by position, significant
differences in the 30 m sprint test, MP of the lower limbs, and handgrip
strength. Therefore, according to the authors, motor performance may also vary
depending on the game position. Thus, it is possible that in the present study
the reduced sample number may have provided a low statistical power to observe
significant differences between the game positions for the other variables (10
m, SBJ, CMJ, SJ, MP, and RP).
Regarding the correlation data, Dellagrana et
al. [27] and Mota and Virtuoso Junior [28] found
results like those of the current study, but in young handball players and
university students, respectively. Dellagrana et
al. [26] identified an inverse relationship between the BFM and SBJ (r =
-0.42), and a positive relationship between the BFM and time in the Shuttle run
test (r = 0.61). Mota and Virtuoso Junior [27] found
an inverse relationship between BFM and maximum oxygen consumption (r = -0.55),
estimated from the Balke test performed on a bicycle.
Thus, the correlation of the results of this study with the data available in
the literature shows that anthropometric variables have an influence on motor
performance, and that the magnitude seems to be dependent on the test employed.
Muscle tissue produces strength actively during the process of muscle
contraction, through the cross bridges (formed by the myofibrils actin and
myosin), contributing to the performance of motor gestures. Adipose tissue, on
the other hand, is not able to produce strength actively, therefore, it is
possible that the excess body fat from the pivots may have prejudice the
physical performance during the T-test, mainly due to the significant
correlations found for FM and BFM, and the fact that the pivots demonstrated
higher values than the other positions in these two variables. In addition, the
fact that there are no significant differences in RP between positions,
suggests that even players with higher levels of FM and BFM, such as pivots,
maintained a good rate of muscle power/body weight, allowing similar
performances in tests with high demands on motor strength and velocity (e.g.,
10 m sprint, vertical jump, and standing broad jump).
In summary, based on the results found and on the studies,
although only specific differences were found in the performance for the
agility test, there is the possibility that performance may be altered
depending on the game position. In addition, the influence of anthropometric
variables on motor performance was identified, with the magnitude appearing to
be dependent on the motor test used.
As a limitation of the study, our experimental design involved only
analyses using motor tests, which has few implications for the actions that
occur during the context of the game, especially with respect to the movements
of the SBJ, CMJ, and SJ tests, which can be considered as general and not
specific in relation to the sport modality. In addition, the measurement
instruments used (e.g., jumping mat, stopwatch) despite having low
methodological complexity and high practical application for athletes and
coaches, present large systematic measurement errors. Therefore, it is
suggested that more robust analyses of physical and tactical performance by
game position should be performed, using better measurement instruments and
that include the analysis of displacement patterns during a handball game.
The findings of this study suggest that for adult handball players of
amateur level, anthropometric characteristics vary depending on the game
position. The results showed that the pivots have higher BM, FM, and BFM when
compared to backs and wings, and that pivots and backs are the tallest players
on the team.
Motor performance also varied between positions, and it was found that
backs achieved better T-test performance when compared to pivots, while no
significant differences were observed in the other motor tests (10 m, SBJ, CMJ,
SJ, MP, and RP). Finally, moderate correlations were found between FM and BFM
with performance in the T-test, SJ, CMJ, and SBJ, which suggests that these
factors influence, even if in a small measure, motor performance.
Potential
conflict of interest
The
authors declare that there is no conflict of interest associated with the
present study.
Financing
source
There
were no external sources of funding for the realization of this study.
Authors'
contributions
Conception
and design of the research: Oliveira LP and Puggina
EF. Data collection: Oliveira LP, Vieira LHP, Gonçalves LGC. Analysis and
interpretation of data: Oliveira LP, Andrade VL. Statistical analysis: Oliveira
LP, Aquino RLQT. Writing of the manuscript: Oliveira LP. Critical revision of
the manuscript for important intellectual content: Oliveira LP, Andrade VL,
Vieira LHP, Aquino RLQT, Gonçalves LGC, Menezes RP, Puggina
EF.