Anthropometric characteristics vary by game position and demonstrate correlation with motor performance in handball

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 twenty three 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.