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Article

Toward an Anthropometric Pattern in Elite Male Handball

by
Florin Valentin Leuciuc
1,2,*,
Ileana Petrariu
1,2,
Gheorghe Pricop
1,2,
Dan Mihai Rohozneanu
3 and
Ileana Monica Popovici
4
1
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 13 University Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania
2
The Interdisciplinary Research Center for Human Motricity and Health Sciences, 13 Universitatii Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania
3
Department of Collective Games, Babes Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
4
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 30 Toma Cozma Street, 700554 Iasi, Romania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2839; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052839
Submission received: 13 January 2022 / Revised: 24 February 2022 / Accepted: 25 February 2022 / Published: 28 February 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Handball: Sport and Health)
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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.

1. Introduction

Currently, along with good sport preparation for elite athletes, the specific anthropometry indices are essential in order to achieve performance in top competitions in collective sports where others are also important: maturity status [1], capacity to be trained [2], body composition [3,4,5], somatotype [6,7,8], physiological performance characteristics [9], specific skills [10,11], playing position [12,13,14] and specifics of the sport branches [8,15,16,17,18].
In elite sport, the anthropometric indices have a major impact on performance [19,20,21,22] and additionally, there are other factors, such as the preparation level [23,24,25], specific preparation [26,27,28] and competition experience [29,30], that influence elite sport outcomes.
Handball has a complex character due to the acyclic movements and situations that appear asking players performing tasks according to the playing position both in attack and in defense. The modern handball game requires players to perform a high number of short, high-intensity specific actions. Based on these considerations, we can state that the features of anthropometric and motor particularities have a high degree of individualization according to the playing position, and it is interesting to determine how personal predispositions can compensate or substitute particular requirements of the playing position.
Somatic and skills indicators of the players can be essential in achieving certain tasks within the game, as in other game situations, they can be a barrier having a limited effect [31,32]. The anthropometric characteristics are determinant in order to efficiently apply the specific handball skills in competitions [33].
Body anthropometric profiles differ significantly among the playing positions in handball due to the specific tasks. From the anthropometric point of view, the wing players were found to be lighter (79.7–81.7 kg) and shorter (177.1–178.3 cm) than backcourt players (193.5–201.9 cm; 90.7–102.3 kg), goalkeepers (192.5–197.6 cm; 82.3–88.1 kg) and pivots (188.6–201.7 cm; 105–121.4 kg); pivots were heavier than centers (83.6–90.5 kg); backcourt players and pivots had higher muscular mass than wings; backcourt players had higher hand-grip values; and the line players (pivots) were the heaviest players.
The majority of elite handball players are part of the mesomorph and endomorph somatotypes; however, according to the playing positions, the backcourt players are mesomorph, wings and pivots showed an endomorph–mesomorph somatotype, and goalkeepers were in the ecto-endomorph somatotype zone [32,34,35]. The players having a higher skill level are usually taller, and their level of fat-free mass is higher, meaning more muscular mass and a better physiological level are required in modern elite handball in order to achieve performance [36,37,38].
From 1960 and 1970, there was information concerning the anthropometric characteristics of the elite handball players for each playing position, and, at least for weight, there are some differences compared to the current requirements [39]. In the study conducted by Taborsky, they presented data on anthropometric indices for players participating in the handball World Championships (W.C.) and Olympic Games (O.G.) in the 1970s and for W.C. and European Championships (E.C.) for the period 1998–2007. There is a visible but slight increase of height through the years, from an average of 184 cm in the 1970s to over 190 cm after the year 2000 [31].
A study concerning the anthropometric indices at senior handball teams participating in the competition E.H.F. Champions League, Final Four 2012 showed average values higher than in previous periods (height—192.48 cm, weight—94.63 kg and body mass index—25.51); however, there were only a small number of handball players (62) compared to O.G., W.C. and E.C., and it is important to mention that all of them are elite players of the best four teams in Europe and possibly of the world [40]. Another study conducted at W.C. in 2013 indicated the following values for anthropometric indicators for male handball players: height—190.10 ± 6.82 cm, weight—92.37 ± 9.80 kg and BMI—25.53 ± 2.09 [41].
Over time, there have been studies concerning physical characteristics of the male handball players with different numbers of participants and performance levels (national vs. elite) (Table 1).
In the studies with a small number of participants, the anthropometric data were collected directly by measuring handball players [42,43,44,45,46,47,48]. In the studies with a large number of subjects [41,49], the anthropometric data were obtained indirectly, without involving the researchers in the assessment process.
Based on the somatic requirements on high performance selection in handball, we can say that, in terms of height, only 25% of the population would meet the standard. The weight and the essential skills (coordination, speed and power) can compensate for a lower height [31]. The aim of this study is to identify the anthropometric patterns for each playing position by collecting data from elite male handball players.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Data Collection

This is a cross-sectional study where we use a descriptive analysis of the anthropometric indices of players at handball top competitions (E.C., W.C. and O.G.). The information concerning the anthropometric characteristics (weight and height) was collected from the EHF and IHF websites that present all information, including the team roster (age, anthropometric data, club and international matches). The data were obtained through an informative portal (EHF and IHF website; these two entities being the organizers of the competitions) without the necessary knowledge about the methodology of its collection in order to assess its reliability and validity [50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64].

2.2. Subjects

Our study collected data from 974 players participating at O.G., W.C. and E.C., as components of the teams ranked in the first four places at each competition. Each team had between 16 and 18 players listed for competition.
Inclusion criteria: male handball players from top-four ranked teams at O.G., W.C. and E.C. in the period 2004–2021. Exclusion criteria: female or male handball players from teams ranked out of the top four at O.G., W.C. and E.C. Due to the fact that this covers a period of 18 years, the data for the same player were used as long as he participated in these top handball competitions.

2.3. Statistics

Descriptive statistics were applied in order to identify the anthropometric patterns (height, weight and body mass index) for each playing position (wing, backcourt, center back, pivot and goalkeeper). The study collected information for almost 20 years (2004–2021). At O.G., there were 12 teams involved in the final stage; at W.C., 24 teams/32 teams (since 2021); and at E.C., the number rose from 16 to 24 teams (since 2020). The data were collected only from the players of the teams placed in the first four places at each analyzed competition.
To determine the anthropometric profile of the elite handball players for each playing position, we used descriptive statistics by applying the average, standard deviation, minimum value and maximum value for every indicator in order to identify the optimal patterns for elite handball players. We applied linear regression to find significant relationship between the variables used in our study using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. The coefficients for regression equation and tests of significance were the most important data obtained by applying this statistical method.

3. Results

Starting with O.G. 2004, data were collected for anthropometric characteristics of the male handball players who participated at O.G., W.C. and E.C. in order to identify the specific patterns for each playing position. We calculated the means for each parameter, standard deviation, minimum value and maximum value for each playing position and for all players. All collected data are presented in Table 2.
All the collected data allowed us to find useful information concerning anthropometric characteristics of the elite handball players for each playing position. The synthetic information for all analyzed competitions is presented in Table 3.
We applied linear regression to determine the significance of the collected data for the indicators used in our study for each playing position and for all players. The coefficients for regression used to identify the degree of significance are shown in Table 4. This statistical method was applied for a total of 18 situations. The statistical significance was achieved in 16 out of 18 situations: three for p < 0.05. 6 for p < 0.01, three for p < 0.001, and four for p < 0.0001. Statistical significance (Table 4) was not obtained only in two situations (both for goalkeepers).
In this context, we were able to identify the anthropometric pattern for each playing position, including all players as a whole by determining the lower and the upper limits for each of them (Table 5).

4. Discussion

The wings were shorter (average height—1.852 m, lower limit—1.80 m and upper limit—1.90 m) and also the lightest players (84.477 kg, minimum—79 kg and maximum—90 kg). The BMI average was 24.625, meaning they were normo-ponderal with a lower limit of 23.3 and an upper limit of 25.9. For all wing indicators, there were obtained statistical significance for p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 (Figure 1) [14,35,41,42,65,66].
Pivots (1.971 m average height, minimum—1.92 m and maximum—2.02 m) and backcourts (1.956 m, minimum—1.91 m and maximum—2.01 m) were the tallest and also the heaviest players, pivots—105.096 kg with accepted limits between 98 and 113 kg and backcourts—98.553 kg with optimal values between 92 and 105 kg. The average BMI for pivots was 27.207 and 25.588 for backcourts. For pivots, there was significance for p < 0.01 (height) and for p < 0.001 (weight and BMI) (Figure 1) [14,35,41,43,65,66].
Goalkeepers were close in value to pivots and backcourts (height average—1.944 m and accepted limits between 1.90 and 1.99 m, weight average—97.315 kg and optimal values between 90 and 104 kg and BMI average—25.745). At linear regression, we obtained statistical significance only for the BMI of goalkeepers (Figure 1) [14,35,45,48,65,66].
Backcourts were close in height to pivots (1.962 m), but lighter (98.553 kg) and the limits for BMI are between 24.2 and 27. The highest values of coefficients at linear regression were achieved at backcourts indicators (p < 0.0001) (Figure 1) [14,35,44,45,46,65,66].
Centerbacks are shorter than pivots, backcourts and goalkeepers but higher than wings with an average value of 1.903 m for height (limits between 1.85 and 1.95 m); the weight average was 92.697 kg (minimum—86 kg and maximum—99 kg); and the BMI average values was 25.609 (accepted range between 24.1 and 27.1). The level of significance for centerback indicators were for p < 0.01 (weight and BMI) and p < 0.001 (height) (Figure 1) [14,35,41,42,65,66].
The overall analysis of the pattern for a top handball player found that the average height was 1.926 m with optimal limits between 1.86 m and 2 m; the weight average was 95.28 kg with 86 to 105 kg accepted limits; and the average BMI was 25.677 with recommended limits between 24 and 27.3. We also obtained statistical significance for p < 0.001 (height) and p < 0.0001 (weight and BMI) (Figure 1) [14,47,48,49,67,68].
We consider the identified pattern in our study for each playing position valid as, in 16 out of 18 situations, we obtained statistical significance at linear regression, and the data were collected for a period of almost 20 years from 974 top male handball players (Figure 2).
Over time, the anthropometric pattern changes for each playing position compared to those in 1970 and 1980. The values for height and weight increased with an average value of 5%. The most important evolution trend was for pivots where the height increased by 7% and the weight by 20% [31,39].
Comparing the results to recent studies concerning the anthropometric pattern for top male handball players, there are no differences [32,35,40,67,68], and the players belonging to teams from the first half of the final ranking in top competitions are in the optimal limits for each indicator [41,58].
An interesting fact is that the pivots were the tallest (197 cm) and heaviest handball players (105 kg), as the backcourts (196 cm) are usually associated as the highest handball players. To identify the anthropometric pattern in our study, only players from the top four were included for each analyzed competition from the best male handball teams for period 2004–2021.
Every year, the I.H.F. awards the world’s best players; five goalkeepers, four centerbacks and two backcourts were nominated for the analyzed period. In that period of time, Nicola Karabatic and Mikkel Hansen were nominated three times. The world’s best players were in the limits of the anthropometric pattern identified in our study. The exception being the goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik, who exceeded the upper limits. This aspect confirms the validity of the anthropometric pattern determined by our study (Table 6).

5. Conclusions

The anthropometric pattern was found to evolve over time: the average height increased (1.4%) but less than the average weight (4.5%), thereby, influencing the average body mass index (2.7%). More weight in the case of elite handball players typically means more muscular mass required by the modern handball player in order to be effective in game actions during the competitions.
Anthropometric characteristics, including the body composition and the somatotype of the elite handball players, are specific to the playing position in order to allow them to efficiently act in competitions. Among these indicators, the specific preparation of handball players is essential to achieve competition goals and to be efficient in specific actions during the game.
The limitations of the study include access to data concerning only height and weight and indirect data collection from the official website of the International Handball Federation and European Federation. For the future, it will be important to collect data for other variables, such as the body composition, skinfold thickness and body circumference. Among other factors, the anthropometric pattern is essential when a coach wants to select a player for his team, and it is optimal to choose a player that meets these requirements concerning anthropometric patterns.
The novelty of our study is that we identified an anthropometric pattern for each playing position and for all teams in elite male handball, and our study covered a period of 18 years to give our results more accuracy and reliability. These identified patterns will be subject to change over time, and further studies are necessary in order to keep these anthropometric models updated.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.V.L., I.P., G.P., D.M.R. and I.M.P.; methodology, F.V.L., I.P., G.P., D.M.R. and I.M.P.; software, I.M.P.; validation, F.V.L. and G.P.; formal analysis, G.P. and D.M.R.; investigation, F.V.L. and I.M.P.; resources, F.V.L., I.P. and D.M.R.; data curation, F.V.L.; writing—original draft preparation, F.V.L., I.P. and D.M.R.; writing—review and editing, G.P. and I.M.P.; visualization, I.M.P.; supervision, G.P. and D.M.R.; project administration, F.V.L.; funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

The APC was funded by Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Ijerph 19 02839 g001a 550Ijerph 19 02839 g001b 550
Figure 1. The average values for anthropometric indicators for each playing position.
Figure 1. The average values for anthropometric indicators for each playing position.
Ijerph 19 02839 g001aIjerph 19 02839 g001b
Ijerph 19 02839 g002a 550Ijerph 19 02839 g002b 550
Figure 2. Linear regression model for anthropometric pattern indicators of the male handball players: (a)—height, (b)—weight and (c)—BMI.
Figure 2. Linear regression model for anthropometric pattern indicators of the male handball players: (a)—height, (b)—weight and (c)—BMI.
Ijerph 19 02839 g002aIjerph 19 02839 g002b
Table
Table 1. The average values of the anthropometric indices according to the previous studies (updated after Ziv G., Lidor R., 2009).
Table 1. The average values of the anthropometric indices according to the previous studies (updated after Ziv G., Lidor R., 2009).
Authors, Year Level/No. of ParticipantsHeight (cm)Weight (kg)BMI
Ghermănescu, Gogaltan, Jianu, Negulescu, 1983 [39]Elite/-1888624.36 1
Bayios et al., 2001 [42]National/15181 ± 683.1 ± 5.225.41 1
Gorostiaga et al., 2005 [43]Elite/15189 ± 895.2 ± 1326.66 1
Marques, Gonzalez-Badillo, 2006 [44]Elite/16184 ± 1384.8 ± 13.125.01 1
Asci, Acikada, 2007 [45]National/16185 ± 686.1 ± 8.925.17 1
Marques et al., 2007 [46]Elite/14182 ± 782.5 ± 12.224.92 1
Buchheit et al., 2009 [47]National/918178.423.97 1
Sibila, Pori, 2009 [48]National/78188.44 ± 5.4689.56 ± 8.4125.23 1
Leuciuc, 2012 [40]Elite/62192.4894.6325.51
Ghobadi, Rajabi, Farzad, Bayati, Jeffreys, 2013 [41]Elite/409190.10 ± 6.8292.37 ± 9.8025.53 ± 2.09
Michalsik, Madsen, Aagaard, 2015 [49]National/157188.7 ± 6.190.5 ± 7.925.42 1
Pireva, 2019 [50]National/133186.84 ± 5.9991.41 ± 10.3126.19 1
1 Data not presented in study and calculated by us.
Table
Table 2. The anthropometric indices for male handball players (2004–2021).
Table 2. The anthropometric indices for male handball players (2004–2021).
CompetitionPlaying Position /Anthropometric Indices/StatisticsWingsBackcourtsCenter BacksPivotsGoalkeepersOverall
O.G. 2004H(m)X ± S1.872 ± 0.0331.995 ± 0.0541.903 ± 0.0351.994 ± 0.0721.926 ± 0.0431.940 ± 0.069
MAX1.922.111.952.142.002.14
MIN1.821.861.841.901.851.82
W(kg)X ± S86.98 ± 4.833100.83 ± 7.88391.17 ± 4.104109.20 ± 14.1993.78 ± 3.45695.64 ± 10.3
MAX9511898132100132
MIN768887928976
BMIX + S24.84 ± 1.34425.33 ± 1.74125.19 ± 1.15427.52 ± 3.53925.29 ± 1.00025.41 ± 1.995
MAX26.8829.5028.0633.6727.1733.67
MIN22.6321.7923.9122.5524.1621.79
O.G. 2008H(m)X ± S1.834 ± 0.0481.941 ± 0.0261.899 ± 0.0431.970 ± 0.0451.950 ± 0.0341.913 ± 0.066
MAX1.911.991.972.042.002.04
MIN1.761.901.851.901.911.76
W(kg)X ± S83.86 ± 5.53197.13 ± 6.01992 ± 4.359104.1 ± 6.00895.88 ± 4.94193.93 ± 9.146
MAX11410798114105114
MIN958586979085
BMIX ± S24.94 ± 1.22425.79 ± 1.35025.52 ± 1.94326.82 ± 1.24525.21 ± 0.88325.67 ± 1.367
MAX27.17126.82428.02529.07926.2529.079
MIN23.73523.54622.93325.25023.46722.933
W.C. 2009H(m)X ± S1.816 ± 0.0431.964 ± 0.0471.898 ± 0.0491.951 ± 0.0431.954 ± 0.0451.913 ± 0.076
MAX1.922.101.972.022.012.10
MIN1.731.891.811.891.901.73
G(kg)X ± S79.06 ± 4.12397.86 ± 4.70492.00 ± 7.566100.9 ± 6.61997.63 ± 6.92792.47 ± 9.917
MAX85106100111109111
MIN728578919072
BMIX ± S23.97 ± 1.54225.38 ± 1.04125.54 ± 1.08526.49 ± 1.54525.58 ± 1.18925.26 ± 1.459
MAX26.39626.84626.59328.18927.52528.189
MIN21.26723.12923.80923.21223.46721.267
W.C. 2011H(m)X ± S1.856 ± 0.0631.950 ± 0.0291.895 ± 0.0571.951 ± 0.0401.951 ± 0.0511.914 ± 0.064
MAX2.002.001.962.002.002.00
MIN1.761.911.781.871.861.76
W(kg)X ± S83.17 ± 6.75896.88 ± 4.55991.36 ± 7.256103.7 ± 5.46198 ± 9.66193.32 ± 9.770
MAX98106100113119119
MIN739280989173
BMIX ± S24.14 ± 1.12825.48 ± 1.25125.43 ± 1.42427.25 ± 1.07825.73 ± 2.09625.47 ± 1.662
MAX25.66127.63328.03828.92829.75029.750
MIN22.53123.23222.81925.25223.46722.531
O.G. 2012H(m)X ± S1.854 ± 0.0731.982 ± 0.0621.924 ± 0.0521.953 ± 0.0431.929 ± 0.0471.928 ± 0.075
MAX2.002.101.982.032.002.10
MIN1.781.891.831.871.851.78
W(kg)X ± S88.25 ± 8.250103 ± 7.45895.43 ± 5.968102.8 ± 5.41295.38 ± 6.58996.98 ± 9.123
MAX102115102114110115
MIN759383939075
BMIX ± S25.68 ± 1.77026.22 ± 1.09725.77 ± 1.77026.95 ± 0.89725.64 ± 1.45326.10 ± 1.292
MAX27.72727.63328.66628.02527.70128.666
MIN23.14824.98422.99224.96723.46722.992
W.C. 2013H(m)X ± S1.847 ± 0.0471.976 ± 0.0771.911 ± 0.0491.978 ± 0.0341.950 ± 0.0571.933 ± 0.079
MAX1.932.121.982.032.012.12
MIN1.781.841.841.921.861.78
W(kg)X ± S83.65 ± 4.47199.23 ± 6.43689.63 ± 10.35108.3 ± 5.61099.13 ± 10.0395.73 ± 11.17
MAX90110100114119119
MIN7590741009074
BMIX ± S24.52 ± 1.14225.42 ± 1.63124.54 ± 2.33327.66 ± 1.36926.07 ± 2.05025.63 ± 1.941
MAX26.82729.87927.14729.67529.45529.879
MIN21.91422.47220.07425.25223.51420.074
E.C. 2014H(m)X ± S1.829 ± 0.0451.953 ± 0.0551.920 ± 0.0441.976 ± 0.0391.942 ± 0.0461.921 ± 0.072
MAX1.902.101.982.032.002.10
MIN1.781.841.861.921.881.78
W(kg)X ± S82.63 ± 5.12398.50 ± 7.28892.44 ± 10.44106.5 ± 6.07296.33 ± 5.87494.93 ± 10.49
MAX93110102114110114
MIN758574999274
BMIX ± S24.71 ± 0.98525.82 ± 1.66725.08 ± 2.57427.28 ± 1.34625.54 ± 1.27425.71 ± 1.775
MAX26.82730.84028.59729.11727.50030.840
MIN23.14823.66920.07425.25223.75020.074
W.C. 2015H(m)X ± S1.832 ± 0.0491.952 ± 0.04501.896 ± 0.0641.991 ± 0.0561.930 ± 0.0321.917 ± 0.075
MAX1.922.031.982.082.002.08
MIN1.771.831.801.921.891.77
W(kg)X ± S81.12 ± 6.31496.96 ± 6.77990.63 ± 8.088106.60 ± 7.76492.22 ± 3.52892.84 ± 10.62
MAX97107102120100120
MIN708280998770
BMIX ± S24.16 ± 1.43425.44 ± 1.66025.20 ± 0.94626.88 ± 1.43924.76 ± 0.73925.25 ± 1.626
MAX26.87028.78226.55129.11726.03529.117
MIN21.60520.87023.87224.75023.35620.870
E.C. 2016H(m)X ± S1.859 ± 0.0531.974 ± 0.0571.918 ± 0.0461.961 ± 0.0411.960 ± 0.0491.936 ± 0.067
MAX1.962.101.982.042.022.10
MIN1.781.871.821.911.891.78
W(kg)X ± S83 ± 3.30599 ± 7.14892 ± 4.837105.92 ± 7.292100 ± 11.9595.82 ± 10.28
MAX90115100121119121
MIN788885968078
BMIX ± S24.03 ± 1.52525.41 ± 0.96725 ± 0.92727.55 ± 2.60226.03 ± 2.37125.56 ± 1.963
MAX26.84127.80327.17133.16829.75033.168
MIN21.08523.42823.79624.2722.16121.085
O.G. 2016H(m)X ± S1.863 ± 0.0441.972 ± 0.0551.893 ± 0.0431.993 ± 0.0461.938 ± 0.0481.936 ± 0.067
MAX1.942.101.942.072.012.10
MIN1.791.861.841.921.861.79
W(kg)X ± S87.08 ± 4.071101.53 ± 7.01099.29 ± 7.566107.30 ± 5.59998.75 ± 5.44598.47 ± 9.078
MAX94115106118110118
MIN7992871009379
BMIX ± S24.92 ± 0.91626.11 ± 1.50927.71 ± 1.48827.01 ± 1.62826.31 ± 1.40326.26 ± 1.617
MAX26.5730.3529.9929.8428.0630.35
MIN24.9923.9625.7024.9924.9822.99
W.C. 2017H(m)X ± S1.840 ± 0.0441.962 ± 0.0491.881 ± 0.0731.976 ± 0.0361.922 ± 0.0451.923 ± 0.067
MAX1.922.041.972.022.012.04
MIN1.791.881.771.921.871.77
W(kg)X ± S84.50 ± 5.79897.17 ± 6.69791.29 ± 9.673107.75 ± 7.36398.88 ± 7.03995.80 ± 10.024
MAX93110107115112115
MIN748677959274
BMIX ± S24.96 ± 1.30425.24 ± 1.13325.79 ± 1.46027.59 ± 1.86326.75 ± 1.65825.90 ± 1.672
MAX26.84127.63327.85329.83930.06830.068
MIN22.8423.66923.57424.72924.98422.84
E.C. 2018H(m)X ± S1.881 ± 0.0661.943 ± 0.0471.914 ± 0.0401.965 ± 0.0511.956 ± 0.0541.930 ± 0.060
MAX2.022.031.962.052.022.05
MIN1.781.861.841.881.891.78
W(kg)X ± S87.41 ± 5.50196.83 ± 6.81394.00 ± 4.497104.62 ± 9.332100.30 ± 7.05696.11 ± 8.850
MAX100112104116115116
MIN788587889078
BMIX ± S24.72 ± 1.41525.63 ± 1.25525.66 ± 1.15627.10 ± 1.84226.22 ± 1.83725.79 ± 1.637
MAX28.0928.05828.0629.83929.11529.839
MIN22.87723.87224.19524.41424.26222.877
W.C. 2019H(m)X ± S1.872 ± 0.0541.966 ± 0.0611.913 ± 0.0351.974 ± 0.0411.958 ± 0.0451.935 ± 0.063
MAX1.982.121.962.032.012.12
MIN1.791.901.841.921.891.79
W(kg)X ± S86.25 ± 4.74098.26 ± 5.85895.50 ± 6.474104.64 ± 7.54198.50 ± 5.04396.32 ± 8.612
MAX97115109115105115
MIN789288909078
BMIX ± S24.62 ± 0.82925.43 ± 1.05426.11 ± 1.94726.87 ± 1.85725.71 ± 0.77225.72 ± 1.546
MAX25.9627.3330.8429.9426.7830.84
MIN22.9122.4723.9123.6724.7222.47
E.C. 2020H(m)X ± S1.861 ± 0.0481.965 ± 0.0441.888 ± 0.0601.961 ± 0.0391.967 ± 0.0671.928 ± 0.067
MAX1.932.031.972.022.062.06
MIN1.791.871.771.901.851.77
W(kg)X ± S85.56 ± 4.5698.38 ± 5.5189.82 ± 6.29105.25 ± 9.2698.56 ± 7.4495.26 ± 9.42
MAX9611099120110120
MIN799077908477
BMIX ± S24.73 ± 1.2325.47 ± 1.0825.17 ± 0.9527.35 ± 1.9925.46 ± 0.9125.58 ± 1.53
MAX27.4528.0627.1729.6827.1429.68
MIN22.7123.6724.1924.4124.2622.71
W.C. 2021H(m)X ± S1.862 ± 0.0481.942 ± 0.0371.893 ± 0.0331.970 ± 0.0441.931 ± 0.0661.921 ± 0.059
MAX1.972.021.962.042.032.04
MIN1.791.861.841.911.821.79
W(kg)X ± S84.630 ± 4.60996.731 ± 5.90393.900 ± 4.977107.867 ± 8.70996.833 ± 9.58195.634 ± 10.044
MAX92110105120120120
MIN788688958578
BMIX ± S24.43 ± 1.1525.65 ± 1.3226.22 ± 1.5027.78 ± 1.8525.96 ± 1.9925.87 ± 1.95
MAX27.1728.6329.7131.8031.5631.56
MIN21.7523.4724.9025.5024.2722.27
H—height. W—weight. BMI—body mass index. X—average. S—standard deviation. MAX—maximum value. MIN—minimum value.
Table
Table 3. Synthetic information for the anthropometric indices obtained in our study.
Table 3. Synthetic information for the anthropometric indices obtained in our study.
Playing Position/Anthropometric Indices/StatisticsWingsBackcourtsCenter BacksPivotsGoalkeepersTeam
H(m)X ± S1.852 ± 0.0511.962 ± 0.0501.903 ± 0.0481.971 ± 0.0461.944 ± 0.0481.926 ± 0.068
MAX2.002.121.982.142.062.14
MIN1.761.831.771.871.851.76
W(kg)X ± S84.477 ± 5.19998.553 ± 6.40492.697 ± 6.830105.096 ± 7.48297.315 ± 6.95395.280 ± 9.798
MAX114118106132120132
MIN708274888070
BMIX ± S24.625 ± 1.27825.588 ± 1.31725.609 ± 1.51027.207 ± 1.76225.745 ± 1.41725.677 ± 1.647
MAX27.72730.8430.8433.6731.5633.67
MIN21.08520.8720.07422.5522.16120.074
Table
Table 4. The significance of the anthropometric patterns for male elite handball players by applying linear regression.
Table 4. The significance of the anthropometric patterns for male elite handball players by applying linear regression.
Playing Position/Anthropometric Indices/StatisticsWingsBackcourtsCenter BacksPivotsGoalkeepersTeam
Height (m)t3.02 **6.17 ****5.54 ***3.98 **2.083.73 **
p0.0090.00010.0010.0030.0760.002
Weight (kg)t3.88 **5.20 ***3.50 **3.08 **1.746.18 ****
p0.0020.0010.0080.0090.130.0001
BMIt4.01 ***9.42 ****3.27 *2.88 *2.82 *8.30 ****
p0.0010.00010.0110.0160.0260.0001
Significance for * p < 0.05. ** p < 0.01. *** p < 0.001. **** p < 0.0001.
Table
Table 5. Anthropometric patterns for male elite handball players.
Table 5. Anthropometric patterns for male elite handball players.
Playing Position/Anthropometric IndicesWingsBackcourtsCenter BacksPivotsGoalkeepersTeam
Height (m)1.80–1.901.91–2.011.85–1.951.92–2.021.90–1.991.86–2.00
Weight (kg)79–9092–10586–9998–11390–10486–105
BMI23.3–25.924.2–2724.1–27.125.5–2924.3–27.224–27.3
Table
Table 6. Anthropometric characteristics for handball players designated by I.H.F. as world players of the year.
Table 6. Anthropometric characteristics for handball players designated by I.H.F. as world players of the year.
YearPlayerPlaying PositionAnthropometric Data
HeightWeightBMI
2004Henning FritzGoalkeeper1.8990.525.34
2005Árpád SterbikGoalkeeper212030.00
2006Ivano BalićCenter back1.909626.59
2007Nikola KarabatićCenter back1.9610427.07
2008Thierry OmeyerGoalkeeper1.929325.23
2009Sławomir SzmalGoalkeeper1.909024.93
2010Filip JíchaLeft back2.0110525.99
2011Mikkel HansenLeft back1.929325.23
2012Daniel NarcisseCenter back1.899326.04
2013Domagoj DuvnjakCenter back1.9810025.51
2014Nikola KarabatićCenter back1.9610427.07
2015Mikkel HansenLeft back1.929325.23
2016Nikola KarabatićCenter back1.9610427.07
2018Mikkel HansenLeft back1.929325.23
2019Nikklas LandinGoalkeeper2.0110525.99
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Leuciuc, F.V.; Petrariu, I.; Pricop, G.; Rohozneanu, D.M.; Popovici, I.M. Toward an Anthropometric Pattern in Elite Male Handball. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 2839. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052839

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Leuciuc FV, Petrariu I, Pricop G, Rohozneanu DM, Popovici IM. Toward an Anthropometric Pattern in Elite Male Handball. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(5):2839. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052839

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Leuciuc, Florin Valentin, Ileana Petrariu, Gheorghe Pricop, Dan Mihai Rohozneanu, and Ileana Monica Popovici. 2022. "Toward an Anthropometric Pattern in Elite Male Handball" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 5: 2839. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052839

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