Differences in Body Fat, Body Mass Index, and Physical Performance of Specific Field Tests in 10-to-12-Year-Old School-Aged Team Handball Players

Abstract

This study aimed to compare 10-to-12-year-old Qatari male athletes and assess body fat, body mass index, and physical fitness, as well as the difference of these measures between ages. Thirty-five youth handball players volunteered for the investigation and were divided into three groups: 12-year-old players (U12; n = 12), 11-year-old players (U11; n = 11), 10-year-old players (U10; n = 12). Anthropometry was assessed by body mass, body fat percentage (%BF), and body mass index (BMI). Measurements included the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), jumping ability (squat and countermovement jumps (SJ and CMJ, respectively)), and sprint tests (10 and 15 m). The power of the upper extremity was measured by a 2-kg overhead medicine ball throw for distance. Except for %BF (p = 0.387) and BMI (p = 0.070), all anthropometric and demographic parameters were different between age groups. The largest differences were found for body mass (p = 0.007) and body height (p = 0.008). Regarding fitness parameters, only the medicine ball throw (p = 0.022) was different between age groups (U10 vs. U12: p = 0.009; U11 vs. U12: p = 0.048). There was no difference between groups for jumping (CMJ: p = 0.586; SJ: p = 0.377), sprinting (10 m: p = 0.211; 15 m: p = 0.194) and Yo-Yo IR1 (p = 0.228). Body fat was the anthropometric parameter with the strongest relationship with physical performance in that lower body fat was related to superior jumping performance and sprint performance. In conclusion, except for %BF and BMI, all anthropometric parameters were different between U10, U11, and U12 handball players. For physical parameters, jumping, sprinting, and endurance performance were not different between age groups. From a practical perspective, coaches can use these findings as reference for the evaluation of their school-aged handball players, as well as for establishing performance goals.

Fitness, Fatness, and Academic Attainment in Male Schoolchildren from a Soccer Academy

“…To date, the majority of results from research support previously published results concerning the negative impact of high %BF on both aerobic and anaerobic fitness related components in 10- to 12-year-old school-aged team handball players in Qatar [ 41 ]. Previous reports confirm that correlations exist between fatness, physical fitness, and academic performance in pre-pubertal handball children in Qatar [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, kinanthropometric characteristics and physical performance of young male handball players

“…In this study, it was found that when the players were part of a category whose age range was older, most of the anthropometric characteristics also increased, with the exception of FM and ∑3-skinfolds, and that the results in the physical tests were better. Hermassi et al (2020) also found differences in all kinanthropometric parameters between age groups in handball players, with the exception of body fat percentage. However, for the physical tests, they found no significant differences, with the exception of upper limb power in the medicine ball throw test.…”

“…Handball is a complex, multifactorial, and high-contact team sport, in which different actions, movements or plays occur intermittently at very high intensity ( Martínez-Rodríguez et al, 2020 ). These periods alternate with brief moments of low intensity that serve as a recovery period before the next play ( Hermassi, Laudner & Schwesig, 2019 ; Hermassi et al, 2020 ). All these situations are influenced by the physical capabilities of the players themselves highlighting strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility ( Hammami et al, 2019 ; Molina-López et al, 2020 ).…”

Differences in body composition, static balance, field test performance, and academic achievement in 10–12-year-old soccer players

“…A large body of research has considered the extent to which educational performance predicts later-life body mass, and much research also focuses on the reverse causative relationship, concerning how body mass affects educational outcomes ( Hermassi et al, 2021a ; Hermassi et al, 2021b ; Hermassi et al, 2022 ). Physical fitness is typically correlated with improved global health, which associates with academic achievement in young athletes ( Hermassi et al, 2020b ; Hermassi et al, 2021a ; Hermassi et al, 2022 ).…”