Comparison of Ball Throwing Velocity, Anaerobic Power and Some Anthropometric Characteristics of Team Handball Female Players in Terms of Playing Position

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to compare ball throwing velocity (BTV), counter movement jump (CMJ), anaerobic power, and some anthropometric characteristics among young and senior national female handball players (n: 54; age: 21.90 yrs). Methods: Elite female handball players, who play in different playing positions (19 playmakers, 18 pivot and 17 wing) voluntarily participated in the study. Data were analysed in terms of BTV, CMJ, anaerobic power and some anthropometric characteristics (waist circumference, body mass index, arm span and hand length). Results: Data were statistically described, and ANOVA test was used for the comparison. As a result of statistical analysis, there is no significant difference in waist circumference, anaerobic power, CMJ, hand length and mean BTV values (p>0.05). On the other hand, there is a significant difference between playing positions in the BMI, and arm span values (p<0.05). The results of the study show that there is a significant difference between the wing players and the pivot players in terms of body mass index (BMI) values in favour of wing players (21.12, 22.97 respectively). There is a significant difference in the arm span length values between the playmakers and wing players in favour of the playmakers (173.52 cm, 164.88 cm respectively). There is no difference in BTV, CMJ, anaerobic power, waist circumference, and hand length values. Conclusion: As a result, there are significant differences in some anthropometric characteristics among the elite female national handball players in the playing positions. These information might be helpful for the assessment and evaluation of talents and may help to develop and optimize position-specific training regimes and identification of talents.