Author(s): ALNEAMA, A., WAGNER, W., BOUHAFS, G., HERMASSI, S., Institution: ALARABI HAND BALL CLUB, Country: QATAR, Abstract-ID: 1484

INTRODUCTION:
Team handball is a high-intensity, intermittent team sport that imposes diverse physical and physiological demands, which vary by playing position¹,². Understanding the anthropometric profiles and physical capabilities associated with each position is essential for optimizing performance, designing targeted training programs, and guiding talent identification. This study aimed to examine these characteristics in elite male handball players according to their playing positions.
METHODS:
During the in-season, 60 male players (age: 25.4 ± 3.2 years; body mass: 90.1 ± 12.2 kg; height: 1.85 ± 0.09 m; BMI: 25.3 ± 4.1 kg/m²) were categorized as Backs (n = 16), Wings (n = 16), Pivots (n = 16), and Goalkeepers (n = 12). Assessments included lower-body power (squat jumps [SJs] and countermovement jumps [CMJs]), sprint performance (15 m and 30 m), muscle volume of the upper and lower limbs, agility (T-Half change-of-direction test), and aerobic endurance (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test). Strength testing for the back half squat was performed using a one-repetition maximum (1RM) protocol to assess lower limb strength.
RESULTS:
Significant position effects were found for age (ηp² = 0.21) and BMI (ηp² = 0.20), with Pivots having higher BMI than Wings. Position also influenced body composition, with Pivots showing the largest bicipital skinfold thickness of the throwing arm (ηp² = 0.37) and thigh muscle volume (ηp² = 0.30). Backs exhibited the greatest upper-limb muscle mass, while Wings had the largest maximal thigh cross-sectional area. In performance tests, Wings excelled in sprinting (15 m: 2.22 ± 0.07 s; 30 m: 4.01 ± 0.12 s) and squat jump (43.1 ± 2.48 cm), whereas Pivots achieved the highest countermovement jump (45.1 ± 3.1 cm). Sprinting showed a pronounced position effect (15 m: ηp² = 0.71; 30 m: ηp² = 0.72), largely due to the lower performance of Goalkeepers. Backs demonstrated superior upper-limb power (medicine ball throw: 10.8 ± 0.80 m) and agility (5.62 ± 0.32 s), while Goalkeepers consistently recorded the lowest scores across most parameters. Significant positional effect was observed for the half squat (p < 0.001; ηp² = 0.41), indicating a large effect size. Post hoc analysis showed that backs performed significantly better in the half squat than wings (p < 0.001) and pivots (p = 0.041).
CONCLUSION:
In summary, male handball players showed clear positional differences in anthropometry, body composition, and physical performance. Pivots had greater muscle volumes and higher countermovement jumps, Wings excelled in sprinting and squat jumps, Goalkeepers performed lowest across most measures, and Backs outperformed others in the back half squat. These results underscore the importance of position-specific training to optimize competitive performance.
1Wagner H et al., Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Oct 16;7:1688078.
2García-Sánchez C et al., Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 14;20(4):3353.