POSITION-SPECIFIC BODY COMPOSITION DIFFERENCES IN ELITE HANDBALL ATHLETES
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Oct 14, 2025
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Ameur Chafa
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1331-1491
Said Yahiaoui
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0550-2052
Abdelhafid Kadri
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4318-3260
Mahdi Mohammedi
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0890-7885
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1331-1491
Said Yahiaoui
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0550-2052
Abdelhafid Kadri
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4318-3260
Mahdi Mohammedi
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0890-7885
Abstract
This study aims to analyze position-specific body composition differences among elite handball athletes. A descriptive methodology was employed, involving a sample of 19 players from the Algerian national elite league team, WA Ain Touta. The sample was divided into five playing positions: goalkeepers (3), center backs (4), wings (6), backs (4), and pivots (2). The InBody770 device was used to measure various body composition parameters with high precision. The results revealed statistically significant differences in skeletal muscle mass, and intracellular and extracellular water levels across playing positions. Pivots showed the highest values in several metrics compared to other positions, such as wings and backs. However, no significant differences were observed in fat percentage, body mass index, or visceral fat. These findings highlight the influence of playing position on body composition in elite handball players, emphasizing the importance of tailored physical conditioning programs for each position.
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Keywords
Playing Positions, Body Composition, Elite Handball
References
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14. Lijewski, M., Burdukiewicz, A., Pietraszewska, J., Stachoń, A., Andrzejewska, J., & Chromik, K. (2019). Anthropometric and strength profiles of professional handball players in relation to their playing position: Multivariate analysis. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 21(4), 147–155.
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16. Milanese, C., Piscitelli, F., Lampis, C., & Zancanaro, C. (2011). Anthropometry and body composition of female handball players according to competitive level or the playing position. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(12), 1301-1309.
17. Milanese, C., Piscitelli, F., Lampis, C., & Zancanaro, C. (2011). Anthropometry and body composition of female handball players according to competitive level or the playing position. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(12), 1301-1309.
18. Masanovic, B. (2019). Comparative study of morphological characteristics and body composition between different team players from Serbian junior national league: Soccer, handball, basketball, and volleyball. International Journal of Morphology, 37(2), 612-619.
19. Martínez-Rodríguez, A., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., Martínez-Olcina, M., Vicente- Martínez, M., Miralles-Amorós, L., & Sánchez-Sáez, J. A. (2021). Study of physical fitness, bone quality, and Mediterranean diet adherence in professional female beach handball players: Cross-sectional study. Nutrients, 13(6), 1911.
20. Massuca, L., Branco, B., Miarka, B., & Fragoso, I. (2015). Physical fitness attributes of team-handball players are related to playing position and performance level. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, e24712.
21. Michalsik, L. B., Madsen, K., & Aagaard, P. (2015). Technical match characteristics and influence of body anthropometry on playing performance in male elite team handball. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(2), 416–428.
22. Nikolaidis, P., Ingebrigtsen, J., Póvoas, S., Moss, S. L., & Torres-Luque, G. (2015). Physical and physiological characteristics in male team handball players by playing position – Does age matter? The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 55(4), 297-304.
23. Niazi, I. (2020). Body composition analysis: A surge demand for sports rehabilitation. Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation, 9(1), 47-50.
24. Pueo, B., Espina-Agullo, J. J., Sellés-Pérez, S., & Penichet-Tomás, A. (2020). Optimal body composition and anthropometric profile of world-class beach handball players by playing positions. Sustainability, 12(17), 6789.
25. Ramos-Campo, D. J., Martínez-Sánchez, F., Esteban-García, P., Rubio-Arias, J. A., Bores, C. A., Clemente-Suárez, V. J., & Jiménez-Díaz, J. F. (2014). Body composition features in different playing positions of professional team indoor players: Basketball, handball, and futsal. International Journal of Morphology, 32(4), 1316-1324.
26. Silva, A. M., Fields, D. A., Heymsfield, S. B., & Sardinha, L. B. (2011). Relationship between changes in total-body water and fluid distribution with maximal forearm strength in elite judo athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25, 2488-2495.
27. Smith, A., & Jones, B. (2020). Physical demands and performance in handball: A review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(3), 207-218.
28. Srhoj, V., Marinović, M., & Rogulj, N. (2002). Position specific morphological characteristics of top-level male handball players. Collegium Antropologicum, 26(1), 219-227.
29. Schwesig, R., Hermassi, S., Fieseler, G., Irlenbusch, L., Noack, F., Delank, K. S., & others. (2017). Anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of professional handball players: Influence of playing position. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57, 1471–1478.
30. Sporis, G., Vuleta, D., Vuleta, D., & Milanović, D. (2010). Fitness profiling in handball: Physical and physiological characteristics of elite players. Collegium Antropologicum, 34, 1009–1014.
31. Silva, A. M., Santos, D. A., Matias, C. N., Rocha, P. M., Petroski, E. L., Minderico, C. S., & Sardinha, L. B. (2012). Changes in regional body composition explain increases in energy expenditure in elite junior basketball players over the season. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112, 2727–2737.
32. Serra-Prat, M., Lorenzo, I., Palomera, E., & others. (2019). Total body water and intracellular water relationships with muscle strength, frailty, and functional performance in an elderly population: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 23, 96–101.
33. Ubago-Guisado, E., Gómez-Cabello, A., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., García-Unanue, J., & Gallardo, L. (2015). Influence of different sports on bone mass in growing girls. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(16), 1710-1718.
34. Wagner, H., Finkenzeller, T., Würth, S., & von Duvillard, S. P. (2014). Individual and team performance in team-handball: A review. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 13(4), 808-816.
35. Zouch, M., Jaffré, C., Thomas, T., Frère, D., Courteix, D., Vico, L., & Alexandre, C. (2008). Long-term soccer practice increases bone mineral content gain in prepubescent boys. Joint Bone Spine, 75(1), 41-49.
2. Bon, M., Pori, P., & Šibila, M. (2015). Morphological characteristics of female handball players. Collegium Antropologicum, 39(3), 631-639.
3. Bongiovanni, T., Tinsley, G., Martera, G., Orlandi, C., Genovesi, F., Puleo, G., Rossi, A., & Trecroci, A. (2022). Regional lean soft tissue and intracellular water are associated with changes in lower-body neuromuscular performance: A pilot study in elite soccer players. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 12, 882-892.
4. Bedogni, G., Mussi, C., Malavolti, M., Borghi, A., Poli, M., Battistini, N., & Salvioli, G. (2002) Relationship between body composition and bone mineral content in young and elderly women. Annals of Human Biology, 29(5), 559-565.
5. Doe, J., Roe, R., & Lyle, S. (2021). The impact of morphological characteristics on performance in elite athletes. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(5), 678-689.
6. Ghobadi, H., Rajabi, H., Farzad, B., Bayati, M., & Jeffreys, I. (2013). Anthropometry of world-class elite handball players according to the playing position: Reports from Men’s Handball World Championship 2013. Journal of Human Kinetics, 39(1), 213-220.
7. Ghobadi, H., Rajabi, H., Farzad, B., Bayati, M., & Jeffreys, I. (2013). Anthropometry of world-class elite handball players according to the playing position: Reports from Men’s Handball World Championship 2013. Journal of Human Kinetics, 39, 213–220.
8. Haugen, T. A., Tønnessen, E., & Seiler, S. (2016). Physical and physiological characteristics of male handball players: Influence of playing position and competitive level. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 56(1-2), 19- 26.
9. Kinkorová, I., Brožová, E., & Komarc, M. (2020). Somatic characteristics and body composition in Czech sub-elite female handball players. AUC Kinanthropologica, 56(2), 128-133.
10. Krüger, K., Pilat, C., Uckert, K., Frech, T., & Mooren, F. C. (2014). Physical performance profile of handball players is related to playing position and playing class. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(1), 117-125.
11. Karcher, C., Ahmaidi, S., & Buchheit, M. (2014). Body dimensions of elite handball players with respect to laterality, playing positions, and playing standard. Journal of Athletic Enhancement, 3(1).
12. Jurisic, M. V., Jaksic, D., Maricic, S., Obradovic, A., & Obradovic, J. (2024). Small- sided games vs. high-intensity interval training on body composition of female handball players. International Journal of Morphology, 42(3), 749-755.
13. Lahav, Y., Goldstein, N., & Gepner, Y. (2020). Comparison of body composition assessment across body mass index categories by two multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis devices and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in clinical settings. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75(8), 1-8.
14. Lijewski, M., Burdukiewicz, A., Pietraszewska, J., Stachoń, A., Andrzejewska, J., & Chromik, K. (2019). Anthropometric and strength profiles of professional handball players in relation to their playing position: Multivariate analysis. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 21(4), 147–155.
15. Massuça, L., & Fragoso, I. (2015). Morphological characteristics of adult male handball players considering five levels of performance and playing position. Collegium Antropologicum, 39(1), 109-118.
16. Milanese, C., Piscitelli, F., Lampis, C., & Zancanaro, C. (2011). Anthropometry and body composition of female handball players according to competitive level or the playing position. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(12), 1301-1309.
17. Milanese, C., Piscitelli, F., Lampis, C., & Zancanaro, C. (2011). Anthropometry and body composition of female handball players according to competitive level or the playing position. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(12), 1301-1309.
18. Masanovic, B. (2019). Comparative study of morphological characteristics and body composition between different team players from Serbian junior national league: Soccer, handball, basketball, and volleyball. International Journal of Morphology, 37(2), 612-619.
19. Martínez-Rodríguez, A., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., Martínez-Olcina, M., Vicente- Martínez, M., Miralles-Amorós, L., & Sánchez-Sáez, J. A. (2021). Study of physical fitness, bone quality, and Mediterranean diet adherence in professional female beach handball players: Cross-sectional study. Nutrients, 13(6), 1911.
20. Massuca, L., Branco, B., Miarka, B., & Fragoso, I. (2015). Physical fitness attributes of team-handball players are related to playing position and performance level. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, e24712.
21. Michalsik, L. B., Madsen, K., & Aagaard, P. (2015). Technical match characteristics and influence of body anthropometry on playing performance in male elite team handball. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(2), 416–428.
22. Nikolaidis, P., Ingebrigtsen, J., Póvoas, S., Moss, S. L., & Torres-Luque, G. (2015). Physical and physiological characteristics in male team handball players by playing position – Does age matter? The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 55(4), 297-304.
23. Niazi, I. (2020). Body composition analysis: A surge demand for sports rehabilitation. Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation, 9(1), 47-50.
24. Pueo, B., Espina-Agullo, J. J., Sellés-Pérez, S., & Penichet-Tomás, A. (2020). Optimal body composition and anthropometric profile of world-class beach handball players by playing positions. Sustainability, 12(17), 6789.
25. Ramos-Campo, D. J., Martínez-Sánchez, F., Esteban-García, P., Rubio-Arias, J. A., Bores, C. A., Clemente-Suárez, V. J., & Jiménez-Díaz, J. F. (2014). Body composition features in different playing positions of professional team indoor players: Basketball, handball, and futsal. International Journal of Morphology, 32(4), 1316-1324.
26. Silva, A. M., Fields, D. A., Heymsfield, S. B., & Sardinha, L. B. (2011). Relationship between changes in total-body water and fluid distribution with maximal forearm strength in elite judo athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25, 2488-2495.
27. Smith, A., & Jones, B. (2020). Physical demands and performance in handball: A review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(3), 207-218.
28. Srhoj, V., Marinović, M., & Rogulj, N. (2002). Position specific morphological characteristics of top-level male handball players. Collegium Antropologicum, 26(1), 219-227.
29. Schwesig, R., Hermassi, S., Fieseler, G., Irlenbusch, L., Noack, F., Delank, K. S., & others. (2017). Anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of professional handball players: Influence of playing position. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57, 1471–1478.
30. Sporis, G., Vuleta, D., Vuleta, D., & Milanović, D. (2010). Fitness profiling in handball: Physical and physiological characteristics of elite players. Collegium Antropologicum, 34, 1009–1014.
31. Silva, A. M., Santos, D. A., Matias, C. N., Rocha, P. M., Petroski, E. L., Minderico, C. S., & Sardinha, L. B. (2012). Changes in regional body composition explain increases in energy expenditure in elite junior basketball players over the season. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112, 2727–2737.
32. Serra-Prat, M., Lorenzo, I., Palomera, E., & others. (2019). Total body water and intracellular water relationships with muscle strength, frailty, and functional performance in an elderly population: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 23, 96–101.
33. Ubago-Guisado, E., Gómez-Cabello, A., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., García-Unanue, J., & Gallardo, L. (2015). Influence of different sports on bone mass in growing girls. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(16), 1710-1718.
34. Wagner, H., Finkenzeller, T., Würth, S., & von Duvillard, S. P. (2014). Individual and team performance in team-handball: A review. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 13(4), 808-816.
35. Zouch, M., Jaffré, C., Thomas, T., Frère, D., Courteix, D., Vico, L., & Alexandre, C. (2008). Long-term soccer practice increases bone mineral content gain in prepubescent boys. Joint Bone Spine, 75(1), 41-49.
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Chafa, A., Yahiaoui, S. ., Kadri, A. ., & Mohammedi , M. . (2025). POSITION-SPECIFIC BODY COMPOSITION DIFFERENCES IN ELITE HANDBALL ATHLETES. Physical Education and Sport Through The Centuries, 12(2), 107–122. https://doi.org/10.5937/spes2502107C
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