Positional differences in anthropometric characteristics of the Croatian U18 female field handball players

The aim of the study was to analyze positionaldifferences in anthropometric characteristics of 48 Croatian selected female handballjuniors (average age 18.43 years) who played in three positions: backs (B;n=19), wings (W; n=7) and pivots (P; n=6). Twenty-four anthropometric measures, defining the four latentmorphological dimensions, were used. Globally, significant differences were revealedby means of ANOVA in 11 morphological measures (7 at p≤.01 and 4 at p≤.05)between the three groups of female juniors with no significant differences inlongitudinal dimensions. Only one significant positional difference was foundbetween pivots and backs (in the lower leg skinfold in favour of pivotssuggesting a higher body fat percentage. Between wings and pivots nosignificant differences were found in longitudinal body dimensions; however,the measures of skeletal transversality,voluminosity and partially of fatty tissue (two variables) corroborated thefundamental difference between these two positions: pivotsʼ body built was morerobust. No significant differences were found in longitudinal and almost alltransversal measures between backs and wings; however, the differences in bodyvoluminosity (all in favour of backs) were probably due to the selectionprocess. In the juniorsʼ somatotype (3.72‒3.49‒2.32),endomorph and mesomorph components were predominant over the ectomorphcomponent, in which the lowest values were obtained from the players in all thethree positions. It is of outmost importance that handballpractitioners should work on the reduction of players’ percentage ofsubcutaneous fatty tissue and on the enhancement of the portion of activemuscle mass in their body composition by the implementation of quality sportstraining programmes and changes in dietary habits if better game performanceand sports achievements of the Croatian junior female handball players areexpected.