The Relationship between Body Composition and Physical Fitness Performance in Handball Players

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between body composition and physical fitness performance of female handball players aged 15-17. 103 female athletes who play handball in various schools in the city of Ankara in the star and youth categories volunteered to participate in the study. The athletes' body height, body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage, upper body fat percentage were measured with the Tanita (BC-418) body analysis device. The right-left hand grip strength test was carried out with Takei grip-D strength dynamometer, vertical jump and standing long jump tests were carried out with Takei jump meter and throwing medicine ball with both hands test was carried out with a 5 kg. medicine ball and the 30 m speed test were carried out with photocell (New Test 2000). The data were evaluated with the SPSS 16 statistics software, Pearson Correlation Test was carried out in the statistical analysis and the significance level was determined as p<0,05. Statistically, a positive relationship was determined between the body composition of the athletes and their right-left hand grip strength and body muscle mass and all physical fitness performances and a negative relationship was determined between body fat percentage and all physical fitness parameters (p<0.05). As a result, it was determined that body composition of handball players in this age group affects physical fitness performance.