Anthropometry and body composition of female handball players according to competitive level or the playing position

Abstract

Anthropometry and body composition were investigated in 43 female handball players from the Italian championships, grouped according to their competitive level (elite vs. sub-elite) or their playing position [goalkeeper (n = 7), back (n = 14), wing (n = 18), or pivot (n = 4)]. The anthropometry consisted of several circumferences, lengths, widths, and skinfold measurement at six sites; the regional and total body compositions were assessed by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, with a Bonferroni post-hoc test where needed. The results showed that elite players have significantly lower percentages of fat and higher bone mineral content than sub-elite as well as a clear tendency to accrue more lean mass, especially in upper limbs. Overall, the physical characteristics and body composition of handball players in Italy compared unfavourably with those in other countries, suggesting a need for improved selection and training. When playing position was included in the analysis of the whole group of handball players (n = 43) significant differences were found between the stature, mass, body mass index (BMI), several skinfolds, circumferences and lengths, and total body mineral mass, lean mass and fat mass of players in different positions. Post-hoc analysis suggests that players on the wing and in goalkeeper positions differed most from one another. These findings confirm and expand on previous data about the presence of anthropometric differences within playing positions in handball.     

Objectively measured physical activity,body composition and physical fitness: Cross-sectional associations in 9- to 15-year-old children

The aim of this study was to examine and quantify the cross-sectional associations of body composition (BC), physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) with physical fitness (PF) in children and adolescents. A sample of 594 Finnish students (56% girls), aged 9–15 (12.4?±?1.3 years) were selected for a study performed in 2013. The measurements of the Move! monitoring system for physical functional capacity were used to measure cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness and fundamental movement skills. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and ST were measured objectively with an accelerometer and BC by a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were calculated to represent height-adjusted BC. Associations were explored with a linear regression model. In general, FMI had statistically significant negative associations, while FFMI and MVPA had positive associations with PF. No statistically significant associations were observed between ST and PF. In general, FMI had the strongest association with PF, although some variation occurred with sex and PF component. However, associations were practically relevant only in 20-m shuttle run, push-up, curl-up and 5-leaps test. For example, approximately 5?kg increase in fat mass in 155?cm tall children was estimated to correspond to 8 laps in 20-m shuttle run. Similar increase in fat-free mass corresponded to +4 and +6 laps, and 10?min increase in daily MVPA +3 and +2 laps in 20-m shuttle run, in boys and girls, respectively. Understanding these associations is necessary when interpreting children’s PF and designing interventions.     

Association of physical fitness,body composition,cardiometabolic markers and adherence to the Mediterranean diet with bone mineral density in perimenopausal women. The FLAMENCO project

This study aimed to analyse the association of different components of physical fitness, body composition, cardiometabolic markers and the Mediterranean diet with bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal women, and to test which of these components are independently associated with BMD. The sample comprised 197 perimenopausal women (52.6 ± 4.5 years). Physical fitness was assessed with the “Senior Fitness Test” battery and the handgrip strength and Bruce tests. Fat and lean mass and BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We analysed the markers of metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein, and components of the Mediterranean diet. Handgrip muscle strength (β = 0.212, P = 0.005), body weight (β = 0.244, P = 0.001), BMI (β = 0.180, P = 0.011) and lean mass (β = 0.379, P < 0.001) were positively associated with BMD. No associations were observed between cardiometabolic markers or the Mediterranean diet with BMD (all P > 0.05). When all relevant indicators of BMD were simultaneously considered, lean mass was the only 1 showing an independent association with BMD (β = 0.392, P < 0.001), explaining 14% of the BMD variability. In conclusion, muscle strength might be a marker of BMD in perimenopausal women. However, lean mass was the only factor independently associated with BMD. Future research to determine whether increasing lean mass through specific exercise-based interventions contributes to increasing BMD is warranted.     

实力展望与备战启示:基于2020年东京奥运周期中日竞技实力分析

运用文献资料、比较分析、逻辑分析等方法,对2020年东京奥运周期中日两国参加世界大赛奥运项目竞赛成绩进行统计,分析东京奥运周期内两国竞技实力,展望东京奥运会两国金牌数目并提出我国备战启示。结果显示:东京奥运周期内中国和日本金、奖牌数量相比里约奥运会均有所增长,两国竞技实力差距先快速缩小后逐渐扩大;中国金牌、奖牌项目分布面较日本更广,中日两国除了重点夺金、夺牌项目以外,其他项目争夺点都较少且实力不稳定;东京奥运会中国可能获得34±5枚金牌,日本可能获得25±5枚金牌;我国备战东京奥运会要坚持改革创新备战、系统保障备战、科技助力备战、聚焦全球备战,促进备战工作由单一化向多元化发展,由个体服务向综合保障发展,由科技服务向科创动力发展,由国内备战向全球备战发展。