Comparative analysis of the body composition and physical condition of school age sports players of handball, swimming and karate

Abstract

During the last few years, a huge amount of studies have showed that the anthropometric parameters of sportsmen are key factors for success in sports. The main goal of this study was to analyse the possible anthropometric differences among young sportsmen who play handball, swim or do karate as well as the differences between sports and categories (infantile and cadet) and the evolution in each category. The sample consisted of 6 groups each one having 15 sportsmen (handball, swimming and karate). Results shows significant differences of body composition and physical condition between sports (p<0.05; p<0.01) and between categories of the same sport (p<0.05; p<0.01). In conclusion, sports influence in determinated anthropometric characteristics as weight, fat percentage, muscular percentage and somatotype of their players and develops specific parameters of physical condition own of each sports.