Evaluation of Morphological Characteristics and Motor Abilities of Strength, Speed and Agility in Selected Team Handball Athletes 19-21 Years Old

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to measure and to compare the morphological characteristics and motor abilities of strength, speed and agility, between selected team handball players from Yugoslavia and Greece 19-21 years old. The measurements for Greece was done just before the participation for the preliminary games of European championship, while for Yugoslavia just before participate at the finals of World Championship. Participants were Greek athletes (n=21) 20±5 years old, and Yugoslavian athletes (n=20) 19 ± 4 years old. The examinations contained measurements for morphological characteristics and motor abilities of strength, speed and agility in accordance with International measurements and instruments. The results showed that Yugoslavian players had a significant statistic difference than Greek players in all morphological characteristics (p<0.05) and in motor abilities of strength (especially in lower limbs), of repetition speed in upper limbs, of sprint 10 m. and of agility. In conclusion results of the study showed that Yugoslavian lay emphasis on some morphological characteristics and on the development of specific motor abilities (strength-speed-agility). It is possible the success for Yugoslavian teams in World and Olympic tournaments owing to high morphological index and to the development of these specific motor abilities.