Relation between body composition and motor abilities of handball players: A systematic review

The aim of this review was to investigate the relationship between body composition and motor abilities in handball players by summarizing, analyzing, and evaluating relevant published studies. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify studies published between 2009 and 2022. Fifteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed in detail. Key information from each study—including first author and year of publication, sample characteristics (number, gender, and age), variables examined, and main findings—was presented in tabular format. The findings indicate that body composition is significantly associated with motor abilities. Specifically, increased body mass, body fat percentage, and body mass index negatively affect speed, agility, endurance, and explosive power, while positively influencing throwing performance. These results suggest that a comprehensive understanding of body composition and motor abilities is essential for optimizing handball player performance. This review expands upon previous knowledge and may serve as a valuable resource for talent identification and player selection in handball.