Physical fitness among elite female football and handball players

This study examined the differences in physical fitness between elite female football and handball players competing at the highest level. A total of 38 athletes participated, divided into two groups: football players (N = 20) and handball players (N = 18). Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and motor abilities, including speed, agility, and explosive strength, were assessed using standardized tests. The results revealed significant differences in body composition, with handball players being taller (173.6 ± 4.7 cm vs. 165.7 ± 4.7 cm, p = .00) and heavier (69.7 ± 10.9 kg vs. 60.9 ± 8.0 kg, p = .00), while football players had a higher percentage of muscle mass (42.9 ± 3.4% vs. 32.2 ± 2.7%, p = .00) and lower body fat (22.4 ± 6.1% vs. 27.6 ± 6.0%, p = .01). Regarding physical performance, football players outperformed handball players in agility, particularly in the zig-zag test (5.74 ± 0.32 s vs. 6.08 ± 0.38 s, p = .00). Conversely, handball players demonstrated superior explosive strength, as evidenced by better results in the countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJa: 32.5 ± 5.0 cm vs. 28.8 ± 3.4 cm, p = .01). No significant differences were found in sprint performance over 10m (1.84 ± 0.16 s vs. 1.89 ± 0.12 s, p = .25), 20m (3.35 ± 0.22 s vs. 3.33 ± 0.18 s, p = .78), and 30m (4.66 ± 0.20 s vs. 4.75 ± 0.24 s, p = .20). These findings highlighted the influence of sport-specific demands on athletes’ physical profiles and motor abilities. Understanding these differences could assist coaches in designing targeted training programs to optimize performance and address specific fitness needs. Future research should incorporate a larger sample size and explore additional physiological and biomechanical variables to further elucidate the distinctions between these two sports.