Body composition and motor performance in wheelchair handball

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between body composition and motor performance in Wheelchair Handball players (WH). Overall, 21 athletes composed the sample (13 males and 8 females). To analyze motor performance, the following tests were used: ball driving, block performance, 20 m velocity and zigzag agility for individuals on wheelchair. Body mass, height, body perimeter and skinfold thickness (tricipital, subescapular, bicipital and supra-iliac) were used to establish body composition profile. Data was presented through descriptive statistics and inference was performed by Spearmans’ and Kruskal-Wallis correlation coefficient (non-parametric). Therefore, strong and significant correlations between body composition and motor performance were detected within different functional class and also according to sex, whereas male athletes showed significant correlation between body fat percentage and agility (r=0.70, p?0.01) and, in the case of female athletes, body fat percentage is strongly related with speed (r=0.81, p?0.01) and agility (r=0.74, p?0.05). As conclusion, it was verified that apparently, increased body fat in body composition profile negatively influences motor performance in wheelchair handball players.