Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Discriminating Anthropometric Characteristics of Malaysian Youth Handball Players

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Jeffrey F.L. Low1 , Siti Musliha Mat-Rasid1 , Ruaibah Yazani Tengah1 , Normah Jusoh1 , Rabiu Muazu Musa2 and Norlaila Azura Kosni3

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to determine the morphological profile among youth handball players based on anthropometric measurements and identify the most significant variables that differentiated the players. The samples of 156 male and 157 female were obtained among Malaysian youth handball players, and its main tributaries were evaluated for anthropometric measurements (body weight, standing height, body mass index, leg length and arm span). Multivariate methods of Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were used to determine the groups and studied the variations of the most significant anthropometric variables. Three clusters of morphological characteristics (BS1, BS2 and BS3) in handball were shaped in view by HACA for male and female players. HACA assigned 41, 83 and 32 male players in BS1, BS2 and BS3 clusters, respectively. Meanwhile, a total of 63, 79 and 13 female players were assigned in BS1, BS2 and BS3 clusters, respectively. For male players, the percentage of classification correctness using standard mode is 97.44% with five significant variables (body weight, standing height, body mass index, leg length and armspan). Forward stepwise DA revealed 96.79% correctness with only two significant variables (body weight and arm span), while backward stepwise DA revealed 97.44% classification correctness with four significant variables out of five by removing leg length parameter. For female players, the classification correctness using standard mode is 93.63% with five significant (body weight, standing height, body mass index, leg length and armspan). Forward stepwise DA revealed 94.27% correctness with only two significant variables (body weight and arm span), while backward stepwise DA revealed 93.63% classification correctness with four significant variables out of five by removing also leg length parameter. Information on the physical characteristics of players can help coaches appointed the appropriate position according to their morphological profile category. This approach, in the long run, is beneficial to reduce the time, save manpower and make decisions scientifically.

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