The isometric exercise elbow plank and body composition in adolescent handball players

Main Article Content

Diomedes Augusto Garcia Hilares
Giancarlo Trelles Maldonado
Giancarlo Giusseppe Alvarado Castillo

Abstract

Introduction: To analyze the relationship between body composition (BMI, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass) and performance in the isometric elbow plank test in adolescents.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between body composition (BMI, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass) and performance in the isometric elbow plank test in adolescents.
Materials and methods: Thirty handball players aged 13–14 years participated. Body composition, body mass index, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass were measured, along with the elbow plank resistance time. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using R software (v4.4.1).
Results: In boys, a significant inverse relationship was found between elbow plank time and two adiposity indicators: BMI (r² = 29.3%) and body fat percentage (r² = 27.9%). Higher fat levels were associated with lower endurance. Fat-free mass showed no significant correlation. In girls, no significant correlations were found, although a slight trend was observed: higher fat linked to lower time, and more muscle to greater endurance. However, confidence intervals crossed zero, so the results are not statistically conclusive.
Conclusions: Excess body fat negatively affects core stability in boys. In girls, the relationship was unclear. These findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy body composition to optimize functional performance, prevent injuries, and tailor training to pubertal development.

Article Details

Section

Artículos Originales

How to Cite

The isometric exercise elbow plank and body composition in adolescent handball players. (2025). Sport and Science, 10(3), e332. https://doi.org/10.34982/

References

Ali, S., Azazy, M., & Nassef, S. (2022). Effect of core stability training on shoulder pain and range of motion in patients with impingement syndrome among manual operated hand workers. International Journal of Environmental Studies and Research, 1 (3), 262–273. https://doi.org/10.21608/ijesr.2022.297086

Bai, Y., Lü, L., Wang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2007). Comparison between handball university students and ordinary university students on body composition. Journal of Physical Education, 14(5), 99–102. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-2443.2007.05.023

Ballen, N. (2021). Comparación del test de plancha prona frente al test de McGill y análisis de reproducibilidad para medir el desempeño del core en deportistas universitarios [Tesis de maestría, Universidad Del Rosario]. Repositorio institucional. https://repository.urosario.edu.co/items/6d4defee-24b7-47b2-bc69-4f5a98db3952

Bauce, G. (2022). Índice de masa corporal, peso ideal y porcentaje de grasa corporal en personas de diferentes grupos etarios. Revista Digital de Postgrado, 11(1), 331. https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/esstylecolor/biblio-1417013

Boyer, C., Tremblay, M. S., Saunders, T. J., McFarlane, A., Borghese, M. M., Lloyd, M., & Longmuir, P. (2013). Feasibility, validity, and reliability of the plank isometric hold as a field-based assessment of torso muscular endurance for children 8–12 years of age. Pediatric Exercise Science, 25 (3), 407–422. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.25.3.407

Can, E., Harput, G., & Turgut, E. (2024). Shoulder and scapular muscle activity during low and high plank variations with different body-weight-bearing statuses. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38 (2), 245–252. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004622

Carrasco, F., Cornejo, S., Delgado, C., & Gajardo, S. (2021). Fórmula predictiva para estimar el porcentaje de grasa corporal a partir de mediciones antropométricas simples como método de facilitación en la práctica clínica. Revista Ecuatoriana de Nutrición Clínica, 1(1). https://senpeazuay.org.ec/ojs/index.php/renc/article/view/13/28

Carrero, C., Lastre, G., Alejandra, M., Ruiz, L., & Parody, A. (2020). Evaluación de la composición corporal según factor de riesgo de obesidad en universitarios. Revista Salud Uninorte, 36(1), 81–96. http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0120-55522020000100081

Choi, G., Choi, J., Kim, B., Jeong, H., & Kim, S. (2025). Plank variations and surface instability: A study on core muscle activation in males and females. Physical Therapy Korea, 32(1), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2025.32.1.83

Fallahasady, E., Rahmanloo, N., Seidi, F., Rajabi, R., & Bayattork, M. (2022). The relationship between core muscle endurance and functional movement screen scores in females with lumbar hyperlordosis: A cross-sectional study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(1), 182. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00567-2

Ferragut, C., Vila, H., Fernandez, J., & Saavedra, M. (2021). Efecto de la edad relativa en la élite del balonmano femenino español y su relación con aspectos antropométricos, de rendimiento y velocidad de lanzamiento. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 21(2), 213–226. https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?pid=S1578-84232021000200018&script=sci_abstract

Flores, V. (2021). Precisión de fórmulas antropométricas para estimar porcentaje de grasa vs estimación realizada con DEXA [Tesis de maestría, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León]. Repositorio institucional. http://eprints.uanl.mx/id/eprint/28465

Gál, A., Petró, B., Takács, M., Négyesi, J., Nagatomi, R., & Kiss, R. (2023). Compensatory muscle activation and spinal curve changes in response to fatigue among adolescent male athletes. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00668-6

Gálvez, E., Cifuentes, E., González, F., Bueno, D., Foster, P., & Inostroza, M. (2022). Efectos de una planificación de ejercicio concurrente de 12 semanas en niños, niñas y adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad. Andes Pediatrica, 93 (5), 658–667. https://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S2452-60532022000500658&script=sci_arttext

García, C., Navarro, R., Karcher, C., & de la Rubia, A. (2023). Physical demands during official competitions in elite handball: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (4), 33-53. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043353

Hannon, K. (2020). Muscle activation and perceived exertion during the sport specific endurance plank test [Master’s thesis, University of Toledo]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. https://www.proquest.com/openview/5770dd71687782c38ef04993c65f22e0/1

Henrique, J. R., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Fernandez, F. T. G., Castillo, D., Raya-González, J., Zmijewski, P., Silva, R. M., & Clemente, F. M. (2024). High-intensity interval training programs and their impact on endurance performance in handball players: A systematic review. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 16(1), 113–130. https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2024-0012

Karataş, M. (2024). Relationship between body mass index, dynamic balance, and core muscle endurance in firefighter candidates: A cross-sectional study. Sportive, 7(2), 145–165. https://doi.org/10.53025/sportive.1506321

Laguarta, S., Carratalá, M., Molina, F., Moreta, R., Fernández, D., López, R., Jiménez, C., Moreta, C., Fidalgo, A., Miangolarra, J., & Navarro, V. (2024). Effects of a plank-based strength training programme on muscle activation in patients with long COVID: A case series. Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra, 47(3). https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1137-66272024000300004&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es

Laurson, K. (2022). Designing health-referenced standards for the plank test of core muscular endurance. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 26(4), 344–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2021.2016409

Lasković, M. (2022). Influence of body composition on basic motor abilities in handball players. Facta Universitatis. Series Physical Education and Sport, 20(2) 113–121. https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES220410010L

Letelier, H., Salgado, P., Lagos, L., Merino, P., Miarka, B., Aedo, E., & Pérez, J. (2024). Asociación entre la composición corporal y el rendimiento en 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test en futbolistas profesionales adultas de Chile. Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud, 6(2), 139–150. http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2665-20562024000200139

Llamosas, R. (2020). Concordancia entre adiposidad establecida por bioimpedancia y fórmulas de estimación con medidas antropométricas [Tesis de maestría, Universidad Autónoma de México]. Repositorio institucional. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14330/TES01000817292

López, P., Chena, M., Asín, I., Moreno, A., & Moreno, R. (2020). Efecto de factores contextuales en la composición corporal de jugadores profesionales de fútbol. Un estudio retrospectivo. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 36(6), 1324–1331. https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0212-16112019000600015

Martínez, J., Dipierri, J., Bejarano, I., Quispe, Y., & Alfaro, E. (2018). Variación de la masa corporal grasa por antropometría y bioimpedancia en escolares jujeños. Revista Argentina de Antropología Biológica, *20*(1), 1–8. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3822/382253547005/html/

Mill, E., López, B., Rodríguez, M., & Azuara, M. (2020). Estimación de la grasa corporal en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y su relación con parámetros de control evolutivo: validación de la Fórmula de Palafolls en relación con la Fórmula de Deurenberg. Medicina General y de Familia, 9 (4), 184–191. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7737529

Mirwald, R., Baxter, A., Bailey, D., & Beunen, G. (2002). An assessment of maturity from anthropometric measurements. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(4), 689–694. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200204000-00020

Montes, C., Victoria, M., Pulgar, S., & Heres, M. (2025). Evaluation of the effects of strength training with elastic bands in young handball players. Systematic review. E-Balonmano Com Journal Sports Science, 21(1), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.17398/1885-7019.21.131

Noel, K. (2020). Muscle activation and perceived exertion during the sport specific endurance plank [Master’s thesis, University of Toledo]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/openview/5770dd71687782c38ef04993c65f22e0/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2020). Obesity and overweight. OMS. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Panidi, I., Donti, O., Konrad, A., Dinas, P., Terzis, G., Mouratidis, A., Gaspari, V., Donti, A., & Bogdanis, G. (2023). Muscle architecture adaptations to static stretching training: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00591-7

Ramos, P., Cárdenas, H., Gutiérrez, S., & Delgado, V. (2024). Composición corporal, hábitos alimentarios y actividad física en estudiantes universitarios. Lima-Perú. Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria, 44(2). https://revista.nutricion.org/index.php/ncdh/article/view/526

Román, E., Aballay, L., Dipierri, J., & Alfaro, E. (2022). Correlación y concordancia entre índice de masa corporal y grasa corporal en adolescentes residentes a distintos niveles altitudinales. Revista Argentina de Antropología Biológica, 24(1), 048. https://doi.org/10.24215/18536387e048

Salcedo, E. (2021). Efecto de un programa de entrenamiento de core en el lanzamiento de forehand en deportistas de Ultimate [Tesis de maestría, Universidad Nacional de Colombia]. Repositorio institucional. https://repositorio.unal.edu.co/handle/unal/80061

Scheverin, V. (2020). Dolor y disminución del rango de movimiento en el hombro: su correlación con la flexibilidad de columna y estabilidad del core, en jugadores amateurs de handball [Tesis de grado, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro]. Repositorio institucional. http://rid.unrn.edu.ar/handle/20.500.12049/5370

Tafakoriollah, A., Daneshmandi, H., & Samami, N. (2020). The effect of selected core stability exercises on the jumping-landing pattern and trunk muscular endurance in adolescent volleyball players with trunk defect. Physical Treatments, 10(2), 89–98. http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-430-en.html

Tooth, C., Gofflot, A., Schwartz, C., Croisier, J. L., Beaudart, C., Bruyère, O., & Forthomme, B. (2020). Risk factors of overuse shoulder injuries in overhead athletes: A systematic review. Sports Health, 12(5), 478–487. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738120931764

Varela, A., Díaz, L., & Avendaño, D. (2020). Eficacia de los ejercicios de estabilización lumbopélvica en pacientes con lumbalgia. Acta Ortopédica Mexicana, 34(1), 10–15. http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2306-41022020000100010&lng=es&tlng=es

Vila, H., Barreiro, A., Ayán, C., Antúnez, A., & Ferragut, C. (2022). The most common handball injuries: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10688. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710688

Villaquiran, A., Molano, N., Portilla, E., & Tello, A. (2020). Flexibilidad, equilibrio dinámico y estabilidad del core para la prevención de lesiones en deportistas universitarios. Universidad y Salud, 22(2), 148–156. https://doi.org/10.22267/rus.202202.186

Vukadinovic, M., Jaksic, D., Maricic, S., Obradovic, A., & Obradovic, J. (2024). Small-sided games vs. high-intensity interval training on body composition of female handball players. International Journal of Morphology, 42(3), 749–755. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022024000300749

Most read articles by the same author(s)