Differences in Fitness and Academic Attainment between Obese, and Non Obese School-Age Adolescent Handball Players: An Explorative, Cross-Sectional Study

This study investigated differences in physical fitness and academic attainment obese non-obese adolescent handball players. A total of 31 males (age: 15.5 ± 1.2 years; body mass: 77.8 17.7 kg; height: 1.71 0.10 m; mass index (BMI): 26.8 6.9 kg/m2; fat: 26.4 6.34%) from the Qatar first division participated were divided into two fat percentage (%BF) groups (i.e., or non-obese). Anthropometrics (height, mass, BMI, %BF) performance testing ability (T-half test for change-of-direction (COD); squat jump (SJ), countermovement (CMJ), 10 15 m sprints; medicine ball throw (MBT), aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 IR1)) determined. Academic was determined through grade point averages (GPA). Non-obese participants had superior performances mathematics (p < 0.001) science = 0.013), agility T-half 0.001), CMJ sprint 0.019). Correlations found between (r 0.500) 0.484). To conclude, school-age players have poorer than normal weight adolescents.