RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Anthropometric, body composition and somatotype differences of Iranian elite female basketball and handball players JF British Journal of Sports Medicine JO Br J Sports Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine SP i19 OP i20 DO 10.1136/bjsm.2010.078972.58 VO 44 IS 14 A1 Gholami, M A1 Rad, L Sabbaghian YR 2010 UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/44/14/i19.3.abstract AB The aims of the this study were: (A) to determine the anthropometric profile, body composition and somatotype of female basketball (B), and handball (H) players, (B) to compare the mean scores among H and B and (C) to detect possible differences in relation to competition level. A total of 28 female athletes (B=15, H=13), all members of the Iranian national teams, participated in this study. Anthropometric measures required for the calculation of body composition indexes and somatotype components were obtained according to the established literature. These measurements were height, weight, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, thigh and calf skinfolds, bi-epicondylar diameter of femur and humerus, and flexed biceps and calf girths. All skinfold measurements were taken on the right side of the body with the Yagamy skinfold caliper. Measurements were taken during the peak of the competition season. Subjects' somatotypes were determined by using the Heath-Carter anthropometric method. Somatotype was calculated using the Heath-Carter method.1 Data were analysed using t test with significance accepted at p<0.05. There was no significant difference of body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, fat weight, fat per cent, fat-free weight, waist to hip ratio and stature, weight and triceps skinfold thickness among B and H group. Although B and H group had homogeneity in somatotype characteristics (p<0.05). There was a difference somatotype characteristics among B and H group (p<0.001). Somatotype characterised as mesoendomorph in B group (3.6, 3.5, 2.4) and H athletes' somatotype was mesoendomorph (3.6, 4.7, 1.7). Anthropometric and body composition variables of elite female basketball and handball players were same, but they had different somatotype characteristics. Selection criteria, hours of training and sport-specific physiological demands during the game could explain the observed differences.