Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, ISSN 1318-2269  33 Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008)
POVZETEK
V raziskavo je bilo vključenih 180 rokometašev prve in 
druge srbske rokometne lige, pri katerih smo proučevali 
sistem 27 spremenljivk (12 gibalnih, 3 kognitivne in 12 
konativnih). Cilj raziskave je bil določiti statistično značilne 
povezave med sistemi spremenljivk gibalnih sposobnosti 
ter sistemi konativnih in kognitivnih spremenljivk. 
Podatke smo analizirali z kanonično korelacijo. Z 
aplikacijo Bartlettovega Chi-kvadrat testa (χ
2
) med 
sistemom gibalnih spremenljivk in sistemom kognitivnih 
spremenljivk smo identificirali tri kanonične korelacije 
(Rc=.57, Rc=.45, Rc=.35), ki so bile statistično značilne 
na ravni p=.00 oziroma p=.01. Med sistemom gibalnih 
spremenljivk in sistemom konativnih spremenljivk smo 
identificirali dve kanonični korelaciji (Rc = .62 and Rc = 
. 59), k i st a bi l i st at i st ič no z nač i l n i na r av n i p =.0 0. Re z u lt at i 
raziskave so pokazali, da vrhunski rokometaši dosegajo 
višje vrednosti gibalnih spremenljivk strukture gibanja, 
regulacije tonusa, intenzivnosti in trajanja ekscitacije ter 
regulacije sinergije, če imajo višje vrednosti kognitivnih 
spremenljivk učinkovitosti zaporednega procesiranja 
(IT – 1), v tem primeru pa dosegajo tudi višje vrednosti 
konativnih spremenljivk sistema regulacije in nadzora 
obrambnih reakcij (ALPHA), učinkovitosti sistema 
regulacije in nadzora napadalnih reakcij (SIGMA) in 
učinkovitosti sistema koordinacije regulativnih funkcij 
(DELTA).
Ključne besede: rokometaši, gibalne sposobnosti, ko-
gnitivne značilnosti, konativne značilnosti, poveza-
nost
ABSTR ACT
A sample of 180 handball players of the first and second 
Serbian handball league were examined according to a 
system of 27 variables (12 motor, 3 cognitive and 12 conative 
variables). The aim was to determine the statistically 
significant relations between the systems of variables 
of motor abilities, cognitive variables and variables of 
conative characteristics. The data were processed by 
canonical correlation analysis. With the application of 
Bartlett’s Chi-square test (χ
2
) between the system of motor 
variables and the system of cognitive variables, three 
canonical correlations were obtained (Rc=.57, Rc=.45, 
Rc=.35) which are statistically significant on the level of 
p=.00 that is p=.01. Between the system of motor variables 
and the system of conative variables two canonical 
correlations were obtained (Rc = .62 and Rc = .59), which 
are statistically significant on the level of p=.00. The results 
of the research showed that top-class handball players 
achieve better results concerning motor variables of the 
motion structure, tonus regulation, intensity and duration 
of excitation and synergy regulation if they have increased 
values concerning cognitive variables of efficiency of serial 
processing (IT – 1) as well as concerning conative variables 
of the efficiency of the system of regulation and control of 
the defence reaction (ALPHA), the efficiency of the system 
of regulation and control of offence reaction (SIGMA) and 
the efficiency of the system of coordination of regulative 
functions (DELTA). 
Key words: handball players, motor abilities, cognitive 
abilities, conative characteristics, relations
1
Faculty of Physical Culture in Leposavić, University of 
Priština, Serbia 
2
Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of 
Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia 
*Corresponding author:
Faculty of Physical Culture in Leposavić, 
University of Priština 
Dositeja Obradovića bb, 38218 Leposavić, Serbia
Tel.: + 381 288 4701
E-mail: veroljub.stankovic@pr.ac.yu
RELATIONS BETWEEN SYSTEMS OF MOTOR, 
COGNITIVE AND CONATIVE V ARIABLES 
OF TOP-CLASS HANDBALL PLAYERS 
ODNOSI MED SISTEMI GIBALNIH, 
KOGNITIVNIH IN KONATIVNIH 
SPREMENLJIVK VRHUNSKIH ROKOMETAŠEV
Veroljub Stanković
1
*
Julijan Malacko
2

34 Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008) 
INTRODUCTION
The determination of relations of motor abilities with other segments of anthropological status 
of athletes in particular sports is a highly current practical and theoretical issue. This issue is of 
a great importance firstly because of its possibility to form the most rational procedures in sport 
technology and sport training - athlete selection, training planning, programming and control 
as well as efficient monitoring of the development of relevant anthropological characteristics 
during the training process (Kurelić et al., 1975; Metikoš et al., 1982; Stanković, 2001; Malacko, 
Rađo, 2004).
Concerning handball, it is well known that it is a highly demanding game, requiring highly flex-
ible motor abilities: constant jumping and intense anaerobic and aerobic exercise accompanied 
by sudden and fast changes of intensity, direction of motion and positions.
Furthermore, since handball players solve numerous problems on the court, including assessment, 
prediction and reaction to constant changes, it can be assumed that analysis of relations between 
motor abilities, cognitive abilities and conative characteristics of handball players can be one of 
the most important indicators of their anthropological status and interactive functioning.
The impact of cognitive regulative mechanisms on success in some sport activities is of different 
levels. It depends on the mechanism type and sport category as well as on other predictable and 
unpredictable situations and circumstances concerning optimal cognitive ability, sport knowl-
edge, motion structure and athletic condition (Kirkendall, Gruber, 1970; Momirović, Gredelj, 
Hošek, 1980; Wolf, Momirović and Džamonja, 1992). 
For conative characteristics, it has been determined that their increased intensity decreases the 
level of adaptation; they then cause disorders in personality integrity, which damages the balance 
between the process of irritation and inhibition. Moreover, they influence the disposition of 
the majority of particular characteristics or groups of characteristics; meaning they are mainly 
genetically conditioned (Cattell, 1956; Mraković et al, 1974; Powell, Royce, 1981; Momirović, 
Wolf, Džamonja, 1992).
The aim of the research is to determine statistically significant relations between the systems 
of motor ability variables, cognitive variables and variables of conative characteristics in top-
class handball players in order to form rational procedures for optimal sport orientation and 
selection, planning and programming of training as well as the monitoring and control of the 
transformational process of relevant anthropological characteristics.
METHOD
Participants
A sample of 180 handball players of the first and second Serbian handball league was applied to 
the system of 27 variables (12 motor, three cognitive and 12 conative variables). 
Instruments
For the assessment of motor abilities from the structure of motor abilities model (Gredelj, Hošek, 
Metikoš, Momirović, 1975), the following latent- manifesting variables were applied: 

Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players 35 Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008)
the structure of motion: a) 
1. coordination with a stick (COS), 
2. feet and hands banging (FHB), 
3. hand tapping (HTA), 
tonus regulation and synergy regulation: b) 
4. deep pull-up hang on the bench (DPB), 
5. standing on one leg (SOL), 
6. aiming at a horizontal target (AHT), 
regulation of intensity of excitation: c)  
7. standing long jump (SLJ), 
8. 20-m run from a standing start (20R), 
9. medicine ball throw from a supine position (MTL), 
regulation of duration of excitation: d)  
10. sit-ups (MSU), 
11. under grip chin-ups (UCU) and 
12. endurance of seated hang (ISH).
For cognitive abilities assessment from the KOG 3 battery (Wolf, Momirović, Džamonja, 1992), 
the following variables were applied: 
1. test IT-1 for perceptive processor efficiency assessment, 
2. test S-1 for parallel processor efficiency assessment, 
3. test AL-4 for serial processor efficiency assessment.
For conative characteristics assessment from the KON 6 battery (Momirović, Wolf, Džamonja, 
1992), the following variables were applied: 
a) efficiency of the system of regulation and control of organic functions (HI):
1. cardiovascular conversion (K10), 
2. gastrointestinal conversion (G11), 
3. inhibitor conversion (I7), 
4. hypochondria (H13), 
b) efficiency of the system of regulation and control of defence reaction (ALPHA):
5. anxiety (A1), 
6. obsessiveness (O3), 
7. hypersensitivity (S5), 
8. phobia (F2), 
c) efficiency of the system of regulation and control of offence reaction (SIGMA):
 9. impulsiveness (N14), 
10. aggression (T15) and 
d) efficiency of the system of regulative functions coordination (DELTA):
11. paranoia (P18), 
12. depression (D6).

36 Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008) 
Procedure
During the determination of relations between the system of variables of basic motor variables, 
cognitive abilities and conative characteristics, a canonical correlation analysis was applied. The 
testing of the statistical significance of the hypothesis of global correlation between two different 
anthropological systems of variables was done by: λ – statistically significant characteristic roots, 
Rc – coefficient of canonical correlation of statistically significant pairs of canonical factors, 
Rc
2
 – canonical R-square, χ
2
 – Bartlett’s Chi-square test and p – testing of statistical importance 
on the level of .05 to .00 (p = .05 - .00).
R ESULTS
With a cross-correlation matrix analysis between the system of motor variables and the system 
of cognitive variables (Table 1), statistically significant correlations of variable pairs are observed 
on the level of .01 (** p = .01).
Table 1: Cross-correlations of motor and cognitive variables 
Variables IT-1 S-1 AL-4
COS -.07 .03 -.32**
FHB .23** .21 -.07
HTA -.06 .04 -.00
DPB -.15 .14 .30**
SOL -.09 .10 .12
AHT -.12 .15 .25**
SLJ .07 .18 .18**
20R -.21 .16 .25**
MTL -.02 -.01 -.33**
MSU .22** .11 .07
UCU .06 .01 -.09
ISH .18 .12 .23**
Rc Rc
2
χ
2
p
.57 .32 129.47 .00*
.45 .20 62.03 .00*
.35 .12 23.12 .01*
*  P .
05
 = .138
** P .
01
 = .181
Legend: Rc – canonical correlation,  Rc
2
 – canonical R-square, χ
2 
- Bartlett’s Chi-square test, p - level of significance 
Between the cognitive variable IT-1 – perceptive processor efficiency and motor variables FHB – feet 
and hands banging (.23**) and MSU – sit-ups (.22**), there are statistically significant correlations 
at the level of p= .01. Among cognitive variable S-1, parallel processor efficiency and motor variables 
there is no correlation. There is, however, correlation among cognitive variable AL-4 – serial processor 
efficiency and motor variables: COS – coordination  with a stick (-.32**), DPB – deep pull-up hang 
on the bench (.30**), AHT – aiming at a horizontal target (.25**), SLJ – standing long jump (.18**), 
20R – 20-m run from the standing start (.25**), MTL – medicine ball throw from a supine position 
(-.33**) and ISH – endurance of seated hang (.23**). 
In the procedure of determining statistically significant relations (in other words: finding maximal 
correlation between multivariate system of motor variables and the system of cognitive variables) 

Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players 37 Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008)
a canonical correlation analysis was applied with the parameters of canonical correlation (Rc), 
the coefficient of determination (Rc
2
), Chi-square test (χ
2
) and its statistical importance (p).
With Bartlett’s Chi-square test (χ
2
=129.47, χ
2
=62.03 and χ
2
=23.12), the statistical significance 
of the coefficient of canonical correlation was tested (Rc=.57, Rc=.45, Rc=.35). The test explains 
linear combinations between groups of variables; that is, the correlation of two different systems 
of variables. By solving characteristic equations of matrix cross-correlation, the roots of these 
equations were obtained as well as squares (determination coefficients) of canonical correlation 
(Rc
2 
=.32, Rc
2 
=.20, Rc
2 
=.12), which clarify the mutual variance of two group variables between 
the total variability of the analysed system of variables.
During the further procedure of data processing, three statistically significant structures of 
canonical factors were identified (p=.00, p=.00, p=.01); on one hand, within the system of motor 
variables and, on the other hand, within the system of cognitive variables.
From results given in the matrix of canonical structure of motor and cognitive variables (Table 
2), a statistically significant correlation between motor variables and the first canonical factor 
can be observed. 
Table 2: Canonical structure of motor and cognitive variables 
Variables Fc-1 Fc-2 Fc-3
Motor variables
COS -.47 -.25 .56*
FHB -.31 .57* .24
HTA .04 -.04 .21*
DPB .61* .08 .26
SOL .26 .04 .29*
AHT .50* .11 .31
SLJ .22 .42* .15
20R .57* -.01 .47
MTL -.51* -.23 .36
MSU -.06 .52* -.15
UCU -.19* .06 .04
ISH .22 .54* -.23
Cognitive variables
IT-1 -.40 .78* -.47
S-1 .13 .67 .72*
AL-4 .89* .39 -.20
Legend: Fc-1 – first canonical factor, Fc-2 – second canonical factor, Fc-3 – third canonical factor 
The first isolated canonical factor is defined by the relatively high values of statistically significant 
canonical correlation coefficients. Regarding the structure of the first isolated canonical factor 
that consists of variables DPB – deep pull-up hang on the bench (.61*), AHT – aiming at a 
horizontal target (.50*), 20R – 20-m run from the standing start (.57*), MTL – medicine ball 
throw from a supine position (-.51*) and UCU – undergrip chin-ups (-.19*), it can be defined as 
canonical factor of tonus regulation, excitation intensity and duration. The second canonical 
factor is defined by the variables FHB – feet and hands banging (.57*), SLJ – standing long jump 
(.42*), MSU – sit-ups (.52*) and ISH – endurance of seated hang (.54*) so it can be defined as 
canonical factor of the structure of motion and intensity regulation and excitation duration. The 

38 Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008) 
third canonical factor is defined by variables COS – coordination with a stick (.56*), HTA – hand 
tapping (.21*), SOL – standing on one leg (.29*) so it can be defined as a canonical factor of the 
structure of motion and synergy regulation.
In the same table, the matrix of the structure of canonical factors of cognitive abilities is also 
presented, which shows that there are very high correlations between applied variables and 
canonical factors. Regarding that the first canonical factor is presented by only one cognitive 
variable (AL-4), it can be defined as serial processor efficiency; in other words, noticing relations 
and correlations. The third canonical factor is also presented by only one cognitive variable (IT-1), 
so that it can be interpreted as input processor efficiency; in other words, perceptive reasoning. 
With cross-correlation matrix analysis between systems of motor variables and systems of cona-
tive variables (Table 3), statistically significant correlations of variable pairs can also be observed 
regarding variables of both anthropological fields. Statistically significant correlations of conative 
variables with motor variables were found among the following variables: 
a) K10 – cardiovascular conversion: 
HTA – hand tapping
SOL – standing on one leg
20R – 20-m run from the standing start
MTL – medicine ball throw from a supine position
MSU – sit-ups 
UCU – undergrip chin-ups
ISH – endurance of seated hang
b) G11 – gastrointestinal conversion: 
SOL – standing on one leg
20R – 20-m run from the standing start
MTL – medicine ball throw from a supine position
c) I7 – inhibitor conversion:
SOL – standing on one leg
H13 – hypochondria: 
UCU – undergrip chin-ups
ISH – endurance of seated hang
d) A1 – anxiety: 
FHB – feet and hands banging
20R – 20-m run from the standing start
UCU – undergrip chin-ups
ISH – endurance of seated hang
e) O3 – obsessiveness: 
MTL – medicine ball throw from a supine position
UCU – undergrip chin-ups

Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players 39 Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008)
f) S5 – hypersensitivity: 
HTA – hand tapping
g) F2 – phobia: 
SOL – standing on one leg
MSU – sit-ups
UCU – undergrip chin-ups
ISH – endurance of seated hang
h) T15 – aggression: 
FHB – feet and hands banging
i) P18 – paranoia: 
FHB – feet and hands banging
HTA – hand tapping
SOL – standing on one leg
MTL – medicine ball throw from a supine position
MSU – sit-ups
UCU – undergrip chin-ups
j) D6 – depression: 
COS – coordination with a stick
FHB – feet and hands banging
SOL – standing on one leg
Table 3: Cross correlations of motor and conative variables 
Variables K 10 G11 I7 H13 A1 O3 S5 F2 N14 T15 P18 D6
COS .00 .03 -.02 -.06 .10 .02  .05 -.03 .08 .05  .03 .16*
FHB .06 .12 .12 .13 .16* -.07 .07 .04 -.02 .14* .16* -.17*
HTA .16* .09 .11 .06 .00 .06 -.15* .07 .13 -.13 .14* -.01
DPB -.08 -.11 .00 -.12 -.06 .06 .01 .04 .12 .06 -.12 .11
SOL .14* .17* .15* .09 -.08 .08 .10 .27* .27* .02 .22* .15*
AHT -.02 -.09 -.08 -.10 -.09 .08 -.03 .01 .13 -.08 -.13 .07
SLJ -.10 -.10 .07 .08 -.09 -.04 -.01 -.05 -.01 -.01 .02 -.01
20R -.25* -.24* -.09 -.10 -.15* -.02 -.11 -.08 -.08 -.03 -.11 -.00
MTL .17* .14* .01 -.09 .10 .28* .09 .10 .23* -.07 .14* .01
MSU -.15* -.08 -.08 .00 -.07 -.10 -.06 -.14* -.17* .09 -.22* -.06
UCU .15* .06 .13 .19** .18* .15* .01 .16* .27* -.12 .21** .06
ISH - 32** -.13 -.12 -.14* -.21** -.12 -.13 -.19** -.30** -.03 -.11 -.00
Rc Rc
2
χ
2
p
.62 .39 273.32 .00*
.59 .34 189.17 .00*
*    P .05 = .138
** P .01 = .181
Legend: Rc – canonica relation, Rc
2
 – canonical R-square, χ
2 
– Bartlett’s Chi-square test, p – level of significance 

40 Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008) 
Solving characteristic equations of cross-correlation matrix, two canonical factors were isolated 
as factors of roots of these equations. During the determination of relations with Bartlett’s Chi-
square test (χ
2
) between the system of motor variables and the system of conative variables, 
relatively high canonical correlations for both isolated canonical factors were obtained (Rc = 
.62 and Rc = .59) and they are statistically significant at the level of .00 (p=.00). The canonical 
correlation squares (Rc
2 
), which explain the mutual variance of variables from two groups within 
the total variability of analysed systems of variables, are .39 and .34 (Rc
2 
= .39, and Rc
2 
= .34). 
According to the results obtained from the matrix of the canonical structure of motor and the 
conative variables, there are statistically significant correlations between the applied variables 
of first and second canonical factor. The first canonical factor in motor space is defined by the 
variables COS-coordination with a stick (.20*), HTA – hand tapping (.29*), SOL – standing on 
one leg (.39*), MTL-medicine ball throw from a supine position (.54*), MSU – sit-ups (-.40*), 
UCU – undergrip chin-ups (.52*) and ISH-endurance of seated hang (-.53*) so that it can be 
defined as canonical factor of the structure of motion, tonus regulation, intensity and duration 
of excitation. Since the second canonical factor is defined by variables FHB – feet and hands 
banging (.63*), DPB-deep pull-up hang on the bench (-.55*), AHT – aiming at a horizontal target 
(-.54*) and 20R – 20-m run from the standing start (-.41*) it can be defined as a canonical factor 
of the structure of motion, tonus regulation and excitation intensity.
The first canonical factor (Table 4) in conative space is defined by variables K10 – cardiovascular 
conversion (.56*), O3 – obsessiveness (.52*), S5 – hypersensitivity (.23*), F2 – phobia (.47*), N14 – 
impulsiveness (.85*) and T15 – aggression (-.15*) so that it can be interpreted as canonical factor 
of efficiency of the system of regulation and control of organic functions, defence reactions and 
offence reactions. Since the second canonical factor is defined by variables G11 – gastrointestinal 
conversion (.42*), I7 – inhibitor conversion (.35*), H13 – hypochondria (.44*), A1 – anxiety (.28*), 
P18 – paranoia (.50*) and D6 – depression (-.26*), it can be interpreted as a canonical factor of 
the efficiency of the system of regulation and control of organic functions, defence reactions and 
regulative functions coordination.
Table 4: Canonical structure of motor and conative variables 
Variables Fc-1 Fc-2
Motor variables
COS .20* .10
FHB -.03 .63*
HTA .29* .17
DPB .12 -.55*
SOL .39* .05
AHT .21 -.54*
SLJ -.02 .01
20R -.15 -.41*
MTL .54* -.07
MSU -.40* -.10
UCU .52* .13
ISH -.53* .17
Variables Fc-1 Fc-2
Conative variables
K 10 .56* .36
G11 .33 .42*
I7 .30 .35*
H13 .17 .44*
A1 .26 .28*
O3 .52* -.20
S5 .23* .05
F2 .47* .14
N14 .85* -.02
T15 -.15* .11
P18 .45 .50*
D6 .17 -.26*
Legend: Fc-1 – first canonical factor, Fc-2 – second canonical factor 

Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players 41 Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008)
DISCUSSION
In the discussion of relations between canonical factors from two different anthropological fields 
which were obtained by application of canonical correlation analysis, the usual rule is used, i.e. 
the linear increase of values of the resulting vector of the variables of canonical factor from the 
first field proportionally corresponds to the linear increase of the values of the resulting vector 
of variables of canonical factor from the second field if the correlation between the two tested 
variables systems in different fields is statistically significant. The same rule is true for the reverse 
direction of relations that the linear decrease of result values in the canonical factor of the first 
field corresponds to the linear decrease of result values in the first canonical factor of the second 
field.
The human ability to notice, understand, learn and reproduce some complex motion structures 
primarily depends on cognitive abilities. Cognitive processes and cognitive functions represent 
the central mechanism of cortical regulation. The central nervous system primarily has an in-
tegrating function; it thus helps reasonable and adaptable behaviour of the human personality. 
The most important is the integration on the cortical level, because reasonable behaviour is 
directly connected with integrated functioning of the cerebral cortex. Integration also exists 
on the sub-cortical level, but it is less flexible and it enables reaction in usual situations which 
entail automatic reaction.
In this study, the relations between the first canonical factor of the system of motor variables, 
interpreted as a canonical factor of tonus regulation, intensity and excitation duration and 
the first canonical factor of the system of cognitive variables, interpreted as efficiency of serial 
processor, show that handball players achieve good results in regulation of tonus, intensity and 
duration of excitation if they have increased values in the cognitive variable of efficiency of serial 
processor (AL-4) and vice versa.
The relations between the second canonical factor of the system of motor variables, interpreted as 
a canonical factor of the structure of motion and regulation of intensity and duration of excitation 
and the second canonical factor of the system of cognitive variables, interpreted as efficiency of 
parallel processor, show that handball players achieve good results in the structure of motion 
and regulation of intensity and duration of excitation if they have increased values in cognitive 
variable of efficiency of parallel processor (S-1) and vice versa.
The Relations between the third canonical factor of the system of motor variables, interpreted as 
canonical factor of the structure of motion and synergy regulation and the third canonical factor 
of the system of cognitive variables, interpreted as the efficiency of perceptive processor show 
that handball players achieve good results in the structure of motion and synergy regulation if 
they have increased values in cognitive variable of efficiency of perceptive processor (IT-1) and 
vice versa. 
According to the results obtained in this research, it can be assumed that cognitive mechanisms 
generally influence success in handball, but it seems that the influence of perceptive and spatial 
(parallel) processors could be the most important. The test of perception was made with the 
intention of measuring the perceptive ability, which represents synthesis of perceptive analysis 
ability, perceptive structuring and perceptive identification while spatialization was defined as 
the ability to determine spatial relations or to solve spatial problems. However, as it is well known, 
the other cognitive factors are also important concerning every type of structure of every day 

42 Motor, cognitive and conative systems of top-class handball players Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14, 3, 33–43 (2008) 
activity, so too in handball, which was proved by this research. However, it cannot be said that 
cognitive factors are the only ones that are primary for the success in any activity, including 
that of handball.
The efficiency of doing any human activity is not independent of the characteristics that regulate 
modalities of human behaviour, including handball. That is to say, it is known that some char-
acteristics of conative field directly limit the efficiency in different activities while in some other 
activities they indirectly limit the efficiency (for example: because of the contamination effect on 
some other anthropological characteristics, abilities). It is not excluded that in some activities the 
same conative characteristics represent restriction while in some other activities they represent 
a stimulus to efficiency, especially if they contribute to success of the activity. 
In connection to this, the rule that there are no two subjects with completely the same structure 
of any, including conative characteristics, regardless of their definite number is also valid. 
Because of this, the knowledge of the complexity of an activity, including the field of conative 
characteristics is very important hypothesis of operationalisation of the goal of each activity 
accordingly handball.
Relations between the first canonical factor of the system of motor variables (interpreted as 
a canonical factor of the structure of motion, regulation of tonus, intensity and duration of 
excitation) and the first canonical factor of the system of conative variables (interpreted as a 
canonical factor of efficiency of the system of regulation and control of organic functions, defence 
reactions and offence reactions) show that handball players achieve good results in the structure 
of motion, regulation of tonus, intensity and duration of excitation if they have increased values 
in conative variables of efficiency of the system of regulation and control of organic functions, 
defence reactions and offence reactions and vice versa.
Relations between the second canonical factor of the system of motor variables (interpreted as a 
canonical factor of the structure of motion, regulation of tonus and intensity of excitation) and 
the second canonical factor of the system of conative variables (interpreted as a canonical factor 
of efficiency of the system of regulation and control of organic functions, defence reactions and 
the system of coordination of regulative functions) show that handball players achieve good 
results in the structure of motion, regulation of tonus and intensity of excitation if they have 
increased values in conative variables of efficiency of the system of regulation and control of 
organic functions, defence reactions and the system of coordination of regulative functions and 
vice versa.
In the general conclusion of this research, it is worth emphasising that the results showed that 
in the training and competing process of top class handball players, training was well-balanced, 
which can mean that they were on one hand optimally oriented towards the development of 
relevant motor abilities that correlate with cognitive abilities and conative characteristics and 
represent the basis of the training process of handball players. On the other hand, the training of 
handball players greatly influenced improvement of results concerning the majority of relevant 
motor abilities.
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