Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269   Original article    43 
ABSTRACT 
Body composition is an important factor in the physical 
fitness and health of athletes. The aim of this research is to 
identify and compare body composition (BC) of female 
players including volleyball (VB) (X with 
Age=21.48±2.64), handball (HB) (X with Age 
=18.42±2.62), and soccer (SOC) (X with Age 
=18.37±2.41). Total and regional body composition of 
each player were evaluated with dual-energy X-ray 
absorptiometry method (DXA). According to the results of 
the MANOVA, there was a statistically significant 
difference between female players from different team 
sports on the combined dependent variables (F=2.14; 
p=.007; Pillai’s Trace=1.45; η2=.73).  When the results for 
the dependent variables were considered separately, SOC 
players had significantly lower lean arm mass (F=6.27; 
p=.004; η2=.23), lean leg mass (F=7.92; p=.001; η2=.27), 
lean android mass (F=8.85; p=.001; η2=.29), lean gyonoid 
mass (F=9.01; p=.001; η2=.30), and Total BMC (F=7.25; 
p=.002; η2=.25) than those of VB and HB players. In 
addition, while SOC players had significantly lower lean 
body mass (F=4.97; p=.011; η2=.19) than VB players; HB 
players had significantly higher leg fat mass (F=4.77; 
p=.013; η2=.18) and gyonoid fat mass (F=4.37; p=.019; 
η2=.17) than SOC players. In conclusion, body 
compositions of female team players of SOC, VB, and HB 
varied. Coaches and sports scientists are advised to plan 
training considering the differences between sports 
branches. 
Keywords: body composition, DXA, measurement, female 
players, team sports 
Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Sport 
Sciences, Eskişehir, Turkey  
 
 
 
 
 
 
IZVLEČEK 
Telesna sestava je ključni dejavnik dobre telesne 
zmogljivosti in zdravja športnikov. Namen te raziskave je 
ugotoviti in primerjati telesno sestavo igralk odbojke (VB) 
(X=21,48±2,64), rokometa (HB) (X=18,42±2,62) in 
nogometa (SOC) (X=18,37±2,41). Skupna in regionalna 
telesna sestava vsake igralke je bila ocenjena z metodo 
dvoenergijske rentgenske absorpciometrije (DXA). Glede 
na rezultate analize MANOVA je bila med igralkami 
različnih ekipnih športov statistično značilna razlika pri 
kombiniranih odvisnih spremenljivkah (F=2,14; p=,00; 
Pillai's trace = 1,45; η2=,73). Ko smo rezultate za odvisne 
spremenljivke obravnavali ločeno, smo ugotovili 
statistično pomembno razliko pri starosti (F=7,07; p=,00 ; 
η2=,25), telesni masi (F=5,67; p=,00; η2=,21), telesni 
višini (F=10,57; p=00, η2=,33), indeksu telesne mase 
(F=3,52; p=,04; η2=,14). Scheffejev test večkratne 
primerjave je pokazal, da je bila telesna masa nogometašic 
manjša od telesne mase igralk rokometa (p=,00) in 
odbojke (p=,04). Če smo rezultate telesnih komponent 
obravnavali ločeno, so imele nogometašice bistveno nižje 
vrednosti puste telesne mase, mase rok, nog in maščevja 
kot igralce odbojke in rokometa. Pomembna razlika je bila 
ugotovljena tudi pri maščobni masi  okrog nog  in bokov 
ter vsebnosti mineralov v kosteh. Vendar med igralkami 
SOC, VB in HB ni bilo ugotovljenih pomembnih razlik pri 
drugem skupnem/regionalnem % telesne maščobe 
(p>0,05). Zaključimo lahko, da se je telesna sestava igralk 
ekip SOC, VB in HB razlikovala. Trenerjem in športnim 
znanstvenikom svetujemo, naj pri načrtovanju vadbe 
upoštevajo razlike med športnimi panogami. 
Ključne besede: telesna sestava, DXA, meritve, športnice, 
ekipni športi 
Corresponding author*: Erkan Akdoğan,  
Eskişehir Technical University,  
Faculty of Sports Science, Eskişehir, Turkey 26470 
E-mail: eakdogan@eskisehir.edu.tr 
 
https://doi.org/10.52165/kinsi.28.3.43-53
Erkan Akdoğan 1,* 
Ramazan Taşçıoğlu 1 
COMPARISON OF BODY COMPOSITION OF 
VOLLEYBALL, HANDBALL AND FOOTBALL 
FEMALE PLAYERS 
PRIMERJAVA TELESNE SESTAVE IGRALK 
ODBOJKE, ROKOMETA IN NOGOMETA 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    44 
INTRODUCTION 
Body composition (BC) is an important factor in the physical fitness and health of athletes 
(Malá et al., 2015). Generally, a high ratio between the fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) 
and low body fat percentage (%BF) are desirable criteria for athletes (Fields et al., 2018). In 
addition, the existence of insufficient or excess BF might cause performance degradation and 
potentially harmful effects on health (Stanforth, Crim, Standforth, and Sutlts-Kolehmainen, 
2014). 
Body composition (BC) has been used as a significant parameter for monitoring athletes' 
performance and physical fitness in pre, during, post-season, and multiple seasons (Trexler, 
Smith-Ryan, Mann, Ivey, Hirsch, and Mock, 2017; Devlin, Kingsley, Leveritt, and Belski, 
2017; Hilgemberg-Figueiredo, Carlos-Dourado, Reeberg Stanganelli, and Rossi-Gonçalves, 
2021; Madic, Andrasic, Gusic, Molnar, Radanovic, and Trajkovic, 2018; González-Ravé, Arija, 
and Clemente, 2011; Moss, Mcwhannell, Michalsik, and Twist, 2015; Milanese, Piscitelli, 
Lampis, and Zancanaro, 2012). For example, %BF and FFM are associated with sports 
performance indicators such as vertical jump, sprint time, relative power, and maximal strength. 
(Lidor and Ziv 2010). Moreover, previous studies reported a negative correlation between % 
BP and muscle performance (vertical jump, agility, and anaerobic power capacity) in elite 
athletes (Zhang, 2010; Michalsik, Aagard, and Madsen, 2015; Lesinski, Prieske, Helm, and 
Granacher, 2017; Kale and Akdoğan, 2020). 
Given the variety of sports, athletes may have different physical demands, and as a result, 
different athletes may have different BC values. For instance, despite the high level of upper 
and lower body muscle strength and power required for both volleyball and handball, the body 
size of the players may vary between these two sports (Fields et al. 2018). In one study, 
volleyball players were shown to have higher fat-free mass and lower fat percentages than 
handball players (Bayios, Bergeles, Apostolidis, Noutsos, and Koskolou, 2006). According to 
a different study, volleyball and handball players had much higher FFM values than soccer 
players (Malá et al., 2015). 
Overall, excess body fat is harmful and lean body mass is beneficial for athletic performance 
(Boileau and Horswill, 2000). Women reach adult lean body mass levels at 15-16 years of age 
and reveal an increase in body fat mass and fat percentages in their 20s (Malina, 1989). With 
intense conditioning programs, female athletes can control BC changes throughout their sports 
careers. 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    45 
Although a number of published studies have investigated specific BC variables, there are fewer 
studies of female athletes than of male ones. As far as we know, few studies have analyzed 
comparisons of BC among female athletes (Bayios et al., 2006; Stanforth et al., 2014; Malá et 
al., 2015; Fields et al., 2018). Therefore, there is a need to expand body composition literature 
studies on female athletes. Another important issue, to our knowledge, only a few studies has 
described comparisons of BC among female players (DXA-derived measurements) (Carbuhn, 
Fernandez, Bragg, Green, and Crouse, 2010;  Stanforth et al., 2014).  The aim of this research 
is to compare the BC of female volleyball, handball, and soccer players using the dual-energy 
x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement technique. The hypothesis determined for this 
purpose is as follows: "There is a significant difference between female players in terms of their 
sports."  
 
METHODS 
Participants 
A total of 46 females (X with Age=19.33±2.88) participated in the research, including 14 
volleyball players (X with Age=21.48±2.64) and 17 handball players (X with Age=18.42±2.62) 
from the second league, and 15 soccer players (X with Age=18.37±2.41) from the third league 
(Table 1). They trained for 60-90 minutes five days a week in their sport-specific cycle. The 
participants were briefed about the research and took a consent form. If the participant was 
below 18, the consent form was taken from his parents for participation. This study was 
conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The local Research 
Ethics Committee approved the research (Board approval numbers: 44506). 
Table 1. Basic anthropometric variables of the sample (Mean±SD). 
Sport n Age (years) Body Mass (kg) Body Height (cm) BMI (kg-m2) 
Volleyball (VB) 14 21.48±2.64 63.04±9.16 173.50±7.49 20.85±1.79 
Handball (HB) 17 18.42±2.62 64.43±8.07 167.71±5.89 22.90±2.51 
Soccer (SOC) 15 18.37±2.41 54.90±8.28 161.80±7.23 20.96±2.89 
Total 46 19.33±2.88 60.90±9.32 167.54±8.18 21.64±2.59 
BMI= Body Mass Index 
 
 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    46 
Procedure  
All measurements and tests were carried out at the beginning of the in-season period (August). 
Participants consisted of healthy athletes who played in the same team for at least a year. The 
test sessions were completed in 3 days between 9:00 and 12:00 a.m. Anthropometry and BC 
measurements were carried out at the Laboratory of Kinanthropometry at the Faculty of Sport 
Sciences, Eskişehir Technical University. Participants were warned not to take any drugs and 
coffee, and get involved in physical activities at least 24 hours before the test day. 
Anthropometric and Body Composition Analysis 
A scale (Seca, Vogel & Halke, Hamburg) with a precision of 01. kg was used to measure 
participants’ body mass (kg). The height of the players was measured barefoot the heads of 
players were placed in the Frankfurt plane using a stadiometer (Holtain Ltd, UK) with an 
accuracy of 0.1 cm. The Dual-electron X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar Prodigy Pro; GE, 
Healthcare, Madison, WI, USA) was used for the regional and total BC (fat percentage, muscle 
mass, and fat mass). Phantoms were used in order to calibrate the DXA before the 
measurements by following the standard guidelines. All the scans and analyses were performed 
for consistency with the same operator. Before the measurements, the participants were asked 
not to wear any jewelry or have any metal objects in their bodies while being screened. For a 
standard supine position during the scans, the subjects’ knees and ankles were tied with a Velcro 
strap and their arms were extended by their sides. The examinations lasted between 6 and 8 
minutes depending on the height of the participant. 
Statistical Analysis 
Descriptive analysis (Mean and SD) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was 
used to assess differences between BC variables. The data were checked for univariate and 
multivariate normality, outliers, linearity, homogeneity of regression, 
multicollinearity/singularity, and homogeneity of variance-covariance matrices for MANOVA 
(Pallant, 2011). Cohen’s (1988) effect sizes (ESs) and thresholds (.00, .06 and, .14 as 
benchmarks for small, medium, and large effect sizes, respectively) were used. The results were 
tested at the levels of p<.05. SPSS 25 package program was used in the analysis of the data. 
 
  
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    47 
RESULTS 
According to the results of the MANOVA, there was a statistically significant difference 
between female players from different team sports on the combined dependent variables 
(F=2.14; p=.007; Pillai’s Trace=1.45; η2=.73). 
Table 2. Findings of MANOVA for combined dependent variable. 
Pillai’s Trace F df1 df2 p η2 
1.45 2.14 50 40 .007 .73 
 
When the results for the BC variables were considered separately, there were significant 
difference on body mass (F=5.67; p=.007; η2=.21), body height (F=10.57; p=000. η2=.33), body 
mass index (F=3.52; p=.038; η2=.14). Scheffe’s multiple comparison tests showed that the body 
mass of SOC players was lower than the body mass of HB (p=011) and VB (p=.045) players. 
In addition, It was observed that the body height of VB players was higher than the body height 
of SOC players (p=.000) (Table 3). 
When the results for the dependent variables were considered separately, SOC players had 
significantly lower lean arm mass (F=6.27; p=.004; η2=.23), lean leg mass (F=7.92; p=.001; 
η2=.27), lean android mass (F=8.85; p=.001; η2=.29), lean gyonoid mass (F=9.01; p=.001; 
η2=.30), and Total BMC (F=7.25; p=.002; η2=.25) than those of VB and HB players. In 
addition, while SOC players had significantly lower lean body mass (F=4.97; p=.011; η2=.19) 
than VB players; HB players had significantly higher leg fat mass (F=4.77; p=.013; η2=.18) and 
gyonoid fat mass (F=4.37; p=.019; η2=.17) than SOC players. However, no significant 
difference was found on body fat percentages, body fat mass, arm fat percentages, trunk fat 
percentages, trunk fat mass, trunk lean mass, android fat percentages, android fat mass, gyonoid 
fat percentages, whole BMD, and Z score (p>.05) (Table 3). 
 
  
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    48 
Table 3. Findings of comparison test between body composition variables by different team 
sports. 
Variables 
 Volleyball Handball Soccer 
Univariate 
ANOVA 
Multiple 
Comparison 
 n=14 n=17 n=15 F p η2 Scheffe 
Body mass 
a 63.04±9.16 64.43±8.07 54.90±8.28 5.6
7 
.007 .21 
V>S* 
H>S* b 58.46-67.61 60.28-68.58 50.48-59.32 
Body height 
a 173.50±7.49 167.71±5.89 161.80±7.23 10.
57 
.000 .33 V>S*** 
b 169.81-177.19 164.36-171.06 158.23-165.37 
BMI 
a 20.85±1.79 22.90±2.51 20.96±2.89 3.5
2 
.038 .14 - 
b 19.53-22.18 21.70-24.10 19.68-22.24 
Body fat percentages 
(%) 
a 27.44±4.04 30.14±4.57 27.68±5.15 1.6
7 
.200 .07 - 
b 24.95-29.92 27.88-32.39 25.28-30.08 
Body fat mass (kg) 
a 16.91±5.10 18.80±5.09 14.72±4.62 2.7
1 
.078 .11 - 
b 14.24-19.57 16.38-21.21 12.15-17.29 
Lean body mass (kg) 
a 45.38±10.33 42.82±4.70 37.57±4.37 4.9
7 
.011 .19 V>S* 
b 41.69-49.06 39.48-46.16 34.02-41.13 
Arm fat percentages 
(%) 
a 29.19±4.75 30.66±5.25 30.25±5.44 
.32 .725 .02 - 
b 26.41-31.98 28.14-33.19 27.56-32.94 
Arm fat mass (kg) 
a 1.85±.43 1.98±.52 1.72±.52 1.1
2 
.337 .05  - 
b 1.58-2.12 1.74-2.22 1.46-1.97 
Lean arm mass (kg) 
a 4.45±.72 4.42±.48 3.77±.59 6.2
7 
.004 .23 
V>S* 
H>S* b 4.13-4.77 4.13-4.71 3.46-4.08 
Leg fat percentages 
(%) 
a 31.11±4.27 34.34±3.84 31.93±4.20 2.6
7 
.081 .11 - 
b 28.90-33.31 32.34-36.34 29.80-34.06 
Leg fat mass (kg) 
a 6.82±1.98 7.97±1.80 6.02±1.61 4.7
7 
.013 .18 H>S* 
b 5.85-7.80 7.09-8.85 5.08-6.96 
Lean leg mass (kg) 
a 15.61±2.58 15.06±1.75 12.78±1.80 7.9
2 
.001 .27 
V>S** 
H>S* b 14.50-16.72 14.05-16.06 11.71-13.85 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    49 
Trunk fat percentages 
(%) 
a 25.61±4.78 27.60±5.88 24.80±6.84 
.96 .393 .04 - 
b 22.43-28.80 24.71-30.49 21.72-27.88 
Trunk fat mass (kg) 
a 7.17±1.98 8.08±2.93 6.23±2.63 2.0
4 
.142 .09 - 
b 5.78-8.56 6.82-9.34 4.89-7.57 
Trunk lean mass (kg) 
a 19.91±4.38 20.55±2.20 18.12±2.04 2.7
6 
.074 .11 - 
b 18.30-21.53 19.09-22.02 16.57-19.68 
Android fat 
percentages (%) 
a 22.83±6.27 25.97±7.85 22.80±8.69 
.90 .415 .04 - 
b 18.67-26.98 22.20-29.74 18.79-26.81 
Android fat mass (kg) 
a .91±.36 1.05±.53 .78±.44 1.3
7 
.266 .06 - 
b .66-1.16 .83-1.27 .54-1.02 
Lean android mass 
(kg) 
a 2.97±.39 2.85±.35 2.44±.34 8.8
5 
.001 .29 
V>S** 
H>S* b 2.78-3.16 2.67-3.02 2.26-2.63 
Gynoid fat 
percentages (%) 
a 32.06±4.59 35.10±4.62 33.13±5.27 1.6
0 
.214 .07 - 
b 29.45-34.66 32.74-37.46 30.62-35.65 
Gyonoid fat mass 
(kg) 
a 3.35±.92 4.01±1.13 2.99±.88 4.3
7 
.019 .17 H>S* 
b 2.82-3.89 3.53-4.50 2.48-3.51 
Lean gyonoid mass 
(kg) 
a 7.12±.95 6.87±.77 5.94±.66 9.0
1 
.001 .30 
V>S** 
H>S** b 6.68-7.55 6.48-7.26 5.52-6.35 
Total BMC (kg) 
a 2.56±.24 2.54±.33 2.19±.30 7.2
5 
.002 .25 
V>S** 
H>S** b 2.40-2.72 2.40-2.69 2.04-2.35 
Whole BMD (g·cm2) 
a 1.16±.09 1.22±.10 1.15±.11 2.5
8 
.087 .11 - 
b 1.10-1.21 1.17-1.27 1.10-1.20 
Z-Score 
a 1.04±1.05 1.81±1.26 .89±1.21 2.8
5 
.069 .12 - 
b .40-1.67 1.23-2.39 .27-1.50 
***p < .001 **p < .01 *p < .05 p > .05; V- Volleyball, H - Handball, S – Soccer; a - mean±sd, b – range; 
 
 
  
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DISCUSSION 
The aim of this study was to identify and compare body composition (BC) in female athletes 
from three competitive team sports. The results showed that there were significant differences 
in body mass, body height, and body mass index. Scheffe’s multiple comparison tests showed 
that the body mass of soccer players was lower than the body mass of HB and VB players. In 
addition, they showed that the body height of VB players was higher than the body height of 
SOC players. 
Significant differences were found among the compared sports in terms of total and regional 
body mass. SOC players had a significantly lower lean arm mass, lean leg mass, lean android 
mass, lean gyonoid mass, and Total BMC values than those of VB and HB players. A significant 
difference was also found in terms of lean body mass between SOC and VB players and leg fat 
mass and gyonoid fat mass between SOC and HB players. The findings of the present research 
are consistent with those of previous studies. For example, in the study of Malá et al. (2015), 
the variability of BC among female athletes in different sports was emphasized. The authors 
found a significantly lower lean mass in SOC players than VB, HB, and basketball (BB) players. 
Similarly, Fields et al. (2018) found that lean mass values for SOC players were significantly 
lower than BB and VB players. Their study also found a lower fat mass in SOC than BB, 
lacrosse (LAX), rowing (ROW), and VB players. Similar to this study, Stanforth et al. (2014) 
reported that BB had significantly greater height and lean mass than SOC, swimming (SW), 
and truck (TR). In addition, SOC weighted significantly less than BB, SW, and VB. It had 
significantly less lean mass than all other sports 
The present research showed that no significant difference was found among SOC, VB, and 
HB players with other total/regional %BF (p>0.05). Due to limited research in the literature, 
similar studies were used as support in the discussion. Fields et al. (2018) found no significant 
difference in %BF between SOC and VB players. The authors also stated that soccer and 
lacrosse players had no differences in %BF and FFM. In another study, Malá et al. (2015) 
reported insignificant differences in %BF between female softball, BB, HB, VB, and SOC 
players. Contrary to our study, the results of the study conducted by Bayios et al. (2006) had 
significantly higher %BF in BB players than in VB and HB players. Similarly Fields et al. 
(2018) reported BB players had significantly lower %BF and FM, and higher FFM than VB, 
indicating BB players were leaner. Similar to this study, Stanforth et al. (2014) found that SOC 
players had lower %BF than BB and higher % BF than TR. Their study also found that VB 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    51 
players were taller, heavier, and had more lean mass than SOC, SW, and TR. They were lighter 
and had less %BF than BB and more %BF than TR athletes. 
As a valid and reliable testing method for female athletes (Arngrimsson et al., 2000; Ballard et 
al., 2004; Esco et al., 2015), X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was primarily used in this research.  
One should be extra careful when comparing studies using different assessment methods, as 
BC data may vary depending on the sampled population and measurement technique (Fields et 
al., 2018). Moreover, the reason for this disparity might be due to different data collection times 
(pre or during the season), and differences in training programs (for example, strength training 
frequency) (Phomsoupha, Berger, and Laffaye, 2018; Akdoğan and Güven, 2021). 
Considering the sports compared, the reason for the differences between FB, HB, and VB may 
be due to the fact that the soccer field and the game time are longer than the others' fields and 
times. Therefore, players need a different motor and metabolic demands. For example, soccer 
requires significant aerobic endurance, as professional female athletes cover 8.200–11.000m 
during a game (Vescovi, Fernandes, and Klas, 2021). Volleyball is anaerobic by nature. Speed 
and power are dominant motor skills in contact sports such as handball, where size and strength 
can assist in the struggle for the position on the field and athletes can benefit from higher body 
mass and body height (Malá et al., 2015). 
The first limitation of the research is that the sample consists of female athletes. Thus, it is 
recommended to be prudent while generalizing the results to a larger population, different age 
groups, competitive levels, and sports positions. The second limitation is that the BC tests and 
measurements were taken only before the season. Therefore, whether the BC of players 
revealed a difference during the season is still unknown. 
 
CONCLUSION 
In conclusion, while there were significant differences in BC variables between soccer players 
and other team sports players; it was found that there was no significant difference between 
volleyball players and handball players. Further research is recommended to examine the BC 
differences between player positions in team sports. In addition, longitudinal studies with large 
populations may be helpful for a better understanding of BC. 
Acknowledgment 
Kinesiologia Slovenica, 28, 3, 43-53 (2022), ISSN 1318-2269                        Body Composition Among Female Players    52 
The authors would like to thank all the volunteer exercise trainers, as well as the participants 
for their participation and commitment to the study. 
Declaration of Conflicting Interests 
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, 
and/or publication of this article. 
 
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