## 4 Discussion  
The aim of this study was to examine anthropometry, physical fitness, and ball throwing velocity in normal weight and overweight male team handball players. In addition, we examined how %BF explained variations in fundamental field measures of physical fitness and ball throwing velocity. The primary finding of this study was that the anthropometry was different between the BMI groups (except for %BF). In this context, large anthropometric dimensions are ostensibly advantageous in handball [1; 2; 3; 4]. Second, jumping, sprinting, and aerobic capacity were not different between the BMI groups, but we did observe BMI-related differences in the medicine ball throw. The findings confirmed previous observations about the negative effect of high %BF on both aerobic and anaerobic fitness [13; 17], thereby corroborating our first hypothesis. After accounting for height and mass, %BF was able to explain a considerable amount of the performance differences. Indeed, height and mass played an important role regarding the throwing velocity (jump shot, running shot, and medicine ball throw) and aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo IR1 test). The addition of %BF generated the largest increase in the predictive ability of the regression model for the agility T-half test. The 15 m and 30 m sprints, jump shot, and medicine ball throw predictions also benefited significantly from adding %BF to the model (Table 3). The latter partially supported our second hypothesis stating that a relationship between %BF and physical performance would exist. In this study, we were able to quantify the unique contribution of %BF to performance and ball throwing velocity in professional handball players, which we propose is a strength of the present investigation.  
Several studies have assessed adult male handball players' anthropometry [1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7]. Yet, comparisons are complicated due to the divergent ages, playing positions, competition levels, and test procedures utilized. In terms of height and body mass, handball players appear to be between volleyball players, and soccer and field hockey players [9; 17]. An unexpected yet pertinent finding of the present study was the incidence of overweightness given the average BMI of elite adult handball players. Consequently, the BMIs observed in our participants should not be attributed to sport-specific physiological adaptations. It is improbable that the high BMI reported here was solely due to an advantageous large lean mass alone, and this increased mass will not come without health consequences. The prevalence of overweightness in our sample warrants further investigation to determine causes of excessive body mass in team handball players and to develop interventions targeting body mass management [9]. A constant concern of coaches is to ensure that decreases in body mass and %BF occur with the preservation of lean mass.  
In terms of performance parameters, a significant difference was detected between groups only for the CMJ (\(\eta_{\text{p}}{}^{2}=0.227\)). The smallest differences were observed for the 15 m sprint (\(\eta_{\text{p}}{}^{2}=0.001\)) and medicine ball throw (\(\eta_{\text{p}}{}^{2}=0.003\)). For the 15 m sprint and agility T-half test, the performance of the overweight group was slightly higher than in the normal-weight group. These results may be useful for coaches and trainers, as they were based on tests that reflected specific characteristics of handball playing positions. The findings from the current study may aid in identifying performance potential and player development based on players' anthropometry and fitness.