Regional water balance analysis of glacierised river basins in the north-eastern Himalaya applying the J2000 hydrological model

The glacierised basins of the Northeast Himalayan region are highly vulnerable to climate-change impacts. The spatio-temporal hydroclimatic and physiographic variability impact the water balance of these glacierised basins across the region. This study assesses the glaciohydrological processes and dynamics in the data scarce region for the present as well future climate change scenarios by regional water balance analysis. The J2000 hydrological model was adapted to incorporate the frozen ground as well as glacier dynamics in a stepwise, nested basin calibration approach. The modelled ERA-Interim precipitation data cannot capture the high amplitude orographic and convective events. Therefore, Orographic correction factors were used to inversely correct the ERA-Interim precipitation data to account for the orographic as well as cyclonic precipitation in the region from reported glacier mass balance and evapotranspiration estimates. Monthly temperature lapse rate was adopted for correcting the ERA-Interim temperature dataset. The Beki basin was selected as the donor basin for model development and evaluation. The parameters from the Beki basin were regionalised to the receptor Lohit and the Noadihing basins by the Proxy-basin method. Multi-objective optimization criteria such as the Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) for temporal dynamics and flow distribution and Bias for overall water balance showed high to moderate conformity between measured and simulated discharge at the corresponding basin outlets. The variability in the water balance and runoff components among the three basins was primarily related to the spatio-temporal variation in the mean annual precipitation, runoff and evapotranspiration estimates. The impact of climate-change scenarios on the study basins indicated that water availability would sustain until the end of the century due to higher projected precipitation even though after the depletion of glaciers in the region

Why do We Follow Sporting Events?

The aim of the study was to investigate the motives for following sporting events and their dependence upon gender and age of spectators. The study was based on a survey of 1727 adult Slovenes. According to the results the most important motives could be classified in the category of Dionysian values. This means that the role of sport in a spectator\u27s life is not that influential; it is much more considered a source of relaxation and pleasure. Higher values of all motives were given by men. Women found the motive »National importance of sport« more important, while the motives »Attraction of sports« and »Competitiveness, fighting spirit, victory« were placed higher by men. Younger spectators evaluated the motives higher, with motives »Pleasure, Entertainment« and »Sport Dynamism« being most important. The data reveal those attributes of sport that have always caught and will also continue to catch the eye of the spectators

"Songs are Sneaky Things": Pete Seeger's Music as a Force for Political Change

This thesis uses Pete Seeger's music to examine the major social movements of the 1960s, specifically the civil rights and anti-war movements. Seeger's testimony and conviction by the House Un-American Activities Committee led him to build an audience in alternative ways, and the young people he played for went on to lead and participate in the civil rights movement, where "We Shall Overcome" featured prominently, and the anti-war movement, where Seeger himself shifted his performance style to continue to effectively speak out against the war. The thesis argues that these songs are more than just unifiers, or pieces of art, they are powerful methods of change

Avian haemoparasite prevalence in Kruger National Park and the surrounding human settlements

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg. 30 May 2018.The drivers and implications of avian haemoparasite infection in wild birds are complicated to understand and predict, especially in areas where infections are endemic and the parasites have co-evolved together with their hosts. I studied the prevalence of avian haemoparasite infections in the Kruger National Park and the impact of haematozoa on host immune response. Six sites were sampled and blood from 685 birds of 87 species was microscopically screened for parasites. Haemoproteus, microfilariae, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, Aegyptianella and Hepatozoon spp. were detected. Overall prevalence was 27.33 % with 29 cases of mixed infections, which were mostly in association with Haemoproteus. Prevalence was similar for all sites and seasons, with no apparent influence of host life history traits on infection. Interestingly, immune status and body condition were better in infected than uninfected individuals. These findings reveal the complex relationship between parasites and their avian hosts in a southern African environment.LG201

Position-Related Differences in Selected Morphological Body Characteristics of Top-Level Handball Players

We aimed to establish the main morphological characteristics of Slovenian junior and senior national handball team players. Morphological characteristics for various player subgroups (goalkeepers, wings, back players and pivots) were also determined so as to establish whether they had distinct profiles. The subjects were 78 handball players who were members of the Slovenian junior and senior national team in the period from 2000 to 2007. A standardised anthropometric protocol was used to assess the subjects’ morphological characteristics. The measurements included 23 different anthropometric measures. Data were processed with the SPSS computer programme. First, basic statistical characteristics of anthropometric measures were obtained for all subjects together and then for each group separately. Somatotypes were determined using Heath-Carter’s method. Endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic components were calculated by computer on the basis of formulas. In order to determine differences in the body composition and anthropometric data of the subjects playing in different positions, a one-way analysis of variance was employed. The results show that on average the wings differ the most from the other player groups in terms of their morphological body characteristics. The values of their body height, body mass and the quantity of subcutaneous fat are statistically significantly lower than those of players in the other groups. Goalkeepers are relatively tall, with high values of body mass and low values of transversal measures. Their skin folds are the most pronounced among all groups on average and their share of subcutaneous fat in total body mass is the highest. Consequently, their endomorphic component of the somatotype is pronounced. Pivots and back players are becoming increasingly similar in terms of their morphological body characteristics. Pivots maintain greater robustness, have a higher quantity of muscle mass as well as more pronounced transversal measures and a mesomorphic component of the somatotype. The results of our study confirm that groups of handball players occupying different positions differ amongst themselves in terms of many measurements. This is a result of specific requirements of handball play which are to be fulfilled by players

Psihološke karakteristike slovenskih rukometnih vratara

Handball is a fast, dynamic sport and the role of the goalkeeper is especially exposed. However, little attention is paid in science to the development of the goalkeeper. This research is focused on the psychological characteristics of handball goalkeepers, specifically with regard to aggression, anxiety, reaction times, fluid intelligence and concentration. More and less successful goalkeepers were compared in these characteristics. Forty-six participants were included – 23 of them were more successful and 23 less successful, according to an expert evaluation. The more successful goalkeepers were also significantly older. The data was collected in 2010 and 2011. The instruments used were Buss-Durkee Aggression Questionnaire, Spielberger’s Anxiety Inventory (STAIX – 1 and 2), the Test of Series for measuring fluid intelligence, the Test of Attention for measuring concentration, and the CRD Series for measuring reaction times. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare both groups. Several significant differences between both groups were found – the less successful goalkeepers had a faster simple reaction time and made fewer mistakes when reacting to simple stimuli. They were also quicker in response times to simple visual orientation stimuli and seemed to lose less time when reacting to different stimuli. It thus seems that neither reaction times, fluid intelligence nor concentration, anxiety or aggression has influence on the quality of handball goalkeepers. The obtained result is easily explained with the age of the participants since the investigated abilities gradually decrease over time.Rukomet je brz, dinamičan sport i uloga vratara je osobito istaknuta, ali se vrlo malo pozornosti poklanja njihovu razvoju. Autori su se odlučili usmjeriti svoje istraživanje na psihološke karakteristike rukometnih vratara, posebno na agresivnost, anksioznost, vrijeme reakcije, fluidnu inteligenciju i koncentraciju. Usporedili smo uspješne i manje uspješne vratare u navedenim karakteristikama. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 46 ispitanika koji su, prema ekspertnoj procjeni, podijeljeni u 23 uspješnija (kvalitetnija) i 23 manje uspješna vratara. Uspješniji vratari bili su značajno stariji od svojih manje uspješnih kolega. Podaci su prikupljeni tijekom 2010. i 2011. godine. Korišteni su Buss-Durkeeov upitnik agresivnosti, Spielbergerov upitnik anksioznosti (STAIX – 1 i 2), test nizova (serija) za mjerenje fluidne inteligencije, test pažnje za mjerenje koncentracije te CRD test nizova za mjerenje vremena reakcije. Za uspoređivanje grupa korištena je jednosmjerna univarijatna analiza varijance (ANOVA). Utvrđene su značajne razlike između grupa: manje uspješni vratari su postigli kraće vrijeme jednostavne reakcije i činili su manje pogrešaka reagirajući na jednostavne podražaje. Bili su također brži u reakcijama na jednostavan podražaj vizualne orijentacije, a čini se da su također gubili manje vremena u reagiranju na različite podražaje. Stoga se čini kako ni vremena reakcije, ni fluidna inteligencija pa ni koncentracija, anksioznost ni agresija ne utječu na kvalitetu rukometnih vratara. Dobiveni rezultati se jednostavno mogu objasniti razlikama u dobi ispitanika budući da navedene sposobnosti postupno opadaju tijekom vremena

Hubungan Pengetahuan Ibu Tentang MP-ASI dengan Status Gizi pada Bayi Umur 6-24 Bulan

The State of malnutrition and more nutrition in infant and children is due to improper complementary feeding habits and the mother ignorance of the benefits and the correct way of providing complementary feeding so that it affects the mother’s behavior in giving MP-ASI. This research is a descriptive correlation study with a cross sectional approach. The population in this study were mothers who had children aged 6-24 months at the primary health center Putri Ayu Kota Jambi.The description of mother's knowledge about MP-ASI is in the good category as many as 51 respondents (57%). The nutritional status of infants aged 6-24 months is in the good category of 68 infants (76%). There is a significant relationship between knowledge and nutritional status where the p-value is 0.027 (p <0.05).There is a significant relationship between knowledge and nutritional status where the p-value is 0.027 (p <0.05). It is expected that mothers of toddlers play a more active role in finding information in providing good and correct MP-ASI so that toddlers grow up healthy and develop optimally. ABSTRAK Keadaan kurang gizi dan gizi yang lebih pada bayi dan anak disebabkan karena kebiasaan pemberian MP-ASI yang tidak tepat dan ketidaktahuan ibu tentang manfaat dan cara pemberian MP-ASI yang benar sehingga berpengaruh terhadap perilaku ibu dalam pemberian MP-ASI.Penelitian ini yaitu penelitian descriptive korelasi dengan pendekatan Cross Sectional. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah ibu yang mempunyai anak usia 6-24 bulan di Puskesmas Putri Ayu Kota Jambi. Gambaran pengetahuan ibu tentang MP-ASI berada dalam kategori baik yaitu sebanyak 51 responden (57%). Gambaran status gizi pada bayi usia 6-24 bulan berada dalam kategori baik yaitu 68 bayi (76%). Terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara pengetahuan dengan status gizi dimana p-Value sebesar 0,027 (p <0,05).Terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara pengetahuan dengan status gizi dimana p-Value sebesar 0,027 (p <0,05). Diharapkan ibu balita berperan lebih aktif dalam mencari informasi dalam pemberian MP-ASI yang baik dan benar agar balita tumbuh sehat dan berkembang secara optimal. Kata Kunci: MP-ASI, Status Giz

Position-Related Differences in Selected Morphological Body Characteristics of Top-Level Female Handball Players

The study aimed to establish the main morphological characteristics of Slovenian junior and senior female national handball team players. Morphological characteristics of various player subgroups (goalkeepers, wings, back players and pivots) were also determined so as to establish whether they had distinct profiles. The subjects were 87 handball players who were members of the Slovenian junior and senior female national teams in the period from 2003 to 2009. A standardised anthropometric protocol was used to assess the subjects’ morphological characteristics. The measurements included 23 different anthropometric measures. First, basic statistical characteristics of anthropometric measures were obtained for all subjects together and then for each group separately. Somatotypes were determined using Heath-Carter’s method. Endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic components were calculated by computer on the basis of formulas. In order to determine differences in the body composition and anthropometric data of the subjects playing in different positions, a one-way analysis of variance was employed. The results show that, on average, the wings differed the most from the other player groups in terms of their morphological body characteristics. The wings differed most prominently from the other player groups in terms of their morphological body parameters as they were significantly smaller and had a statistically significantly lower body mass than the other groups. In terms of transversal measures of the skeleton and the circumferences, the wings significantly differed mainly from the pivots and goalkeepers and less from the backs. The goalkeepers were the tallest, with high values of body mass and low values of transversal measures compared to P. Their skin folds were the most pronounced among all the groups on average and their share of subcutaneous fat in total body mass was the highest. Consequently, their endomorphic component of the somatotype was pronounced. Players in the Pivot position were significantly taller than the W players but were not significantly different from G and B. They had high values of body mass which were significantly higher than that of W but did not differ significantly from the body mass values of B and G. The average values of their circumferences were the highest among all the player groups and the same is true for transversal measures of the skeleton. It is very interesting that, compared to the players in other playing positions, they achieved low values of subcutaneous fat. Their values of the somatotype revealed an endo-mesomorphic somatotype, with a pronounced mesomorphic component. Back players were tall and had the lowest share of subcutaneous fat of all the player groups. Significant differences were established mainly in terms of the structure of the lower extremities. The values of the somatotype characteristics were very balanced between all three components. The results of our study confirm that groups of handball players occupying different positions differed amongst themselves in terms of many measurements. This is a result of the specific requirements of handball play which are to be met by particular players. The tallest players should thus be oriented to back player positions. As regards pivots, the coaches must, besides body height, consider robustness. For goalkeepers, body height is very important; however, the robustness criteria are slightly lower. For wings, body height is not a decisive factor and smaller players can also occupy this position. Both of the above (also taking other criteria into account) facilitate coaches’ decisions when orienting players into their playing positions

Sprungwurfausführung im Handball – ein auf der Grundlage der expertmodellierung bewertetes kinematisches Modell

The jump shot is one of the most important elements of specific handball motor behaviour. We wanted to assess it with the method of expert modelling. The sample of subjects consisted of ten male elite handball players, members of the national Slovenian teams that play in the first national handball division (average height - 191.1 ± 4.48 cm; average body mass - 90.0 ± 4.40 kg, average age - 23.4 ± 4.2 years; average training experience in senior teams - 5.3 ± 2.1 years). We analysed six backcourt players, two wing players and two pivots. Each of the subjects executed, after a 20-minute warm-up, three jump shots. Data processing was performed by APAS (Ariel Dynamics, California, USA). Expert modelling was performed with the SPEX expert system. We formed a success tree containing 17 variables, representing all five phases of the jump shot. In order to assess the validity of this kinematic model, three independent referees also assessed the quality of the jump shot. The ranks obtained from their marks were then compared with the ranks obtained with the SPEX expert model. On the basis of the obtained results we then constructed an expert mark for each analysed player. The level of concordance of the referees was high (W = 0.875), the coefficient of correlation between the actual ranks and the referee ranks was statistically significant (0.912). Our final finding is that a kinematic model of the jump shot constructed in this way can also be a good criterion for assessing the quality of the basic technique of the jump shot for seniors.Uvod Skok šut jedan je od najvažnijih specifičnih elemenata motoričkog ponašanja u rukometu pa je zbog toga vrlo važno poznavati njegovu strukturu, pri čemu nam pomaže kinematička analiza. Samo na temelju znanstvenih analiza možemo podrobno opisati tehniku izvođenja dotičnog elementa i povezati je s taktikom igre, ali i izraditi metodičke postupke za učenje i vježbanje, usavršavanje toga tehničkog elementa. Stoga je glavni cilj ovoga rada analizirati kinematički model rukometnoga skok šuta i vrednovati ga metodom ekspertnoga modeliranja. Metode Uzorak ispitanika sastojao se od desetorice rukometaša, članova slovenskih nacionalnih izabranih momčadi koji svi igraju u prvoj ligi (prosječna tjelesna visina: 191.1 ± 4.48 cm; prosječna tjelesna masa: 90.0 ± 4.40 kg, prosječna dob: 23.4 ± 4.2 go-dine; prosječno igračko i trenažno iskustvo u seni-orskim momčadima: 5.3 ± 2.1 godine), od toga šest vanjskih igrača, dva krila i dva kružna napadača. Svaki je ispitanik, nakon 20-minutnog zagrijavanja, izveo tri skok šuta punom snagom. Za prikupljanje parametara potrebnih za kinematičku analizu koristili smo uređaj APAS (Ariel Dynamics, Cali-fornia, USA). Za ekspertno modeliranje koristio se Ekspertni sutav SPEX. Oblikovali smo stablo od 17 varijabli koje su predstavljale pet faza skok šuta (zalet, odraz, let, izbačaj lopte, doskok) (tablica 1). Da bi se provjerila valjanost kinematičkog modela, tri su neovisna suca također procjenjivala kvalitetu izvedbe skok šuta svakog ispitanika. Kvaliteta izvedbe skok šuta pojedinog ispitanika izražena je prosječnom ocjenom. Definirali smo one parametre za koje smo smatrali da se mogu vizualno dovoljno kvalitetno procijeniti budući da izvedba skok šuta traje vrlo kratko (tablica 3). Tako dobiven poredak ispitanika usporedili smo s poretkom dobivenim ekspertnim modelom SPEX. Na temelju dobivenih rezultata konstruirali smo ekspertnu ocjenu za svakog ispitanika. Rezultati Apsolutne vrijednosti kinematičkih parametara (tablica 4) bili su osnovni ulazni podaci pomoću kojih je bilo moguće konstruirati i procijeniti kinematički model izvedbe skok šuta sa stajališta tehnike i na temelju ekspertnog modeliranja. Nakon unosa podataka oblikovan je odgovarajući model stabla odlučivanja. Na lijevoj strani je prikazana struktura stabla: individualne faze skok šuta napisane su velikim slovima, a varijable u pojedinim fazama napisane su malim slovima (tabli ca 5). Najviši čvor predstavlja procjenu izvedbe pojedinog ispitanika. Nakon toga su pojedini kinematički parametri ponderirani, čime je svakom čvoru pridijeljena određena razina važnosti. U čvoru “mark” ponderirane su pojedine faze skok šuta. U tablici 5 vidi se da je najveća važnost pripisana fazi izbačaja (39%), potom fazi odraza (32%) i fazi leta (18%). Najmanja je važnost pripisana zaletu i doskoku. Najvažniji parametri za pojedine faze izvedbe skok šuta definirani su kao “trajanje kontakta s podlogom za vrijeme odraza” (10.5%), “visina izbačaja” (10.5%) i “brzina lopte” (12.6%). U tablici 6 prikazan je poredak pojedinog ispitanika od prvog do desetog prema ocjenama dobivenima iz kinematičkog modela ekspertnim modeliranjem, a u tablici 7 prikazan je poredak prema procjenama triju nezavisnih sudaca (1. – najbolji; 10. - najlošiji). Stupanj slaganja sudaca bio je vrlo visok (W = 0.875), a korelacijski koeficijent između stvarnog (kinematičkog) poretka i sudačkog poretka bio je statistički značajan (0.912). Rasprava i zaključak Mjerenja učinkovitosti izvedbe pojedinog tehničkog elementa vrlo su komplicirana, a ni kriteriji nisu uvijek potpuno jednoznačni. To osobito vrijedi za rukomet gdje se pojedini tehnički element izvodi u nazočnosti i djelovanju suigrača i protivnika, uz obvezno poštovanje pravila igre. Usprkos tomu, svaki igrač na svakoj poziciji mora usavršiti sve tehničke elemente kako bi ih mogao izvoditi kao tipične i netipične varijante. Pri tome je jako važno odrediti one dijelove pojedinog tehničkog elementa koji su osobito važni za njegovu učinkovitu izvedbu. Uspješnost izvedbe udaraca na vrata (izražena kao postotak šuta) jedan je od ključnih čimbenika uspješnosti u rukometnoj utakmici – otprilike polovina svih udaraca na vrata izvede se s pozicija vanjskih igrača, a od toga 60% tehnikom skok šuta. Igrači se međusobno razlikuju po načinu izvedbe skok šuta, što se vidi i iz rezultata programa SPEX i iz ocjena sudaca. Većina razlika vjerojatno proizlazi iz razlika u morfološkim i motoričkim obilježjima pojedinih ispitanika, ali i iz specifičnosti pojedinih igračkih mjesta za koja su se ispitanici već specijalizirali. U stvaranju kinematičkog modela nismo željeli dati prednost nijednoj igračkoj poziciji zato jer smatramo da je skok šut iz ravnog zaleta na zonu osnovni element, jedan od onih elemenata rukometne igre koji se prvi uče u stupnjevitoj izobrazbi rukometaša u dobi od 10 do 13 godina. Istina je da igrači kasnije, tijekom specijalizacije za pojedina igračka mjesta, stječu i usavršavaju puno širi repertoar udaraca na vrata, no opisani skok šut i dalje ostaje osnovni udarac na vrata i svaki obra-zovani rukometaš mora biti sposoban ispravno demonstrirati dotični element. Dobiveni rezultati su obećavajući jer pokazu-ju da se tim pristupom može dobro ocijeniti kine-matička struktura skok šuta. Usporedba podataka o izvedbi skok šuta pojedinog igrača s modelnim vrijednostima (modelom) omogućuje da se otkriju nepravilnosti u izvedbi. Ubuduće bi bilo dobro da se jednako procijene i drugi rukometni tehnički ele-menti (osobito sve vrste udaraca na vrata). Bilo bi dobro da se konstruiraju modeli tehničkih eleme-nata specifični za pojedinu igračku poziciju. Pritom valja imati na umu da takav model nikako i nikada ne može obuhvatiti sve relevantne varijable koje utječu na učinkovitost, primjerice preciznost. I, što je još važnije, učinkovitost primjene pojedinog te-hničkog elementa u utakmici ne ovisi samo o kine-matičkoj ispravnosti izvedbe. Konačno, držimo da je tako konstruiran kinematički model skok šuta do-bar kriterij za procjenu kvalitete izvedbe osnovnih tehničkih elemenata kod seniora.Der Sprungwurf ist ein der wichtigsten Elemente von der spezifischen Handballmotorik, das in dieser Untersuchung nach der Methode der Expertmodellierung bewertet wurde. Zehn Handballspieler, Mitglieder der slowenischen Nationalmannschaft, die in der ersten Nationaldivision spielen (Durchschnittsgröße 191,1 ± 4,48 cm; durchschnittliche Körpermasse 90,0 ± 4,40 kg, Durchschnittsalter 23,4 ± 4,2 Jahre; durchschnittliche Trainingerfahrung in Seniorenmannschaften 5,3 ± 2,2 Jahre), haben nach einer Aufwärmungszeit von 20 Minuten drei Sprungwürfe ausgeführt. Die Datenbearbeitung wurde mit APAS (Ariel Dynamics, California, U.S.A.) und die Expertmodellierung mit dem SPEX-Expertsystem durchgeführt. Danach wurde ein Erfolgsbaum mit 17 Variablen geformt, die alle fünf Phasen des Sprungwurfs darstellen. Um die Gültigkeit des ausgewählten kinematischen Modells zu prüfen, wurde die Sprungwurfsqualität auch von drei unabhängigen Schiedsrichtern bewertet. Die aus ihren Bewertungen erworbene Reihenfolge wurde dann mit der mit dem SPEX-Expertmodell erworbenen Reihenfolge verglichen. Auf der Grundlage der erworbenen Ergebnissewurde dann für jeden analysierten Spieler eine Expertnote erstellt festgelegt. Die Übereinstimmung zwischen den Noten der einzelnen Schiedsrichter war hoch (W = 0,875) und der Korrelationskoeffizient der tatsächlichen und der von den Schiedsrichtern ermittelten Reihenfolge statistisch bedeutend (0,912). Als Endergebnis ergab die Untersuchung, dass das auf diese Weise konstruierte kinematische Sprungwurfmodell auch ein gutes Kriterium zur Beurteilung der Qualität der Grundtechnik des Sprungwurfs bei Senioren sein kann

Position-Related Differences in Selected Morphological Body Characteristics of Top-Level Female Handball Players

The study aimed to establish the main morphological characteristics of Slovenian junior and senior female national handball team players. Morphological characteristics of various player subgroups (goalkeepers, wings, back players and pivots) were also determined so as to establish whether they had distinct profiles. The subjects were 87 handball players who were members of the Slovenian junior and senior female national teams in the period from 2003 to 2009. A standardised anthropometric protocol was used to assess the subjects’ morphological characteristics. The measurements included 23 different anthropometric measures. First, basic statistical characteristics of anthropometric measures were obtained for all subjects together and then for each group separately. Somatotypes were determined using Heath-Carter’s method. Endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic components were calculated by computer on the basis of formulas. In order to determine differences in the body composition and anthropometric data of the subjects playing in different positions, a one-way analysis of variance was employed. The results show that, on average, the wings differed the most from the other player groups in terms of their morphological body characteristics. The wings differed most prominently from the other player groups in terms of their morphological body parameters as they were significantly smaller and had a statistically significantly lower body mass than the other groups. In terms of transversal measures of the skeleton and the circumferences, the wings significantly differed mainly from the pivots and goalkeepers and less from the backs. The goalkeepers were the tallest, with high values of body mass and low values of transversal measures compared to P. Their skin folds were the most pronounced among all the groups on average and their share of subcutaneous fat in total body mass was the highest. Consequently, their endomorphic component of the somatotype was pronounced. Players in the Pivot position were significantly taller than the W players but were not significantly different from G and B. They had high values of body mass which were significantly higher than that of W but did not differ significantly from the body mass values of B and G. The average values of their circumferences were the highest among all the player groups and the same is true for transversal measures of the skeleton. It is very interesting that, compared to the players in other playing positions, they achieved low values of subcutaneous fat. Their values of the somatotype revealed an endo-mesomorphic somatotype, with a pronounced mesomorphic component. Back players were tall and had the lowest share of subcutaneous fat of all the player groups. Significant differences were established mainly in terms of the structure of the lower extremities. The values of the somatotype characteristics were very balanced between all three components. The results of our study confirm that groups of handball players occupying different positions differed amongst themselves in terms of many measurements. This is a result of the specific requirements of handball play which are to be met by particular players. The tallest players should thus be oriented to back player positions. As regards pivots, the coaches must, besides body height, consider robustness. For goalkeepers, body height is very important; however, the robustness criteria are slightly lower. For wings, body height is not a decisive factor and smaller players can also occupy this position. Both of the above (also taking other criteria into account) facilitate coaches’ decisions when orienting players into their playing positions