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Ghazi El-Kailani1, Ayed Zureigat1, Khaled Atiyat1, Nidal ALqasem2, Omar A’mir3, Mersal AL-Mersal4, Osama Abdel Fattah1

1University of Jordan, School of Sports Science, Amman, Jordan
2Palestine Technical Universities –Kadoorie, Tulkarm, Palestine
3Applied Science Private University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Physical Education, Amman, Jordan
4An-Najah National University, Departments of Physical Education, Nablus, Palestine

Correlation Between Body Mass Index, Self-Esteem and Stress Among Female Handball Players

Sport Mont 2026, 24(1), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.260212

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between body mass index, self-esteem, and stress among female hand- ball players. In addition, it explores the differences in the level of stress and Self-esteem according to body mass index (BMI) and years of training. A total of 122 elite handball players participated in this study, with age, height, body mass, and body mass index assessed and expressed as mean ± standard deviation: 21.5±3.5 years, 1.69±0.09 m, 65.5±4.47 kg, and 22.94±3.52 kg/m², respectively. The applied the Self-esteem test (SEs) and perceived stress test (PS-s) to obtain the study data. The study’s objectives were achieved by applying means, standard deviations, and one-way ANOVA anal- ysis, with a confidence level of 95%. The study results revealed that a moderate level of the PS-s test (14.31) according to the scoring PS-s test, and there are statistically significant differences in PS-s according to the BMI variable and in favour of the normal category (12.95). Simultaneously, the level of perceived stress increased with the increase in the BMI category. However, the self-esteem level was high in general (32.50). Notably, all BMI categories achieved high levels of self-esteem with an advantage over the normal weight category (35.98). The current study showed a statisti- cally significant association between BMI and stress level (r=0.253). Based on the results, further studies can focus on gender and play position variables.

Keywords

years of training, sport, categories, play position, self-concept, female athletes



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