In the present study the role of age on the anthropometric characteristics and physical activities of several young handball players hailing from different parts of West Bengal has been undertaken in order to find out players from different age groups with potential of becoming good. A total of sixty five (N=65) male handball players with at least one year training were selected from different district handball associations of West Bengal, as subjects for this study. The subjects were divided in to three groups according to their ages - i) under 15 (N = 25, Age = 13.27 ± 0.67 (y), height = 155.08 ± 8.3 (cm), mass = 42.92 ± 8.77 (kg)), ii) under 17 (N = 20, Age = 15.7 ± 0.47 (y), height = 165.2 ± 5.43 (cm), mass = 53.55 ± 8.39 (kg)) and iii) under 19 (N = 20, Age = 16.86 ± 0.91, height = 164.57 ± 6.25 (cm), mass = 55.86 ± 8.5 (kg)). They were tested for: speed through 30 meter dash on a flat field, agility through 4 x 10m shuttle run on the same field, power through standing broad jump on a broad jumping pit and medicine ball throw on the field, positive work done through standing vertical jump against a straight wall, strength endurance through standard push up, pull up and sit ups and endurance through Astrand-Ryhming step test performed as per standard technique. Normality of the data was tested through Anderson-Darling test and data analysis was done using one-way ANOVA followed by Post-Hoc [Tukey Kramer new multiple range test (MRT)] analysis through Gnumeric software. Our observation and assessment point somewhat reversal of Relative Age Effect on the motor fitness (parameters defined earlier) of junior level athletes and a better future prospect of the handball players of under 15 years age group. The reason behind this could be their psychological motivation of doing better contrary to the general idea that performance maturity of players develops with age. A time based analysis with insights is required for determining the specific anthropological characteristics in the choice of quality level of physically and physiologically fit players.
