Position Differences and Physical Performance Among Female Team Handball Players

Our study was conducted to compare the physical performances of the upper extremity and lower extremity of handball players according to the positions they played.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 39 elite female handball players with at least of 5 years playing experience were tested.Maximal voluntary isometric (MVIC) knee flexion and extension strength were measured using a handheld dynamometer (HDD) (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN). Lower extremity vertical power was identified through the use of the VertiMetric (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN) according to protocols suggested by Ambegaonkar et al. Trunk extension endurance was measured using the Biering-Sorensen test as previously described.The Davies test (DT) was used to assess upper body agility and stabilization.The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) was utilized to assess shoulder performance function and stability according to protocol suggested by Goldbeck and Davies.The Shark Skill Test (SST) was developed in order to assess lower extremity agility and neuromuscular control.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Physical Performance; Handball Players; Position Differences

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 40

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Etlik
    • Ankara, Etlik, Turkey, 06010
      • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 40 years (ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 39 elite female handball players with at least of 5 years playing experience were tested. Player positions were identified for each athlete by their coaches or by self-report as: goalkeepers, centres, pivots, or wing players. All of them were playing in the premier Turkish professional handball league.

Description

All athletes were asymptomatic and had passed medical examinations prior to inclusion and participation in the study. Exclusion criteria included history of injury or surgery that may affect their lower and upper limbs and any lower and upper limb injuries within the last three months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

5

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Muscle strength; Maximal voluntary isometric (MVIC) knee flexion and extension strength were measured using a handheld dynamometer (HDD) (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN).
Lower Extremity Vertical Power; Lower extremity vertical power was identified through the use of the VertiMetric (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN) according to protocols suggested by Ambegaonkar et al.
Trunk Extension Endurance; Trunk extension endurance was measured using the Biering-Sorensen test as previously described
Upper Limb Performance; The Davies test (DT) was used to assess upper body agility and stabilization.The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) was utilized to assess shoulder performance function and stability according to protocol suggested by Goldbeck and Davies.
Lower Limb Performance; The Shark Skill Test (SST) was developed in order to assess lower extremity agility and neuromuscular control.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength	Maximal voluntary isometric (MVIC) knee flexion and extension strength were measured using a handheld dynamometer (HDD) (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN).	2 weeks
Lower Extremity Vertical Power	Lower extremity vertical power was identified through the use of the VertiMetric (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN) according to protocols suggested by Ambegaonkar et al.	2 weeks
Trunk Extension Endurance	Trunk extension endurance was measured using the Biering-Sorensen test as previously described.	2 weeks
Upper Limb Performance	The Davies test (DT) was used to assess upper body agility and stabilization.The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) was utilized to assess shoulder performance function and stability according to protocol suggested by Goldbeck and Davies.	2 weeks
Lower Limb Performance	The Shark Skill Test (SST) was developed in order to assess lower extremity agility and neuromuscular control.	2 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
• Collaborators: Cyprus International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Bünyamin Haksever, PhD, Cyprus International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): September 21, 2020
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): October 17, 2020
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): October 28, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 21, 2020
• First Posted (ACTUAL): September 24, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): January 12, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 11, 2021
• Last Verified: January 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2020-242

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No