Functional Knee Performance Differences in Handball are Depending on Playing Class

Abstract

Handball is one of the most traumatic sports. The knee is the most commonly injured joint. To prevent knee injuries, optimal functional knee stability is of great importance. Nevertheless, there is still no consensus about objective criteria for knee function. Depending on playing class, injury rates seem to differ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate knee function in handball depending on playing class and to establish reference data for functional knee stability. 261 handball players (25.1±5.8 years) performed a functional test including two- and one-legged stability assessments, jump tests, speed and agility analysis. Except for balance, differences between playing classes were detected in all tests with superior performance of high-class players (Germany’s 1st (“Oberliga”) and 2nd (“Verbandsliga”) non-elite playing class). High-class players achieved significant better results in jumping height (p≤0.011–0.029), relative power per body weight in the two-legged counter movement jump (p≤0.023) and speed and agility tests (p≤0.001). This study illustrates the relevance of playing class specific screening. Sports and playing class-specific databases will help to identify individual deficits and strengths in order to prevent injury and increase performance. Moreover, objective criteria for return to sports can be established.

Measures of Knee Capability in Handball Players Differ by Age: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Similar findings were recently reported by Szymski [51] for soccer players of different leagues, but also for handball players of different leagues [52].…”

The Importance of Posture And Body Composition for the Stability and Selected Motor Abilities of Professional Handball Players

“…Body posture is a characteristic feature of every human being. It is an external reflection of the structure and functional state of the musculoskeletal system, as well as temperament, character and mood (Asker et al, 2018;Rühlemann et al, 2020;Rousanoglou et al, 2014). Posture is an indicator of proper development as well as static and dynamic fitness of the body (Wilczyński, 2018;Zwierzchowska et al, 2014Zwierzchowska et al, , 2020.…”