Assessment of the lower extremity functional and muscular performance in young female handball athletes

• Published in: Kinesiology (Zagreb, Croatia) Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 62 - 71
• Main Authors: Wiprich, Melissa Talita, Silva, Aldo Coelho, Cecconi, Matheus Pauletti, Plein, Rafael Francis, Tadiello, Gerson Saciloto, Bonetti, Leandro Vicosa
• Format: Journal Article Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Zagreb Sveuciliste U Zagrebu 01-06-2022; Sveuciliste u Zagrebu, Kinezioloski Fakultet; Kineziološki fakultet
• Subjects: Analysis; Athletes; functional evaluation; Handball; muscle strength; Physical fitness; team handball; young female athletes; Brazil
• ISSN: 1331-1441; 1848-638X
• DOI: 10.26582/k.54.1.7

A low
physical fitness and incorrect technique could result in muscle strength
imbalance and poor dynamic/static balance in handball players. This study aimed
to evaluate the muscular and functional performance of lower limbs in young
handball athletes. Twelve female handball athletes performed isokinetic tests
at 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s for the knee’s extensor and flexor muscles
and functional tests for lower limbs. There were no differences between the
limbs in the knee’s muscles’ peak torque, while the values of the conventional
ratio were below the recommended. In functional tests, no significant changes
were observed. Nevertheless, the composite score of the Y-Balance test
demonstrated values below the suggested. Overall, the results showed that
female youth handball athletes had symmetry between the limbs; however, there
was a tendency to muscle imbalance (hamstrings weaker than quadriceps), and
dynamic balance deficits that might increase the risk of musculoskeletal
injury.