Functional knee stability in non-elite handball: balance and jump performance differ based on players' position

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the great evolvement of sports medicine, there is still a lack of consensus among sports physicians regarding the decision of return to sports after knee injury, especially in non-elite sports. Currently, no sport-specific reference data for an objective reliable evaluation of functional knee stability exist. The purpose of this study was to assess objective measures on knee joint stability from an established test battery in non-elite handball. It was assumed that players' knee stability differs depending on their field position.

Methods: One-hundred and sixty-five non-elite handball players with a mean age of 24.3 ± 5.5 years underwent a test battery including two-legged and one-legged stability tests, two-legged and one-legged counter movement jumps, two-legged plyometric jumps, one-legged speedy jumps, and a quick feed test.

Results: Athletes' physical performance differs in terms of field position. Significant differences between handball players of different positions were found in regard to two-legged stability (p < 0.036) and one-legged stability in the dominant leg (p < 0.009). Players of different positions differed in ground contact time of the plyometric jumps (p < 0.017), whereas the other functional tests did not show significant differences.

Conclusion: This study is first to report differences in functional knee stability of non-elite handball players on the basis of objective data. Significant differences of functional performance were noted, which were in congruence with position-specific demands. These findings demonstrate the importance of position-specific screening and training to prevent injuries.

Level of evidence: II.

Keywords: Functional knee stability; Non-elite handball; Players’ position; Reference data; Test battery.