Athletic Performance, Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry
Conditions
Keywords
Female Handball, Isokinetic Strength, Plyometric Training, Unilateral Training, Strength Asymmetry
Brief summary
Lower-limb strength asymmetry is common among female handball players and may negatively affect athletic performance while increasing injury risk. This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of a six-week unilateral compound training program on lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic muscle strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio, body composition, and physical performance in competitive female handball players. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving unilateral compound training in addition to regular handball training or a control group continuing regular handball training only. It was hypothesized that unilateral compound training would reduce strength asymmetry and improve neuromuscular performance compared with regular training alone.
Detailed description
emale handball requires repeated sprinting, jumping, rapid changes of direction, and unilateral movements that may contribute to the development of lower-limb strength asymmetries. Such asymmetries have been associated with impaired athletic performance and an increased risk of injury. Although unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises have shown beneficial effects individually, evidence regarding the effectiveness of unilateral compound training in female handball players remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a six-week unilateral compound training program on lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios, body composition, sprint performance, change-of-direction ability, countermovement jump performance, and single-leg jump performance in competitive female handball players. Thirty competitive female handball players were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group completed unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises three times per week for six weeks in addition to regular handball training, whereas the control group continued regular handball training only. Outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized laboratory procedures. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of unilateral compound training for reducing lower-limb asymmetry and improving sport-specific performance in female handball athletes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALUnilateral Compound Training
Participants in the experimental group completed a supervised unilateral compound training program three times per week for six weeks in addition to their regular handball training. The intervention consisted of progressive unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises designed to improve lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic muscle strength, neuromuscular performance, sprint performance, change-of-direction ability, and jump performance.
Sponsors
University of Gaziantep
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The experimental group completed a six-week unilateral compound training program in addition to regular handball training, whereas the control group continued regular handball training only. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female handball players aged 18-25 years. * Competing in the Turkish Women's 2nd Handball League. * Regular participation in team training (4 sessions/week) and official matches. * Voluntary participation with written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Current musculoskeletal injury or pain preventing participation in training. * History of lower-limb surgery within the previous 12 months. * Neurological, cardiovascular, or other medical conditions affecting exercise participation. * Failure to complete the intervention or assessment procedures.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Lower-limb strength asymmetry was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry before and after the intervention. Changes in asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs were compared between the experimental and control groups. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Isokinetic Knee Extensor Strength | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Peak torque of the knee extensor muscles measured using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after the intervention. |
| Isokinetic Knee Flexor Strength | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Peak torque of the knee flexor muscles measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. |
| Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Ratio | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio calculated from isokinetic knee muscle strength measurements. |
| 20-m Sprint Performance | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Sprint time measured over 20 meters. |
| Change-of-Direction Performance | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Change-of-direction performance assessed using the agility test employed in the study protocol. |
| Countermovement Jump Height | Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention | Vertical jump height assessed using the countermovement jump test. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed