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

  • SPORTS MEDICINE
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

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.

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Abbreviations

ACL:

Anterior cruciate ligament

AGA:

Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery

ANOVA:

One-way analysis of variance

BiA:

Back in action

BMI:

Body mass index

CI:

Confidence interval

cm:

Centimeter

EB:

Emotional balance

Fig.:

Figure

LoA:

Lack of activation

MPC:

Mental performance capability

ms:

Milliseconds

MS:

Muscular stress

NES:

Negative emotional state

OL-CMJ:

One-legged counter movement jumps

OL-ST:

One-legged stability test

OL-SJ:

One-legged speedy jumps

OR:

Overall recovery

OS:

Overall stress

PPC:

Physical performance capability

Pt.:

Point

Pts.:

Points

QF:

Quick feed test

RTS:

Return to sport

s:

Seconds

SD:

Standard deviation

SRSS:

Short version of the sport-specific Acute and Recovery Stress Scale

TL-CMJ:

Two-legged counter movement jumps

TL-PJ:

Two-legged plyometric jumps

TL-ST:

Two-legged stability test

W:

Watt

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Funding

Funded by institutional resources (Chair/Faculty).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147, Essen, Germany

    Alina Rühlemann, Constantin Mayer, Thomas Albrecht & Marcus Jäger

Authors
  1. Alina Rühlemann
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  2. Constantin Mayer
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  3. Thomas Albrecht
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  4. Marcus Jäger
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Contributions

The authors AR and MJ have concepted and designed the study. Acquisition of data was performed by AR and CM. Analysis and interpretation of data were done by AR, CM, TA, and MJ. AR and CM have been involved in drafting the manuscript. AR, CM, TA, and MJ have been involved in revising it critically for important intellectual content. AR, CM, TA, and MJ have given the final approval of the version to be published. AR, CM, TA, and MJ agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Marcus Jäger.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the ethical committee of the University of Duisburg-Essen (#18-8078-BO).

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Rühlemann, A., Mayer, C., Albrecht, T. et al. Functional knee stability in non-elite handball: balance and jump performance differ based on players’ position. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 28, 1212–1220 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05693-y

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