Lower limb injuries in women’s handball, protocols, and most common tests: a systematic review

Abstract

The lower limbs are critical to athletic performance in handball, with strength and power being key variables. Previous studies have shown the importance of studying the rate of force development and the reactive strength index to enhance sports performance and prevent sports injuries. Given the limited research on this subject, the objective of this study was to analyze the effects of plyometric, neuromuscular, and strength training on performance and injury-related kinetic and biomechanical factors in female handball players and to identify commonly used functional and biomechanical tests for injury risk and performance assessment. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and included eight clinical trials. These studies compared various training programs between the control and experimental groups, focusing on biomechanical analysis, strength training, plyometrics, neuromuscular, and standard training. The findings of this systematic review demonstrate the benefits of incorporating supplementary training into traditional handball training, specifically focusing on strength parameters and plyometric and proprioceptive exercises. Furthermore, controlling eccentric actions and addressing body asymmetries between the dominant and nondominant lower limbs reduces the risk of injuries and accelerates the rehabilitation process for injured handball players.