A comparison of injury risk screening tools in turkish young elite male handball players based on field positions

Abstract

Purpose: Handball is one of the team sports that common injuries reported. Movement analyses and detecting functionally limited areas have been of utmost importance for eliminating injury risks. This study aimed to determine the injury risks and compare them according to field positions in young Turkish elite male handball players. Methods: Fifty-four players (age=15.69±0.47 years, height=182.80±6.53 cm, weight=82.09±14.28 kg, body mass index=24.52±3.77 kg/m2) who were invited to the U17 National Handball Team participated in the study. Descriptive data with physical characteristics were obtained. Injury risk was assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test, Y-Balance Test (YBT)-Upper Extremity, and YBT-Lower Extremity tests. The overall scores for FMS, YBT-Upper Extremity, and YBT-Lower Extremity were calculated for all subjects. Results: The field positions were distributed as goalkeepers (n=7), back players (n=24), wing players (n=13), and pivots (n=10). Based on the field positions, pivots and goalkeepers were determined as having the lowest scores regarding FMS and YBT-Upper Extremity (p<0.05). Conclusion: Players who compete in the positions of goalkeeper and pivot might have higher injury risk due to lower FMS and YBT-Upper Extremity scores. These results would allow the trainers and players to observe the current status and to implement the injury prevention programs.