Overuse problems in Icelandic male handball: Search for risk factors in the knee, low-back and shoulder

Abstract

The aims of this project were: 1) to provide data regarding the physical abilities of Icelandic male handball players, by using 9+ screening test. 2) to register prevalence of overuse problems in the knee, low-back and dominant shoulder and to investigate if 9+ screening test score could predict for overuse problems. 3) to record the players training load during pre-season, to register prevalence of overuse problems in the knee, low back and dominant shoulder and assess the possible association between the training volume and overuse problems. Several physical factors from players from 13 handball teams were tested using a 9+ screening test with players earning score according to their performance. The players answered the Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) overuse questionnaire regarding overuse problems in the knee, low-back and shoulder during one competitive season. During a 6-week pre-season, players from 10 teams answered the OSTRC overuse questionnaire weekly. The coaches recorded their teams training volume and training types. The main results were that age-related differences were observed. Junior players displayed lower scores than senior players in tests measuring abdominal strength and stability, but higher in tests measuring trunk and shoulder mobility. About 30% of the players reported overuse problems (OP) in the knee, low-back or shoulder at any given time during the research period. Ten percent reported substantial overuse problems (SOP), affecting their performance and/or participation. No association was found between overuse problems and the 9+ screening test score. The prevalence of OP and SOP was higher in the shoulder in the pre-season compared to the competitive season, but lower in SOP in the low-back. The knees were most susceptible for OP during the pre-season, with running exercises and shooting practice as the main risk factors. Jumping was associated with OP in the low-back.

Markmið verkefnisins var: 1) Að afla gagna um líkamlegt atgervi íslenskra handknattleiksmanna með 9+ skimunarprófi. 2) Að skrá algengi og alvarleika álagseinkenna í hnjám, mjóbaki og ríkjandi öxl og kanna hvort skor úr 9+ skimunarprófi hefði forspárgildi fyrir álagseinkenni. 3) Að skrásetja æfingaálag leikmanna, ásamt algengi og alvarleika álagseinkenna í hnjám, mjóbaki og ríkjandi öxl á undirbúningstímabili og kanna hvort samband sé þar á milli. Nokkrir þættir líkamlegrar getu leikmanna frá 13 íslenskum handknattleiksliðum voru prófaðir með 9+ skimunarprófi að og hlutu leikmenn einkunn miðað við frammistöðu. Leikmenn svöruðu Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) álagseinkenna spurningalista um breytingar á þátttöku, æfingamagni, frammistöðu og verkjum tengt álagseinkennum yfir heilt keppnistímabil. Á sex vikna undirbúningstímabili svöruðu leikmenn frá 10 íslenskum liðum OSTRC spurningalistanum vikulega ásamt því sem þjálfarar liðanna skráðu æfingaálag og tegundir æfinga. Helstu niðurstöður voru þær að ungir leikmenn hlutu lægri einkunn en þeir eldri í prófunum er mældu stöðugleika og styrk í bol, en hærri einkunn í prófum sem mældu liðleika í öxlum og bol. Um 30% leikmanna voru með óþægindi (OP) í hnjám, mjóbaki eða öxlum á hverjum tíma og um 10% leikmanna voru með umtalsverð óþægindi (SOP), sem höfðu áhrif á iðkun og frammistöðu. Algengi álagseinkenna í móbaki var hærra en í sambærilegum rannsóknum. Engin tengsl fundust á milli einkunnar á 9+ skimunarprófinu og álagstengdra einkenna. Algengi álagseinkenna var hærra í öxlum á undirbúningstímabili en á keppnistímabili, en lægra í SOP í mjóbaki. Hné voru mest útsett fyrir álagseinkennum og voru hlaup og skotæfingar líklegustu orsakavaldarnir. Hopp orsökuðu OP frá mjóbaki.