Assessment of the lower extremity functional and muscular performance in

young female handball athletes

A low

physical fitness and incorrect technique could result in muscle strength

imbalance and poor dynamic/static balance in handball players. This study aimed

to evaluate the muscular and functional performance of lower limbs in young

handball athletes. Twelve female handball athletes performed isokinetic tests

at 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s for the knee’s extensor and flexor muscles

and functional tests for lower limbs. There were no differences between the

limbs in the knee’s muscles’ peak torque, while the values of the conventional

ratio were below the recommended. In functional tests, no significant changes

were observed. Nevertheless, the composite score of the Y-Balance test

demonstrated values below the suggested. Overall, the results showed that

female youth handball athletes had symmetry between the limbs; however, there

was a tendency to muscle imbalance (hamstrings weaker than quadriceps), and

dynamic balance deficits that might increase the risk of musculoskeletal

injury.