Profiling the isokinetic shoulder rotator muscle strength in 13- to 36-year-old male and female handball players

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the external (ER) and internal rotator (IR) muscles' isokinetic peak torque and conventional and functional strength ratios in handball players and controls of different ages.

Design: Cross-sectional and descriptive analysis.

Setting: Exercise Physiology Laboratory.

Participants: A total of 228 participants (108 athletes and 120 controls) were divided into five groups according to age, ranging from 13 to 36 years old.

Main outcome measures: Isokinetic tests were performed concentrically at 60 and 300 deg s(-1) and eccentrically at 300 deg s(-1).

Results: The differences between the athletes and controls regarding the peak torque of the ER and IR muscles were significant in males older than 18 years. The peak torque of the IR and ER muscles increased significantly across age in male athletes, but not in female athletes, except in the case of ER peak torque, which differed significantly between 13 and 16 years old. The female athletes presented higher conventional ratios (0.81 ± 0.07) than males (0.66 ± 0.08). Values represent means and standard deviations. Athletes and controls showed mean functional strength ratios below 1.0.

Conclusions: Although there were no muscular ratio differences between the athletes and the controls, their ratio values were below the literature-recommended reference values to prevent shoulder injuries.

Keywords: Age; Handball; Isokinetic dynamometer; Strength imbalance.