Effect of Isokinetic Shoulder Performance, Electromyographic Activation and Throwing Velocity on Shooting Accuracy in Elite Male Handball Players

Abstract

In this study the isokinetic shoulder strength, muscular activation and throwing velocity parameters of elite handball players and their relationship with shooting accuracy was determined. Seventeen (17) male handball players (age: 23.17 +/- 3.10 years; weight: 85.52 +/- 13.48kg; height: 184.35 +/- 6.56cm) participated in the study. The isokinetic test was administered with an isokinetic dynamometer system in the shoulder internal and external rotation (IR-ER) movements during the concentric mode (90 degrees/s, 180 degrees/s and 240 degrees/s). Electromyographic activations and throwing velocities were recorded during the shooting accuracy protocol. Simple linear regression and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the effect of the measured parameters on the shooting accuracy rate. Peak torque (PT) variables at the shoulder IRs 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 240 degrees angular speeds had an adverse effect on the shooting accuracy (p=0.029; p=0.037; p=0.033 respectively). There was no relationship between muscular activation, throwing velocity variables and shooting accuracy (p>0.05). It seems to indicate that shoulder IR PT variables have an adverse effect on throwing accuracy. The development of shoulder area muscles with appropriate loads, which have a major effect during shooting, should be taken into consideration by personal trainers and coaches.