Shoulder isokinetic profile of male handball players of the Brazilian National Team

Abstract

Background

Data obtained on an isokinetic dynamometer are useful to characterize muscle status and have been reported in muscle imbalance studies in different types of sport. However, few studies have assessed elite handball players to establish reference values.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare, for the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) side, the isokinetic profile of shoulder rotator muscle strength between male handball players (H) and asymptomatic non-athletes (NA).

Method

Isokinetic concentric and eccentric strength tests for D upper limbs were performed by the H group (n=20) and the NA group (n=12). Internal and external rotator muscle peak torque in concentric action was assessed at 60°/s and 300°/s and in eccentric action at 300°/s. We also calculated conventional balance (the ratio of external rotator peak torque to internal rotator peak torque in concentric action) and functional balance (the ratio of external rotator peak torque in eccentric action to internal rotator peak torque in concentric action).

Results

In the H group, dominant limbs were stronger in concentric action for external rotation at 60 and 300°/s. The conventional balance ratio for the D side was significantly lower at 60 and 300°/s for H compared to NA. The functional ratio for the D side was significantly lower at 300º/s for H compared to NA.

Conclusions

Compared to asymptomatic non-athletes, handball players presented significant muscular imbalance resulting from daily sports practice, a known risk factor for shoulder injuries.

Introduction

In sporting activities that require repetitive bouts of high-velocity upper limb movement, shoulder injuries and pain are common^1-4, especially in the limbs involved in high velocity throwing^5-7. Therefore, a major challenge for health and sports medicine professionals that work with overhead athletes is the development of effective shoulder injury prevention programs. Muscle variables obtained on an isokinetic dynamometer are useful in characterizing muscle status as they provide information about strength, power, endurance, and balance ratio (conventional and functional ratios). In this context, conventional balance ratio (external rotation/internal rotation in concentric action) and functional balance ratio (external rotation in eccentric action/internal rotation in concentric action) have been used by several authors in an attempt to identify muscle strength imbalances that may lead to injury^1,6-13 and to establish preventive shoulder muscular strengthening programs^14,15.

Although isokinetic muscle strength measurement has been well studied and reported in muscle imbalance studies in different types of sports activities^13,16-19, few studies have addressed this issue in handball players. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation is to compare the shoulder functional and conventional balance ratios in male handball players and asymptomatic non-athletes and to establish reference values for the correct interpretation of isokinetic test results in both healthy and injured handball players for performance enhancement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. We hypothesized that long-term training can cause alterations in the conventional and functional ratios of handball players when compared with non-athletes as a result of the specific muscular requirements of handball.

Method

Subjects

Twenty male handball players and twelve non-athletes, who served as controls, participated in the study. The handball players (H) group was recruited from the Brazilian National Handball Team and the non-athletes (NA) group was composed of students recruited from Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. None of the subjects from the NA group were involved in any sports with predominant use of upper limbs, such as volleyball, tennis or swimming. All subjects were informed of the intent and procedures of the study and signed an informed consent form before data collection. The study protocol was approved by the University's Ethics Committee (protocol number: 1053/10, UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). Handball players continued their regular training program and were asked to refrain from strenuous workouts the day before each test with the trainer's consent. The Brazilian National Handball Team is comprised of 4 goalkeepers, 3 circle runners, 5 backs, 4 wingers, and 4 centers. The physical characteristics of the H group and the NA group were as follows (mean±SD): age: 27.7±3.7 yrs; weight: 92.2±9.7 kg; height: 186.3±6.7 cm; and age: 23.4±2.2 yrs and weight: 66.0±14.0 kg; height: 176.2±7.0 cm, respectively. All subjects were asymptomatic and free from pain and any upper extremity injury at the time of testing as well as over the year before data collection.

Test procedures

Before isokinetic testing, a 5-min warm-up was performed on an arm-cycle-ergometer (Cybex Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY, USA) at a resistance level of 25 W followed by light stretching exercises. Following the warm-up, subjects were placed on the isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex - division of Lumex, Cybex 6000, Ronkonkowa, NY, USA) to evaluate concentric and eccentric strength measures for the non-dominant (ND) upper limb, presented only for sample characterization, and the dominant (D) upper limb. Subjects assumed the supine position, and standard stabilization strapping was placed across their chest and hips. The upper extremity was positioned with the shoulder abducted to 90° and the elbow flexed to 90°, according to manufacturer specification. Strength of internal and external rotators was tested through 120° of range of motion (between 60° of internal rotation and 60° of external rotation). According to Edouard et al.²⁰ and Forthomme et al.²¹, who set the maximal external rotation (ER) range of motion at 55°, we chose maximal 60° for ER action to prevent excessive range of motion of the shoulder joint.

Subjects performed three submaximal trials to familiarize themselves with the range of motion and the accommodating resistance of the dynamometer. The subjects were then tested with a maximum of five repetitions carried out at angular speeds of 60°/s and 300°/s for concentric action and 300°/s for eccentric action. This number of repetitions has demonstrated high reliability for isokinetic testing. The angular testing velocities were chosen according to the criteria of Andrade et al.¹³. All participants were tested on internal rotation first. A 60-s rest period was used between sets for all subjects to prevent fatigue build-up. Consistent verbal commands were given during test. All subjects were tested by one examiner who was trained and experienced in the use of isokinetic testing devices. Before testing, the dynamometer was calibrated according to the manufacturer specifications and was checked prior to testing each subject.

Assessment of conventional and functional ratios

Because of the critical role of the rotator cuff muscles to shoulder stabilization, the evaluation of shoulder internal rotator and external rotator isokinetic muscle strength is important for rehabilitation and preventive strategies^12,13. To this end, we established for both groups the conventional ratio (external rotation-internal rotation in concentric action) and the functional ratio (external rotation in eccentric action-internal rotation in concentric action) in order to assess possible muscle strength imbalances which could lead to injuries.

Statistical analysis

Results are shown as mean±SD. All variables presented normal distribution according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. A multifactorial repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA 2 X 2) was employed to investigate main effects for groups and sides. Statistical analyses were conducted using GraphPad Prism (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA). The level of significance was set at P<0.05. In addition, in the comparisons where significant differences were observed, we calculated Cohen's d and the effect-size correlation values, using the means and standard deviation data of the groups.

Results

In order to compare isokinetic peak torque values between groups, we normalized isokinetic peak torque values by the groups' body mass. Table 1 and 2 show the relative values of peak torque found for concentric and eccentric internal and external rotations for the ND and D limbs at 60 and 300°/s, respectively. The relative concentric peak torque values for internal rotation were significantly higher for the H group on the D side at 60°/s (22.5%, effect size=-0.92, and d=-5.05) and on the ND side (25.3%, effect size=-0.94, and d=-5.66) than those observed in the NA group. In addition, the relative concentric peak torque values for internal rotation were significantly higher for the H group on the ND side at 300º/s (19.6%, effect size=-0.90, and d=-4.31) than those observed in the NA group. In the eccentric action, relative peak torque values for internal rotation were significantly lower for the NA group on the D side at 300°/s (25.0%, effect size=-0.94, and d=-6.0) and on the ND side (26.2%, effect size=-0.94, and d=-5.51) than those observed in the H group.

Table 1.

Relative maximal isokinetic concentric joint torque for dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) upper limbs at 60 and 300°/s angular speeds for the non-athlete (NA) group (n=12) and the handball players (H) group (n=20) groups.

		ND		D
		NA	H	NA	H
60°/s (Nm/kg)
	IRCC	0.50±0.03	0.67±0.03†	0.55±0.02	0.71±0.04†
	Range	0.36-0.73	0.42-1.00	0.44-0.80	0.47-1.05
	ERCC	0.46±0.04	0.47±0.01	0.55±0.04	0.51±0.03
	Range	0.32-0.86	0.37-0.64	0.34-1.00	0.27-0.82
300°/s (Nm/kg)
	IRCC	0.45±0.03	0.56±0.02†	0.50±0.03	0.60±0.03
	Range	0.34-0.65	0.42-0.85	0.32-0.73	0.41-0.88
	ERCC	0.37±0.02*	0.41±0.01	0.47±0.02	0.44±0.02
	Range	0.18-0.52	0.34-0.54	0.30-0.63	0.27-0.70

Data are expressed as mean±SD. IRCC: internal rotation in concentric contraction; ERCC: external rotation in concentric contraction.

^†Statistically significant difference in relation to NA (ANOVA 2 × 2, P<0.05)

^*Statistically significant difference in relation to dominant side (ANOVA 2 × 2, P<0.05)

Table 2.

Relative maximal isokinetic eccentric joint torque for the D and ND upper limbs at 300°/s angular speed for NA (n=12) and H (n=20) groups.

		ND		D
		NA	H	NA	H
300°/s (Nm/kg)
	IREC	0.59±0.02	0.80±0.05†	0.63±0.03	0.84±0.04†
	Range	0.50-0.80	0.46-1.46	0.40-0.77	0.54-1.24
	EREC	0.60±0.02	0.67±0.02	0.65±0.03	0.65±0.02
	Range	0.38-0.77	0.52-0.95	0.41-0.88	0.47-0.86

Data are expressed as mean±SD. IREC: internal rotation in eccentric contraction; EREC: external rotation in eccentric contraction.

^†Statistically significant difference in relation to NA (ANOVA 2 × 2, P<0.05).

No differences between sides were found for any of the variables measured or calculated, demonstrating muscular strength and ratio symmetry.

Table 3 shows values for conventional and functional balance ratios for the D and ND upper limbs at 60 and 300°/s. The conventional balance ratio was significantly lower for H compared to NA at 60º/s angular speed on the D side (29.4%, effect size=0.91, and d=4.47) and the ND side (23.9%, effect size=0.86, and d=3.42) and only significantly lower at 300º/s for H compared to NA on the D side (23.0%, effect size=0.99, and d=17.0). Moreover, functional ratio was significantly lower (17.1%, effect size=0.86, and d=3.44) at 300°/s angular speed on the D side for H compared to NA.

Table 3.

Peak torque conventional ratio (CR) and functional ratio (FR) for the D and ND upper limbs at 60 and 300°/s angular speeds for NA (n=12) and H (n=20) groups.

		ND		D
		NA	H	NA	H
60°/s
	CR	0.96±0.09	0.73±0.03†	1.02±0.09	0.72±0.03†
	Range	0.6-2.0	0.5-1.0	0.7-2.0	0.5-1.1
300°/s
	CR	0.82±0.05	0.73±0.02	0.96±0.04	0.74±0.03†
	Range	0.5-1.1	0.6-1.0	0.7-1.1	0.5-1.0
	FR	1.39±0.10	1.21±0.05	1.34±0.08	1.11±0.05†
	Range	0.9-2.0	0.9-2.0	0.8-1.8	0.6-1.4

Data are expressed as mean±SD. CR: conventional ratio; FR: functional ratio.

^†Statistically significant difference in relation to NA (ANOVA 2 × 2, P<0.05)

Discussion

There are few studies that evaluate isokinetic shoulder strength in elite athletes, particularly in handball players^12,13. Therefore, our purpose was to examine isokinetic shoulder measurements in order to establish shoulder strength values and balance ratios (conventional and functional) that could be employed in devising preventive, training, and rehabilitation strategies for shoulder injuries. In general, the H group was stronger than the NA group for concentric and eccentric strength for internal rotations at 60 and 300°/s angular speeds, even though peak torque values were corrected by body mass. This difference may be a result of daily shoulder training performed by the H group. In other sports, such as rugby, strength values were also higher in athletes than non-athletes, but when peak torque was normalized to body weight, there were no significant differences²².

Previous studies demonstrated that a stronger D limb^19-24 is to be expected in asymmetrical sports and that these differences may result from regular sports training¹². For example, the majority of handball players use one limb to practice most of the powerful throws during the training season. However, elite handball players have been getting bigger over time²⁴, requiring very intense resistance training, and this program is composed of a set of symmetrical exercises. It is possible that this type of intense exercise was able to minimize the asymmetrical effect of specific handball training.

Balance ratios for the H and NA groups, measured at 60 and 300°/s, revealed that the H group presented significantly lower values of conventional and functional ratios than the NA group at both angular speeds. Lower values for conventional and functional ratios had already been demonstrated for overhead athletes, primarily on the D side^1,13,25. Noffal¹ demonstrated a lower ratio in the throwers' dominant limb. The authors have attributed this ratio to a significantly greater concentric internal rotation torque without concomitant eccentric external torque gains. In the same way, other authors also demonstrated a lower shoulder balance ratio for other overhead athletes, such as tennis players²⁶, volleyball players²⁵, and female handball players¹³. On the other hand, lower ratios for overhead athletes are not a consensus in literature. Codine et al.¹² demonstrated that balance ratios for overhead athletes were similar to those observed for non-athletes. Similarly, rugby players also presented no difference in balance ratios when compared to non-athletes²².

The athletes who participated in the present study showed greater internal and external rotator peak torque values than the NA group, however the difference for the internal rotators was greater than the difference for external rotators strength. As previously mentioned, the lower balance ratios in the H group are the result of greater strengthening of the internal rotator muscles compared to the external rotator muscles. Therefore, concentric strength exercises for external rotator muscles are recommended for handball athletes to increase conventional and functional ratios and consequently prevent possible injuries associated with muscular imbalance.

While concentric ratios have been helpful in providing an insight into the evaluation of rehabilitation subjects or athlete strength, they may fall short of reflecting muscle function during specific sporting activities. Thus, we also compared the functional shoulder ratio at 300°/s. Functional shoulder ratios for the D sides were 1.11±0.05 and 1.34±0.08 at 300°/s for the H and NA groups, respectively.

These higher functional ratios for NA compared to H reflect the greater internal rotation concentric strength compared to the external rotation eccentric strength in the H group. Previous authors who evaluated functional shoulder strength ratios at 300°/s for overhead athletes found similar values. Noffal¹ obtained values of 1.17±0.20 at 300°/s for the D upper limb of throwers. In our previous study with female handball athletes, we found a functional shoulder ratio of 1.54±0.41 at 300°/s¹³ for the D limb. Apparently, male handball athletes present lower balance ratios than female athletes. This may be explained by the greater superiority in internal rotator concentric action than the superiority of external rotators in eccentric action in male athletes than in female athletes.

Previous studies that used 90°/s to evaluate muscular functional ratios obtained lower values. Yildiz et al.¹⁹ found a ratio of 1.03±0.80 for the D upper limb of overhead athletes. The functional ratios of baseball players, also assessed at 90°/s, presented a similar value of 1.03±0.80 for the D side²⁷. Lower functional balance ratios assessed at 90°/s may be explained by the fact that concentric maximal peak torque decreases as the angular speed of action increases, but eccentric action remains the same or increases, consequently the ratio of external rotator eccentric action to internal rotator eccentric action increases as angular testing speed increases.

Functional ratios above 1.0 indicate that the eccentric strength of the external rotator muscles was greater than the strength of the concentric internal rotator muscles. This greater strength may be necessary to decelerate the rapid throwing movement of the upper limb^13,28-30. We believe that these reference values for the H and NA groups may be useful in devising physical training or rehabilitation, as previous authors have demonstrated the effectiveness of preventive strengthening programs¹⁴.

Additionally, there are inherent difficulties in study comparisons related to the shoulder rotator muscles, due to differences in test equipment, upper limb position during the isokinetic strength test, and the angular speed at which the isokinetic strength test is performed. In the literature, there are different test positions that can be used for isokinetic strength testing in the shoulder joint^13,18,31-33. The present study chose to test in the supine position with the shoulder at 90° abduction and the elbow flexed to 90° as previously described^13,33,34 to better compare our results. The position selected for this study closely mimicked the functional throw of the shoulder in overhead activities such as handball, better at 20° or 30° of shoulder abduction in the scapular plane.

In conclusion, strength data obtained by the present study revealed that the D shoulder joint in handball players is stronger than in non-athletes, even though peak torque values were corrected by body mass. But given that the internal rotator muscles were much stronger than the external rotators, there was muscular imbalance in the H group, possibly due to the type of sports training performed daily by these athletes. Therefore, strength exercises for the external rotator muscles are recommended to improve balance ratios and consequently minimize the risk factor for injuries associated with muscular imbalance.