Aslı ÖREN, Gökçenaz ARPAÇAY, Enis GÜRSEL, Server Erdoğmuş GÜLCAN
Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine - 2026;17(10):1083-1087
Aim: Handball is a high-intensity, multidirectional sport requiring postural control, agility, and lower-limb strength for performance and injury prevention. Relationships among static postural control, agility, and lower-limb strength remain unclear. This pilot study examined static postural control, dynamic stabilization, and agility in female handball athletes. Methods: Twelve licensed players (age 26.6 +/- 3.4 years; height 173.9 +/- 6.1 cm; weight 69.6 +/- 7.6 kg; BMI 23.0 +/- 1.5 kg/m²) participated. Static postural control was assessed via single-leg stance on a VALD ForceDecks dual force plate, measuring center of pressure (COP) parameters: total excursion, mean velocity, and medio-lateral (ML) and antero-posterior (AP) sway. Dynamic stabilization was evaluated using single-leg landings from a 30 cm box, with peak vertical ground reaction force and time to stabilization recorded. Agility was measured using the Pro-Agility (5 10-5) test with infrared timing gates. Unilateral tests distinguished the jump limb from the contralateral limb. Results: No significant correlations were found between static COP, dynamic stabilization, and agility ( P > .05). Significant limb differences were observed in static balance: the jump limb showed lower ML sway ( P = .029) and mean COP velocity ( P = .017) with large effect sizes (r > 0.50). A moderate positive correlation was observed between peak landing force and AP sway on the contralateral limb ( r = 0.625, P = .03). Dynamic parameters did not differ between limbs. Conclusion: Although static postural control did not predict dynamic stabilization or agility, unilateral asymmetries highlighted the jump limb's superior stability, while the contralateral limb required greater conscious force production. These results emphasize the use of eccentric and neuromuscular exercises to address limb deficits in female handball players.
