Association between training load, intensity, and overuse problems during pre-season in Icelandic male handball

Elis Thor Rafnsson, Grethe Myklebust, Örnólfur Valdimarsson, Árni Árnason

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this prospective cohort study, the aim was to examine any association between pre-season training load and overuse problems (OP) in low back, knee, and shoulder in Icelandic elite male handball players. A total of 139 players participated, answering the OSTRC overuse questionnaire weekly during a 6-week period. The training volume and intensity were registered by the coaches. The average weekly OP prevalence for shoulder was 40% (95% CI 36% to 44%), for knee 33% (95% CI 28% to 38%), and for low back 31% (95% CI 26% to 36%). Substantial overuse problems (SOP) were 14% (95% CI 11% to 17%) for shoulder, 11% (95% CI 10% to 12%) for knee, and 6% (95% CI 4% to 8%) for low back. The knee was most susceptible for OP with weekly number of training and training hours associated with OP and SOP. For individual training factors, running (OP; OR = 1.30, SOP; OR = 1.59), and shooting practice (OP; OR = 1.82, SOP; OR = 3.22) had the highest associations for knee problems. Jumping was associated with OP in low back (OR = 4.55). Handball players are most susceptible for OP in knees during their pre-season. Every week, 30% participated with (SOP), affecting their performance and participation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)837-844
Number of pages8
JournalTranslational Sports Medicine
Volume4
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: Special thanks to players and coaches of the 10 teams that participated and to the Icelandic Handball Federation for their backup. Thanks to Professor Thorarinn Sveinsson for his assistance regarding statistics. Special thanks to The Icelandic Sports Fund, Icelandic Physiotherapists Association, Icelandic Sports and Olympic Association, and The University of Iceland Research Fund for funding the project. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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