Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the isokinetic upper extremity (shoulder) strength of elite male handball players on their dominant (Ds) and non-dominant (Nds) sides and to determine its relationship with peak torque angle (PTangle) values. Thirty male volunteers who actively played handball (age: 22.40 ± 2.06 years; height: 185.50 ± 5.01 cm; body weight: 83.52 ± 9.29 kg; BMI: 24.21 ± 1.89 kg/m²) participated in the study. The study had a cross-sectional design. To determine participants' upper extremity isokinetic strength, concentric/concentric shoulder internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) tests were performed at angular velocities of 60 and 180°/sec, and participants' peak torque (PT) and PTangle values were recorded. Participants' Ds and Nds shoulder isokinetic strength values in the IR and ER phases were significantly different at all angular velocities (p < 0.05); however, unilateral and bilateral strength asymmetry ratios were within the normal range. Additionally, no significant correlation was found between PT and PTangle values (p > 0.05). Strength adaptations were observed in the dominant shoulder due to repetitive and high-torque movements in handball. Furthermore, the angular parameters involved in maximum torque production may provide specific information about the neuromuscular dynamics of athletes.

Key words: Handball, isokinetic strength, shoulder, peak torque angle