Investigation of the Relationship Between Upper Extremity Neuromuscular Control and Grip Strength with Shooting Accuracy in Elite Handball Players

Abstract

In sports such as handball, where the overhead throw is commonly used, athletes must be physically fit to fulfill the requirements of the throw. This fitness includes neuromuscular control, muscle strength, power, flexibility, balance, and agility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between upper extremity neuromuscular control and grip strength with shooting accuracy in elite handball players. The study was conducted with the participation of 26 male handball players with an average age of 20.23 ± 2.47 years, average body weight of 72.34 ± 8.01 kg, average height of 180.5 ± 5.90 cm, average playing experience of 8.65 ± 2.92 years, and average BMI of 22.1 ± 2.13 kg/m-2. Data collection tools contained a “Personal Information Form,” a “Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST),” a “Shooting Accuracy Test,” and a “Grip Strength Test.” Pearson Correlation Test analyzed the study data from descriptive statistics in the SPSS package program. In all analyses, p<.05 was considered statistically significant. According to the study’s results, no significant correlation was found between hand grip strength, upper extremity neuromuscular control, and strength with shooting accuracy in handball. A high positive correlation was found between dominant hand strength and non-dominant hand strength. As a result, it was determined that shooting performance is not only related to strength but also closely related to the player's technical skills.