The relationship between isokinetic and field tests used in determining lower and upper extremity strenght in elite handball players

Introduction and Aim: The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between isokinetic and field tests used to determine upper and lower extremity strength in elite handball players. Materials and Methods: The subject group of the study consists of 22 elite male handball players between the ages of 18-29. Knee and shoulder isokinetic strength test at different angular velocities (60°/sec 180°/sec 240°/sec) in dominant (NDT) and non-dominant (DT) sides, nine different Functional Performance Tests (FPT) (Single Hop for Distance [SH], Triple Hop for Distance [TH], Crossover, Triple Hop for Distance [CH], Medial Side Triple Hop for Distance [MSTH], Medial Rotation Hop for Distance [MRH], Modified Push-Up [MPU], Throwing Medicine Ball [TMB], Bent Arm Hanging [BAH], Closed Kinetic Chain Mobilization [CKCM]), Y Balance Test and CSMI-TecnoBody PK-252 Single-Double Leg Static and Dynamic Balance Test were applied. Independent Samples T-Test and One Way ANOVA test were used for comparison analyses. Pearson Correlation test, upper and lower FPTs, and knee (Ex-Flx) and shoulder (IR-ER) isokinetic strenght were examined by Linear Regression Analysis to determine the relationships between variables. Results: In the isokinetic knee test, there was no statistically significant differences in DT and NDT sides at 60°/sec 180°/sec and 240°/sec angular velocities (p>0.05), in the isokinetic shoulder test, there were statistically significant differences in the DT and NDT sides at 60°/sec 180°/sec and 240°/sec angular velocities (P<0.05),there was no significant difference between limb symmetry indexes of isokinetic tests and FPT's (p>0.05) and in the regression analysis performed, it was determined that the TMB could underestimate the shoulder forces on the DT and NDT sides at all angular velocities (P<0.05). Conclusion: The isokinetic knee strengths was similar on the DT and NDT sides, DT side was stronger at all angular velocities in isokinetic shoulder strenghts, the limb symmetry indexes in isokinetic tests, FPT's and Y balance test were similar, it has been determined that the predictability reliability of isokinetic test results with FPTs was low.