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Shoulder injuries prevention programmes in handball: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Jules Yonneau1, Marie-Martine Lefèvre-Colau2, Maxence Compagnat1
1Médecine Physique et Réadaptation, CHU Limoges, Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
|October 2, 2025
Summary
Prevention programs do not significantly reduce shoulder injuries in handball players. More standardized research is needed to determine effective strategies for injury prevention in this sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Handball is a popular team sport associated with a high risk of shoulder injuries.
- Existing literature suggests a need to evaluate the efficacy of specific prevention programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of prevention programs in reducing shoulder injury incidence among handball players.
- To assess the impact of various exercise-based interventions on shoulder health in athletes.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was conducted using Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases.
- Studies included adult and youth handball players with prevention programs compared to usual warm-up protocols.
- Five studies involving 1872 players met the inclusion criteria.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis of three studies (n=747) found no significant difference in shoulder injury incidence between prevention programs and usual warm-up.
- Prevention programs incorporated muscle strengthening, range of motion, scapular, trunk, and neuromuscular exercises.
- The overall odds ratio was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.45 to 1.17).
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the effectiveness of the reviewed prevention programs for handball-related shoulder injuries.
- Further research with standardized protocols is essential to develop effective injury prevention strategies.
- The findings highlight the need for improved methodologies in sports injury research.
