Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
02:43
Importance of Jumping Ability in Handball Throwing Speed and Accuracy
Published on: April 4, 2025
The Effect of Fatigue on Throwing Performance in Handball Players: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Stelios Hadjisavvas1, Irene-Chrysovalanto Themistocleous1, Michalis A Efstathiou1
1Physiotherapy Program, Department of Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2414, Cyprus.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Acute fatigue in handball slightly reduces throwing velocity, particularly during jump shots. However, its impact on throwing accuracy is unclear due to inconsistent study results and high variability.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Acute fatigue is common in handball, potentially affecting throwing performance.
- Previous research on fatigue's impact on handball throwing is inconsistent.
- This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes fatigue effects on throwing velocity and accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the acute effects of fatigue on throwing velocity in handball.
- To examine the acute effects of fatigue on throwing accuracy in handball.
- To synthesize existing research through systematic review and meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, and citation tracking.
- Included studies on handball players undergoing acute fatigue protocols with throwing performance outcomes.
- Conducted random-effects meta-analyses using standardized mean differences (Hedges' g).
Main Results:
- Fatigue showed a small-to-moderate tendency to reduce throwing velocity (g = -0.31).
- Impairments in velocity were more consistent in jump-shot tasks and with localized upper-limb fatigue.
- Throwing accuracy results were highly heterogeneous (I² = 95.8%), preventing robust conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Acute fatigue tends to slightly decrease throwing velocity in handball players.
- No reliable conclusions can be drawn regarding fatigue's effect on throwing accuracy due to extreme heterogeneity.
- Accuracy findings require cautious interpretation due to varied outcome measures across studies.
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