Author(s): PAPAVASILEIOU, A., XENOFONDOS, A.2, LOLA, A.1, TSALIKOPOULOU, A.2, MELETAKOS, P.3, PATIKAS, D.1, BASSA, E.1, Institution: ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI, Country: GREECE, Abstract-ID: 2663

INTRODUCTION:
Handball performance involves repeated jump–land–re-jump actions under time constraints, making drop jump (DJ) and landing testing relevant indicators of reactive performance. Efficient execution of these tasks requires rapid force production during ground contact and effective stabilization immediately after landing. Previous research in young female handball players has identified biomechanical deficits in landing and foot contact timing that reflect suboptimal neuromuscular control (1). Since neuromuscular control relies on efficient integration of somatosensory inputs, sensory processing capacity during postural control may contribute to these reactive and stabilization performance outcomes (2). The purpose of the study was to examine the association between sensory integration processes during postural control and distinct variables of landing and DJ performance in adolescent handball players.
METHODS:
16 female adolescent handball players (age:12.99±1.10 yrs; body mass:51.39±12.46 kg; height:157.56±5.95 cm; maturity offset:1.05±0.84 yrs; training age:3.22±0.93 yrs) participated in this study. Postural control was assessed using center of pressure (CoP) velocity during quiet stance under four sensory conditions: eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), eyes open on foam (EOF), and eyes closed on foam (ECF). DJ contact time, and time to stabilization (TTS) during landing from 20cm were assessed (force platform: Bertec Type 4060, Bertec Corporation, Columbus, OH, USA, 1000 Hz). Pearson correlations were calculated between CoP velocity and DJ contact time, and TTS, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
DJ contact time showed moderate negative correlations with CoP velocity under stable surface conditions (EO: r = −0.537; EC: r = −0.538, p<0.05), whereas no statistically significant associations were observed under foam conditions. In contrast, TTS demonstrated moderate positive correlations with CoP velocity under proprioception-challenged conditions (EOF: r = 0.539; ECF: r = 0.586, p<0.05), whereas associations under stable conditions were not significant.
CONCLUSION:
These findings indicate that sensory integration capacity is differentially associated with landing and DJ performance in female adolescent handball players. Postural control under stable conditions (with or without vision) primarily relates to reactive contact efficiency, underscoring the role of stability in executing dynamic tasks such as the DJ. In contrast, stability under proprioceptive-challenged conditions (e.g., foam) is more strongly associated with post-landing stabilization, suggesting potential training benefits of unstable-surface exercises. Together, these results highlight the significance of sensory-specific postural control in stretch–shortening cycle tasks and suggest that targeted sensory integration training may enhance both jump and landing performance during adolescence.
REFERENCES:
1.Cadens et al., Biology (2023)
2.Hrysomallis et al., Sports Med (2011)