Neuromuscular profile of Handball players during a short-term condensed competition in Brazil

RBCDH DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2015v17n4p389 original article Neuromuscular profile of Handball players during a short-term condensed competition in Brazil Perfil neuromuscular de atletas de handebol durante curta competição no Brasil Leonardo Coelho Rabello Lima1 Inaian Pignatti Teixeira 2 Priscila Missaki Nakamura 2,3 Marina Yumi Hayakawa 2 Claudio Oliveira Assumpção1,4 Rafael Pombo Menzes5 Abstract – The aim of this study was to assess the neuromuscular profile of handball (TH) players during a short-term condensed competition. Nine TH athletes (age: 23 ± 3 years; height: 176.2 ± 10.5 cm; mass: 75.3 ± 8.6 kg) played 5 handball matches in 5 consecutive days and had exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) markers such as soreness (SOR), thigh circumference (CIR), knee range of motion (ROM) and countermovement jump height (CMJ) collected before the first match and at the end of each day of competition. Changes over time in these markers were analyzed. Significant changes were found for all EIMD markers assessed. CMJ significantly decreased at the fourth day of competition when compared to baseline (0.41 ± 0.03 m vs. 0.45 ± 0.02 m). ROM decreased on the first day of competition and remained stable until the last day of competition (baseline: 126.5 ± 7.2º; 1st day: 115.8 ± 5.9º; 2nd day: 115 ± 7º; 3rd day: 113.9 ± 8.8º; 4th day: 114.4 ± 8.6º). SOR and CIR were increased at the second day of competition and remained altered thereafter. It was concluded that the characteristics of short-term condensed competition have led TH athletes to significant EIMD. If not avoided, EIMD might lead to reductions in performance in the most important (final) matches. Key words: Fatigue; Neuromuscular monitoring; Sports; Wounds and Injuries. Resumo – O objetivo do presente estudo foi medir o perfil neuromuscular de jogadores de handebol durante uma competição em formato de jogos. Nove jogadores de handebol (idade: 23 ± 3 anos; estatura: 176,2 ± 10,5 cm; massa: 75,3 ± 8,6 kg) jogaram cinco partidas da modalidade em cinco dias consecutivos e tiveram marcadores de DM [como percepção subjetiva de dor (PSD), circunferência da coxa (CIR), amplitude de movimento do joelho (ADM) e altura de salto com contra-movimento (AS)] coletados antes da primeira partida e ao final de cada dia de competição. Mudanças ao longo do tempo nesses marcadores foram analisadas. Alterações significantes foram encontradas para todos os marcadores de DM coletados. A AS diminuiu significantemente durante o quarto dia de competição, quando comparado ao valor basal (0,41 ± 0,03 m vs. 0,45 ± 0,02 m). A ADM diminuiu após o primeiro dia de competição e permaneceu comprometida até o último dia (basal: 126,5 ± 7,2º; 1o dia: 115,8 ± 5,9º; 2o dia: 115 ± 7º; 3o dia: 113,9 ± 8,8º; 4o dia: 114,4 ± 8,6º). A PSD e a CIR apresentaram aumento durante o segundo dia de competição e permaneceram alteradas até o final da mesma. Concluímos que a característica condensada das competições de handebol no Brasil leva a um quadro de DM significante. Se não evitado, o DM pode levar a comprometimentos no desempenho nas partidas mais importantes da competição (finais). Palavras-chave: Esportes; Fadiga; Ferimentos e Lesões; Monitoração neuromuscular. 1 São Paulo State University. Laboratory of Human Performance. Rio Claro, SP. Brazil. 2 São Paulo State University. Physical Activity, Sport and Health Center. Rio Claro, SP. Brazil. 3 Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology. Muzambinho, MG. Brazil. 4 Federal University of Ceará. Physical Education and Sports Institute. Fortaleza, CE. Brazil. 5 University of São Paulo. School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto. Ribeirão Preto, SP. Brazil. Received: 06 November 2014 Accepted: 24 April 2015 CC BY Licence Creative Commom Neuromuscular profile of handball players Lima et al. INTRODUCTION Handball (TH) is a collective sport based on characteristics like court invasion, opposition between opponent players and collaboration between players of the same team, which are determinant to its unpredictable and complex scenario1. During matches, players perform different technical or strategic-tactical elements to score a goal (in the offensive phase) or avoid it from the opponent team (in the defensive phase). Using spatial analysis, Bompa2 stated that the oxidative system is responsible for 50% of the energy production during TH matches, with the other 50% being divided between ATP-CP system (20%) and anaerobic glycolysis (30%). In a more detailed investigation, Póvoas et al.3 identified, also through spatial analysis, that TH players cover an average of 4.3 km during matches. According to the authors, athletes spend 80% of the total match time walking or standing still, while only 0.5% of the match time is dedicated to sprinting. The average heart rate obtained during matches was 139 bpm (72% of the maximal heart rate). These data support the knowledge that the oxidative metabolism is very important for TH players, aiding in optimal recovery in intervals between maximal efforts like sprints, jumps and throws. However, the two aforementioned studies described the efforts of TH players based on spatial analysis during matches, ignoring that, even while athletes are stationary, they usually perform maximal or nearmaximal strength in struggles for space with opponents and/or marking and blocking. Therefore, although ignored by spatial analysis, explosive actions are of paramount for performance in TH. Considering the high number of high-intensity motor actions and the vigorous energetic demands of TH, it is natural to expect the occurrence of EIMD after matches. EIMD is characterized as the disorganization of basic muscular units (sarcomeres) after performing high-intensity, eccentric-based exercises4. TH not only involves high-intensity efforts, known to induce EIMD, but it also requires players to perform considerable numbers of eccentric contraction, mostly with knee extensors, in actions such as sprints, landings (after jumps) and changing direction. The main symptoms assessed in order to identify and quantify EIMD are strength loss, compromised range of motion (ROM) and efficiency, leakage of intracellular proteins such as creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (Mb) to the blood stream, muscle swelling, and manifestation of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)5-9. There is a gap of knowledge in literature about EIMD induced by TH matches. A study conducted by Michalsik, Aagaard & Madsen10 investigated, through spatial analyses, fatigue manifestation during TH matches. Significant decreases in the number of potent actions were identified at the end of TH matches, which could indicate muscular fatigue, compromising optimal performance. However, EIMD differs from fatigue, since it occurs when the muscle tissue is disrupted, while fatigue is often related to energetic substract depletion and/or central factors that lead to altered motor 390 unit recruitment11. The (...truncated)