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Sat, Nov 1, 2025
Volume 23, Issue 4 (December-In Press 2025)
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2025, 23(4): 0-0 |
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Jasim A M, Aziz G. Efficacy of Swiss Ball Exercises on Motor Control and Defensive Blocking Performance in Handball Players with Hamstring Strain Injury. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2025; 23 (4)
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2547-en.html
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2547-en.html
1- College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad.
2- College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Baghdad.
2- College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Baghdad.
Abstract: (666 Views)
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a Swiss ball rehabilitation program on motor control and defensive blocking performance in handball players with Grade I hamstring strain injuries.
Methods: This is a pre-post single group interventional study. A total of 32 professional and semi-professional handball players from Baghdad Premier League clubs were enrolled, with 21 completing the full 8-week intervention. The rehabilitation program consisted of six Swiss ball exercises performed four times per week with the goal of enhancing hamstring strength, hip joint flexibility, and defensive blocking performance. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes.
Results: There were significant improvements in all the measures of outcome: perceived hamstring strength in relaxed (+1.1 units, p=0.013) and tensed (+2.3 units, p=0.001) state, hip joint range of motion (+9.3°, p=0.004), and defensive wall block performance (+3.5 blocks/15s, p<0.001). The effect sizes ranged from medium to large, and the largest was for defensive blocking (d=2.02).
Discussion: These findings demonstrate that Swiss ball training is effective for enhancing neuromuscular control, functional mobility, and sports performance in handball players with hamstring injury. Short-term follow-up and single-group design are the limitations. Future randomized controlled trials are recommended to compare Swiss ball rehabilitation versus normal treatments and to study long-term consequences.
Methods: This is a pre-post single group interventional study. A total of 32 professional and semi-professional handball players from Baghdad Premier League clubs were enrolled, with 21 completing the full 8-week intervention. The rehabilitation program consisted of six Swiss ball exercises performed four times per week with the goal of enhancing hamstring strength, hip joint flexibility, and defensive blocking performance. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes.
Results: There were significant improvements in all the measures of outcome: perceived hamstring strength in relaxed (+1.1 units, p=0.013) and tensed (+2.3 units, p=0.001) state, hip joint range of motion (+9.3°, p=0.004), and defensive wall block performance (+3.5 blocks/15s, p<0.001). The effect sizes ranged from medium to large, and the largest was for defensive blocking (d=2.02).
Discussion: These findings demonstrate that Swiss ball training is effective for enhancing neuromuscular control, functional mobility, and sports performance in handball players with hamstring injury. Short-term follow-up and single-group design are the limitations. Future randomized controlled trials are recommended to compare Swiss ball rehabilitation versus normal treatments and to study long-term consequences.
Article type: Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Sport rehabilitation
Received: 2025/06/11 | Accepted: 2025/07/21 | Published: 2025/12/9
Received: 2025/06/11 | Accepted: 2025/07/21 | Published: 2025/12/9
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