Unilateral Compound Training Reduces Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry and Enhances Athletic Performance in Female Handball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07679815 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025-080
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Lower-limb strength asymmetry is common among female handball players and may negatively affect athletic performance while increasing injury risk. This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of a six-week unilateral compound training program on lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic muscle strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio, body composition, and physical performance in competitive female handball players. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving unilateral compound training in addition to regular handball training or a control group continuing regular handball training only. It was hypothesized that unilateral compound training would reduce strength asymmetry and improve neuromuscular performance compared with regular training alone.

Conditions

Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry in Female Handball Players; Athletic Performance

Keywords

Female Handball; Isokinetic Strength; Plyometric Training; Unilateral Training; Strength Asymmetry

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry

  Lower-limb strength asymmetry was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry before and after the intervention. Changes in asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs were compared between the experimental and control groups.

  Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Isokinetic Knee Extensor Strength

  Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

• Isokinetic Knee Flexor Strength

  Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

• Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Ratio

  Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

• 20-m Sprint Performance

  Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

• Change-of-Direction Performance

  Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Experimental

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a six-week unilateral compound training program three times per week in addition to their regular handball training.

Behavioral: Unilateral Compound Training

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants continued their regular handball training without additional unilateral compound training.

Interventions

Unilateral Compound Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the experimental group completed a supervised unilateral compound training program three times per week for six weeks in addition to their regular handball training. The intervention consisted of progressive unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises designed to improve lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic muscle strength, neuromuscular performance, sprint performance, change-of-direction ability, and jump performance.

Experimental

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: The study was limited to participants who self-identified as women because the intervention was designed specifically for competitive female handball players.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female handball players aged 18-25 years.
• Competing in the Turkish Women's 2nd Handball League.
• Regular participation in team training (4 sessions/week) and official matches.
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Current musculoskeletal injury or pain preventing participation in training.
• History of lower-limb surgery within the previous 12 months.
• Neurological, cardiovascular, or other medical conditions affecting exercise participation.
• Failure to complete the intervention or assessment procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Gaziantep: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gaziantep University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Gaziantep, 27310, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The experimental group completed a six-week unilateral compound training program in addition to regular handball training, whereas the control group continued regular handball training only. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 25, 2026
• First Posted: July 1, 2026
• Study Start: November 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: January 10, 2026
• Last Updated: July 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)