OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of an injury prevention exercise programme among handball players.

METHODS: This prevention exercise was carried out at the U14 age group (13-14 year old) of the Electric Sports Association in the sports hall of the Orchidea Hungarian-English bilingual primary school in Budapest between January and March 2022. The sample element size was 12 (n ₌12), where sampling was non-randomized. Preventive training was provided 2 times a week for 30 min at the end of their training. Surveys were administered before and after the programme. We used the Flamingo, Y-Balance, Multisegmental Flexion and Extension, Plank, Side Plank, and Back Plank tests. In our study we used mean-square and paired t-test.

RESULTS: For static balance, a significant improvement was shown through reduction in the number of imbalances (p<0.05) (right side: decreased from 13.17 to 11.42, p=0.000; left side: decreased from 13.08 to 11.00, p=0.000). The sagittal plane flexion and extension mobility of the spine improved significantly as a result of the exercise programme (flexion by 3.33 cm on average) (decreased from 9.33 cm to 6.00 cm, p=0.000), (extension increased from 25.42 cm to 28.25 cm, p=0.000). For upper limb joint stability, both limbs showed significant improvement in each direction (medial, supero-lateral, infero-lateral) (p<0.005). For lower limb joint stability, there was a significant improvement (p<0.05) in all directions (anterior, infero-lateral), except for the right and left lower limbs in the infero-medial direction, but here an improvement on average was observed as well.

CONCLUSIONS: The exercise programme we used is suitable for improving core muscular strength, upper and lower joint stability, dynamic balance and balancing skills, which may reduce the risk of possible injuries.