Prevalence and risk factors in shoulder injuries in male and female handball players. Systematic review

Introduction: The shoulder is one of the most affected structures, in terms of injuries, in handball. Objective: To describe the typology, prevalence and risk factors of shoulder injuries in handball. Method: A systematic search of the last five years was carried out in six databases (Cinahl, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscus, PubMed), 15 articles were selected, of which 12 were observational studies and three were randomized clinical trials. Results: There is a higher prevalence on the dominant side. The most salient risk factors are: female sex, medial rotation deficit, weakness of the rotator muscles, dyskinesia, pain or instability in the trunk or lower limbs, increased sports load and even the playing position on the field. In addition, with age there is also a higher prevalence. Regarding prevention protocols, the results are disparate, that is, without significant results or with an increase in strength and a decrease in the prevalence of shoulder problems. Conclusions: Taking into account the risk factors, the higher prevalence in the dominant shoulder and the increase with age, it seems necessary to start with preventive protocols in adolescence. For this, more studies must be carried out with different protocols according to the characteristics of the player.