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NCT Number: NCT07679815

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry in Female Handball Players Athletic Performance

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gaziantep University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Gaziantep, 27310, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

emale handball requires repeated sprinting, jumping, rapid changes of direction, and unilateral movements that may contribute to the development of lower-limb strength asymmetries. Such asymmetries have been associated with impaired athletic performance and an increased risk of injury. Although unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises have shown beneficial effects individually, evidence regarding the effectiveness of unilateral compound training in female handball players remains limited.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a six-week unilateral compound training program on lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios, body composition, sprint performance, change-of-direction ability, countermovement jump performance, and single-leg jump performance in competitive female handball players.

Thirty competitive female handball players were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group completed unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises three times per week for six weeks in addition to regular handball training, whereas the control group continued regular handball training only. Outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized laboratory procedures. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of unilateral compound training for reducing lower-limb asymmetry and improving sport-specific performance in female handball athletes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Isokinetic Knee Extensor Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    Peak torque of the knee extensor muscles measured using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after the intervention.

  2. Isokinetic Knee Flexor Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    Peak torque of the knee flexor muscles measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.

  3. Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    Hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio calculated from isokinetic knee muscle strength measurements.

  4. 20-m Sprint Performance

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    Sprint time measured over 20 meters.

  5. Change-of-Direction Performance

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    Change-of-direction performance assessed using the agility test employed in the study protocol.

  6. Countermovement Jump Height

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week intervention

    Vertical jump height assessed using the countermovement jump test.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Gaziantep

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of a Six-Week Unilateral Compound Training Program on Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry and Athletic Performance in Competitive Female Handball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: UCT-HB

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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