ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of upper extremity
proprioception on free throw accuracy, speed and reaction speed in handball
players. Fifteen professional male handball players were selected through random
sampling. Proprioception was assessed with a goniometer, reaction speed with a
light trainer system, and free throw speed with a sport radar. Linear regression
analysis was used to determine the effect levels between variables. Our study
determined that free throw speed, free throw accuracy, and reaction speed
performances improved as proprioceptive sensory acuity increased during shoulder
flexion (R
2=between 0.280 and 0.659; p<0.05) and
extension (R
2=between 0.270 and 0.590; p<0.05),
shoulder external rotation (R
2=between 0.461 and 0.873;
p<0.01), elbow flexion (R
2=between 0.477 and
0.840; p<0.01) and extension (R
2=between 0.275 and
0.574; p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that shoulder internal
rotation proprioceptive sensory acuity had a positive effect on free throw
accuracy and reaction speed performances (R
2=between 0.338 and
0.415; p<0.05) except for free throw speed (p>0.05). We
conclude that higher proprioceptive acuity enhances motor control of joints,
contributing to enhanced athletic performance. Considering the decisive role of
technical skills in score production, it is predicted that improving
proprioceptive sense may improve the score performance of athletes by improving
technical skills.
Keywords
free throw accuracy - free throw speed - handball - joint position sense - motor control - reaction speed
