Correlation between muscular injuries and stress in handball athletes in wheelchair

Abstract

Objective: To verify the correlation between muscle microlesion and the level of psychological stress among wheelchair handball athletes (WHA). Methodology: Micro-lesions were identified by creatine kinase protein (CK) concentrations in blood samples from 10 male athletes, which was collected 10 minutes before and after the end of the game. The level of stress was derived from the RESTQ-sport questionnaire applied 30 minutes before the game. Results and discussion: The athletes did not show significant increases in CK levels (p=0.766). Observing the level of stress and recovery, high scores (>4.0) are noted in the scales related to potentially tranquilizing events. Regarding the scales related to stressful events, there were moderate scores at subscales of Conflict/Pressure (3.5 ± 0.6) and Injuries (3.2 ± 1.3). The correlation between CK and stress and recovery levels in pre and post-game moments showed a moderate correlation in fatigue (r = -0.46; r = -0.61), injury (r = -0.47; r = -0.55), disturbances at intervals (r = -0.47; r = -, 069) and being in shape (r = 0.44; r = 0.41). Conclusion: The results show that there was no significant increase in CK levels and moderate correlation with some stress and recovery scales among wheelchair athletes.