Effect of Eight Weeks of the Powerball® Mediated Resistance Training on Strength, Proprioception, and Upper Extremity Performance in Volleyball Players with Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbows injury is one of the most common types of athletic upper extremity overuse injury which is accompanied by remarkable pain and functionality deficit in the injured limb. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of Powerball mediated resistance training on the wrist extensor muscle strength, wrist proprioception, grip strength, and upper extremity performance in volleyball players with tennis elbow. For the current quasi-experimental study, 30 volleyball players with tennis elbow were selected and randomly divided into two (control and experimental) groups. To measure wrist extensor muscle strength, grip strength, and performance before and after implementation of the intervention programs (eight weeks of resistance training using Powerball), the isokinetic dynamometer, hand held dynamometer, and Y balance tests were used, respectively. The results of the present study showed that the Powerball exercises have significant effects on wrist extension strength (P=0.009), wrist proprioception (P=0.011), grip strength (P=0.001), and upper extremity performance (P=0.001). Due to the significant effect of Powerball mediated exercises on wrist extension strength, wrist proprioception, grip, and performance of upper extremity, using this exercise program is recommended in the process of rehabilitation in patients with tennis elbow who have deficiency in the mentioned variables.