Motor-cognitive training improves performance in a handball-specific defense test.

BACKGROUND: Motor-cognitive training (MCT) represents a promising approach to support sport-specific performance; however, its effects in handball, remain insufficiently explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week MCT program on postural stability, motor-cognitive task performance, cognitive functions, and sport-specific defensive reactive agility performance in handball. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), forty highly trained male and female handball players were randomly allocated to either the experimental group (EG; n = 20) or the control group (CG; n = 20). The intervention lasted six weeks, during which the EG replaced part of its regular handball training with two weekly 40-min motor-cognitive training sessions, whereas the CG continued its regular handball training. Prior to and after the training motor, cognitive, motor-cognitive and sport-specific performance were assessed using the Y-Balance Test, reactive agility, motor-cognitive dual-tasking, executive function and a modified handball-specific Y-Agility test. Training effects were compared between groups using ANCOVA. RESULTS: Following training, the MCT group outperformed the control group in postural stability (p ≤ 0.041, ηp2 ≥ 0.10), RA (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.27), motor-cognitive dual-tasking (p = 0.024, ηp2 = 0.13), executive function (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.29) and in the handball-specific test (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.51). CONCLUSION: A 6-week MCT program integrated into regular handball training benefits performance across motor, cognitive and motor-cognitive domains and transfers to on-court and handball-specific defensive reactive agility in highly trained handball players. MCT provides a valuable complement to current training approaches.