Effect of recreational handball on sleep, well-being and psychological characteristics in untrained males

Aim of present study was to examine the effects of small sided recreational handball on depression, self-esteem, eating disorder, motivation to exercise, sleep and general well-being in untrained males. We randomized 24 students into two groups: intervention group (n=14) and control group (n=10). Participants in intervention group play small sided handball for 12 weeks. Control group followed their normal routine. Following questionnaires were used; PHQ-9 (depression); Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep); EDE-Q (eating disorders); WHO-5 (well-being); BREQ-2 (motivational). Statistical analysis was done using T test to check group differences. Results showed significant difference in scores of depressions (t(22) = 3.882, P = 0.001), selfesteem (t(22) = 2.118, P = 0.046) and eating disorders (t(22) = 4.457, P = 0.000). We did not find any significant difference in amotivation (t(22) = 1.051, P = 0.304), external regulation (t(22) = 0.675, P = 0.507), introjected regulation (t(22) = 0.653, P = 0.521), identified regulation (t(22) = 1.077, P = 0.293) and intrinsic regulation (t(22) = .485, P = 0.633). There was improvement in sleep quality (t(22) = 3.776, P = 0.001) and general well-being of participants (t(22) = 2.559, P = 0.018) post intervention. It was concluded that small sided recreational handball was effective in reducing symptoms of depression. Contrary to popular belief we could not find any improvement in motivation to exercise, but there was notable improvement in self-esteem of participants. It was interesting to see improvement in both general well-being and sleep quality post intervention.