Background: The injury profile of each playing position in handball is a key factor in being able to improve the injury risk management process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to longitudinally analyze the differences in professional handball players` injury profile according to their playing position (i.e., goalkeeper, back, wing and line). Hypothesis: Injury incidence and burden would be higher in back players compared to the other playing positions, while ligament and knee would be the most common injury type and location. Study Design: prospective cohort design Level of evidence: Level 4 Methods: Sixty-eight male handball players belonging to the same professional team participated in this study over four consecutive seasons. Injury incidence and injury burden were recorded as well as the severity, type and location following the International Olympic Committee consensus statement. Results: Although non-significant differences in injury incidence were found according to playing position (rate ratios [RR] from 0.43 to 2.47; p > 0.05), backs reported the highest burden (60.65 absence days/1000 h; RR from 0.12 to 7.75; p < 0.05), with wings showing a greater burden (54.29 absence days/1000 h; RR from 0.09 to 4.91; p < 0.05) in comparison with goalkeepers (12.19 absence days/1000 h) and lines (13.10 absence days/1000 h). Muscle/tendon injuries and sprains presented higher incidence and burden than other type of injuries, and a greater incidence and burden was reported for knee injuries in all playing positions. Conclusions: The highest injury incidence and injury burden is in back players in professional handball. Clinical relevance: This study provides comprehensive information on the injury profile of professional handball players, which can be useful for strength and conditioning coaches when developing specific injury risk management programs.
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