Basketball is an impact, coordination-opposition sport with continuous contact among players and it is considered a sport of medium-high injury incidence. Players are force to have a physical condition appropriate to their practice and the demand to which they must respond due to the intensity of the efforts this sport requires. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to establish an evaluation protocol that allows the detection of functional deficiencies, to guide and conduct in a specific and early way every moment of players' health and growth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and detect federated youth basketball players' (U12 - U17) neuromuscular deficiencies in mobility, stability and landing technique in static and dynamic situations to simulate all the most important actions of basketball demands.
It is intended that the specific detection and individualized approach to neuromuscular deficiencies will decrease the prevalence of injuries and accidents and therefore, the performance of training basketball players will be improved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and detect federated youth basketball players' (under 12 years until under 17 years) neuromuscular deficits in mobility, stability and landing technique in static and dynamic situations similar to simulate the most important actions of basketball demands. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to May 2019. A total of 778 basketball players were selected for the present study. In order to evaluate this specific tests and trials will be carried out on different teams from various clubs in the categories from under 12 years (U12) to under 17 (U17), both male and female. The evaluations will consist of a static physical measures and a dynamic one. These will be conducted throughout the season. Inclusion criteria were: age \> 12 years and \<18 years at testing, and to be actively competing during the study. Subjects were excluded if they had suffered any injury in lower limbs before the screening; presented any injury (overuse or acute) at the time of testing or if they suffered any oncological, psychological and/or psychiatric illnesses, or if they did not attend on the day of the assessment. The main outcomes were ankle joint dorsiflexion was analyzed with Weight-bearing Dorsiflexion Test; monopodial ankle stability was analyzed with Single Leg Balance Test. Dynamic lower extremity valgus was analyzed with Single Leg Squat Test, Modified Tuck Jump Test, Single Leg Squat Test and Hurdle Step Test were used to evaluate also Lumbopelvic stability and dynamic postural control. Neuromuscular deficits during continuous tuck jumps, landing technique flaws and Plyometric Technique were analyzed with Modified Tuck Jump Test. All these tests are scientifically validated for this purpose. All players were familiar with the procedures of all test before. Testing was performed in the same day, in the same order, at the same time of the day (18:00-20:00).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
575
To establish a specific evaluation protocol for youth basketball players.
Federación Catalana de Baloncesto
Barcelona, Spain
Ankle joint dorsiflexion
Weight-bearing dorsiflexion test. Ankle dorsiflexion was evaluated through the LegMotion system (LegMotion, your Motion®, Albacete, Spain). Each player started with their hands on their hips, and put the assigned foot on the middle of the longitudinal line just behind the transversal line on the platform. The alternate foot was positioned off the platform with toes at the edge of the platform. Each trial consisted of flexing the ankle as much as possible without raising the heel of the assessed ankle trying to touch a marker, situated just behind the patella, with their knee. The distance achieved was recorded in centimeters. Three trials were allowed with each ankle (i.e., left and right) with 10 seconds of passive recovery between trials. The third value in each ankle was used in subsequent analysis of weight-bearing dorsiflexion.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Ankle stability
Single Leg Balance Test. It was considered stable if the foot remained in neutral position during movement. However, if excessive pronation of the foot was evident during movement or external rotation of the leg/foot it was scored as unstable.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Dynamic lower extremity valgus
Single Leg Squat Test. An aligned knee-ankle position was considered when the patella was aligned with the second toe. Five consecutive attempts were performed with each limb, and the correct alignment between the knee and the second toe in loading was assessed to analyze an excess of knee valgus.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Lumbopelvic stability
Single Leg Squat Test. It was considered stable if there was minimal movement in all three planes and the sacroiliac joints were aligned. On the other hand, it was considered unstable if the sacroiliac joints were not aligned in the frontal plane or if there was evidence of anteroposterior tilt or rotation in the sagittal plane as well as anterior trunk flexion or increased lumbar lordosis.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Dynamic postural control
Hurdle Step Test. For this purpose, the deviation of the trunk with respect to the center of gravity was observed. A smaller displacement or deviation implied a better postural stability.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Neuromuscular deficits during continuous tuck jumps
Modified Tuck Jump Test. Lower extremity valgus at landing, Thighs do not reach parallel (peak of jump), Thighs not equal side-to-side during flight
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Landing technique flaws
Modified Tuck Jump Test. Foot placement not shoulder width apart, Foot placement not parallel (front to back), Foot contact timing not equal (Asymmetrical landing), Excessive landing contact noise.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Plyometric Technique
Modified Tuck Jump Test. Pause between jumps, Technique declines prior 10 seconds, Does not land in same foot print (Consistent point of landing)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Age
Years
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Age categories
Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 or Under 17
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Body Mass Index (BMI)
kg/m2
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Generalized hipermobility
The presence of hypermobile confirmed by Beighton's criteria. Considering hypermobile as those who obtained a score of \> 7 points out of a total of 9 points
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Gender
Female or male
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Weight
Kilograms
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Height
Centimeters
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Wingspan
Centimeters
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Lower limb dominance
Dominant leg / non dominant leg
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
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