The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute fatigue on neuromuscular control and performance parameters in professional adolescent basketball players and to determine the relationship between fatigue level and neuromuscular control variables. As a secondary aim, the study seeks to examine whether these effects differ according to sex. The research hypotheses are as follows. The null hypothesis (H1-0) states that acute fatigue has no significant effect on neuromuscular control parameters in adolescent basketball players, including balance performance, landing mechanics, ground contact time, and asymmetry ratios. The alternative hypothesis (H1-1) proposes that acute fatigue has a significant effect on these neuromuscular control parameters. The second null hypothesis (H2-0) states that the effects of acute fatigue on neuromuscular control parameters do not differ according to sex. The alternative hypothesis (H2-1) suggests that the effects of acute fatigue on neuromuscular control parameters differ according to sex.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
The athletes' training session will consist of a 30-minute general and sport-specific warm-up period followed by a 90-minute basketball-specific ball training session. These training sessions will be conducted in accordance with the club's standard training program and will include technical and tactical drills, game-based exercises, movements involving changes of direction, jump-landing activities, and short-duration sprint efforts.
Biruni University
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGDynamic Balance
The Y-Balance Test (YBT) will be used to assess lower extremity dynamic balance, neuromuscular control, and functional stability. Participants balance on one leg while reaching as far as possible in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. A modified version of the YBT will be used due to the cost of the original platform, which has been shown to be reliable. Reach distances will be recorded in centimeters, normalized to lower extremity length, and a composite score (%) calculated: Composite Score (%) = \[(Anterior + Posteromedial + Posterolateral) / (3 × lower extremity length)\] × 100 Higher scores indicate better dynamic balance and neuromuscular control. Participant safety will be ensured with proper instructions, rest between trials, and termination of testing if pain or discomfort occurs. The YBT is non-invasive and safe.
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the training
Vertical jump
The Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test will be used to assess lower extremity neuromuscular fatigue. The CMJ is a widely used, valid, and reliable performance test in sports science, designed to evaluate explosive force production of the lower limb muscles, the elastic properties of the muscle-tendon unit, and neuromuscular function . Participants perform a maximal vertical jump from a standing position following a rapid eccentric knee and hip flexion. This test is particularly relevant in basketball due to its high ecological validity for jump and landing movements. During the CMJ, jump height and the flight time to contact time ratio (FT:CT) will be calculated. The FT:CT ratio is an indirect indicator of neuromuscular efficiency and fatigue, with literature showing a decrease as fatigue increases. Each participant will perform three trials, with 1-minute rest between trials, and the best performance will be used for analysis. The test will be terminated if any pain, discomfort, or risk
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the training
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