EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE ON FREE THROW ACCURACY IN BASKETBALL ATHLETES

Abstract

The free throw is the single most important shot in the game of basketball. The factors influencing the ability of the basketball free throw accuracy consisted of skill, standing balance, muscle fatigue, and concentration. Massage has been used for reducing muscle fatigue in sports which may affect standing balance, concentration, and free throw accuracy. However, there were no research studies available on these regards. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on standing balance, muscle fatigue, concentration, and basketball free throw accuracy. Thirty male basketball athletes were randomly allocated into either traditional Thai massage (TTM) group or Control (C) group after which they were swabbed to receive the other one with a 2-week washed out period. Standing balance, perceived muscle fatigue, concentration, and basketball free throw accuracy were measured before and the next day after receiving either 1-hour session of TTM or rest. The study found that balance and concentration were significantly increased (p<0.05) only in the TTM group. Fatigue was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in TTM group while it was significantly increased (p<0.05) in C group. Between-group comparison revealed that standing balance and fatigue were significantly different (p<0.05). However, free throw accuracy was not changed in both within- and between- groups comparison. We conclude that a 1-hour session TTM could increase standing balance, decrease muscle fatigue, and increase concentration but could not affect free throw accuracy in basketball athletes.