Shoulder joint position sense is negatively correlated with free-throw percentage in professional basketball players

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the free-throw percentage, joint position sense, and muscle torque in professional basketball players. Methods: Eleven professional basketball players participated in the study, with each subject acting as their own internal control by using the non-dominant side. Knee and shoulder joint of the players were evaluated bilaterally. Flexion and extension peak torque of the knee were evaluated isokinetically system. In addition flexion/abduction/external rotation (F/ABD/ER) and extension/adduction/internal rotation (E/ADD/IR) diagonal pattern peak torque of the shoulder were measured. The joint position sense of both knees and shoulders were evaluated using an active angle reproduction. Thirty, 45, 60 and 75 degrees target angles were used for knee and 160, 135, and 120 degrees target angles were used shoulder. The free-throw percentage of the players for 40 matches in the 2009-2010 season was taken from the Turkish Basketball League official website. The relationship between the peak torque of the muscles, joint position sense, and the free-throw percentage was evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in the peak torques of the knee and shoulder muscles and joint position sense between the dominant and non-dominant sides (p > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the free-throw percentage and the peak torque of the shoulder muscles during the F/ABD/ER pattern at 60 degrees/s in the dominant side of the players. There was a borderline trend to significance between the free-throw percentage and the shoulder joint position sense (eyes-closed and at 160 degrees) in the dominant side. There was a borderline significant correlation between the free-throw percentage and the knee joint position sense (eyes-open and at 75 degrees) in the dominant side. Conclusions: The effect of proprioceptive and strengthening exercises on the free-throw percentage is still unknown. Further comprehensive studies are warranted to analyze the effect of proprioceptive and strengthening exercises on the free-throw percentage in elite basketball players