Female Collegiate Basketball Players Research Articles

The Relationship Between the Use of Foot Orthoses and Knee Ligament Injury in Female Collegiate Basketball Players

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are more prevalent in female athletes than in male athletes. Basketball is a high-risk sport for anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes. This study was conducted to observe the effect of a foot orthosis on the knee ligament injury rate in female basketball players at one US university. One hundred fifty-five players on the women's basketball team were observed for knee ligament injury from 1992 to 2005. Athletes in the 1992-1993 to 1995-1996 school years (July-June) did not receive a foot orthosis and served as the control group; the treatment group comprised the athletes during the 1996-1997 to 2004-2005 school years (July-June). Athletes in the treatment group received a foot orthosis before participating in basketball. Data analysis included knee ligament injury rates and a comparison of injury rates with an incidence density ratio. Athletes in the control group had three collateral ligament injuries and three anterior cruciate ligament injuries, for an injury rate of 0.50 for both the anterior cruciate ligament and collateral ligaments. Athletes in the treatment group had four collateral ligament injuries and one anterior cruciate ligament injury, for an injury rate of 0.29 for the collateral ligaments and 0.07 for the anterior cruciate ligament. Athletes in the control group were 1.72 times more likely to sustain a collateral ligament injury and 7.14 times more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament injury than the treatment group. Foot orthoses may contribute to a decreased knee ligament injury rate in female collegiate basketball players.

The Effect of Altering the Width of a Single Step of a Running Stride on Knee Joint Kinematics

Sidestep cutting maneuvers are considered a common mechanism of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Classically, the sidestep cutting involves abruptly redirecting running direction with a plant and cut maneuver at an angle of 30–60°. However, some athletes perform other maneuvers to accomplish the same basic goals. One such maneuver, often used to misdirect or elude an opponent, involves increasing the width of a single step of a running stride, then stepping immediately back to the original line of travel. PURPOSE: To compare knee joint kinematics during the stance phase of normal running (RUN) to those in which a single step within a running stride was increased by 20% (SW20) and 35% (SW35) of body height. METHODS: Thirteen healthy female collegiate basketball players (age: 19.7 ± 1.1 yr, height: 172.3 ± 8.3 cm, mass: 71.8 ± 8.8 kg) completed 10 trials each of RUN, SW20, SW35 conditions at an average speed of 3.54 ± 0.03 m·s−1. Kinematic data were obtained using a 3D motion capture system. Angles of the stance knee during the widened step (typical step for RUN) were determined as a fixed sequence of rotations of the leg about its anatomical axes, relative to the thigh. Separate one-way repeated ANOVA (α=0.05) were used to analyze the effect of different step width conditions on peak knee angles (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation). Post hoc comparisons were performed with Tukey's HSD (α=0.05). RESULTS: Increasing the width of a single step in a running stride produced significant differences in peak knee angles: flexion (p <0.001; RUN 40.7 ± 4.3°, SW20 42.5 ± 4.4°, SW35 44.1 ± 4.2°), extension (p = 0.024; RUN −13.2 ± 2.9°, SW20 −14.3 ±2.9°, SW35 −13.6 ± 2.5°), abduction (p <0.001; RUN 0.7 ±3.7°, SW20 1.7 ± 3.4°, SW35 3.2 ±4.0°), and internal rotation (p <0.001; RUN 13.1 ±5.4°, SW20 15.2 ± 5.9°, SW35 17.6 ± 6.8°). Peak knee flexion was greater for SW20 and SW35 than RUN. Peak knee extension was greater for SW20 than for RUN and SW35. Peak knee abduction was greater for SW35 than for SW20 and RUN. Peak knee internal rotation increased progressively from RUN to SW20 to SW35. CONCLUSION: Increasing the width of a single step during running altered the peak angles of the stance knee in a manner believed to increase the force on the ACL, particularly the changes that occurred in the transverse and frontal planes. Greater effects were evident as step width increased, suggesting that the risk of ACL injury increases with step width. Further investigation is needed to determine whether increasing step width in initiating a sidestep cutting maneuver places the ACL is at more risk than increasing step width or sidestep cutting alone.

Running Economy In Male And Female Collegiate Basketball Players

Running Economy In Male And Female Collegiate Basketball Players

Running Economy In Male And Female Collegiate Basketball Players

Running Economy In Male And Female Collegiate Basketball Players

THE EFFECT OF HIGH INTENSITY RESISTANCE TRAINING ON ISOTONIC STRENGTH AMONG FEMALE COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a single-set, high intensity resistance training program on isotonic strength among female collegiate basketball players. Methods: Twelve healthy, moderately resistance trained female collegiate basketball players were randomly assigned to either a single-set, exhaustive high intensity (N = 6) or multiple-set (N = 6) group. Both groups performed heavy resistance exercise for 10 weeks. The high intensity group performed one set of 6–10 RM to volitional muscular fatigue for each exercise. The subjects were then urged to try additional repetitions until they were unsuccessful in completing a repetition. After this brief isometric contraction the set was terminated. The multiple-set group performed three sets of each exercise at 6–10 RM, but the subjects were not urged to try additional repetitions after volitional muscular fatigue. Isotonic strength data were collected at baseline and at 10 weeks by determining each subject's 1 RM leg press and bench press strength. The change in isotonic strength was compared within and between groups. Results: (reported by mean change ± SD): The change in 1 RM leg press and bench press strength (125.0 ± 33.5 lbs. and 12.5 ± 2.7 lbs., respectively) in the high intensity group was significant (p < 0.0001). The change in 1 RM leg press and bench press strength (20.8 ± 10.7 lbs. and 5.8 ± 5.8 lbs., respectively) in the multiple-set group was also significant (p < 0.03). The isotonic strength gains were significantly greater in the high intensity group than in the multiple-set group (p < 0.0002 and p < 0.02 for leg press and bench press, respectively). Conclusion: The data from this study indicate that a single-set, exhaustive high intensity resistance training program elicits superior gains in isotonic strength than does a multiple-set program among moderately resistance trained female collegiate basketball players.

Black and White Female Athletes' Perceptions of Their Bodies and Garment Fit

The purposes of this study were to investigate if there were differences between black and white female athletes' satisfaction with their bodies and fit of their clothing and to examine the relationship between body satisfaction and clothing fit. The responses of 290 female collegiate basketball players, 168 white and 122 black, were analyzed. MANOVA, Hotelling's T2, ANOVAs and Pearson Product Moment correlations were used in data analyses. Black and white females' perceptions of their overall bodies differed, black females were more positive about their bodies than white females. Female athletes in this sample did not differ in satisfaction of garment fit. Correlations for perceptions of body cathexis and garment fit were positive and significant. Results have implications for scholars studying racial differences related to dress.

The Effects of Goal-Setting and Imagery Training Programs on the Free-Throw Performance of Female Collegiate Basketball Players

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of goal-setting and imagery programs, as well as a combined goal-setting and imagery training program, on the free-throw performance among female collegiate basketball players over the course of an entire season. A multiple-baseline, single-subject A-B-A design was employed in which participants were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: (a) goal-setting (n = 4), (b) imagery (n = 4), or (c) goal-setting and imagery (n = 4). Free-throw data were collected during practice sessions. Data were examined by way of changes in mean, level, trend, latency, and variability between baseline and intervention, and then between intervention and a second baseline phase. Three participants in the goal-setting program, and one participant in the goal-setting and imagery program, increased their mean free-throw performance from baseline to intervention. However, three participants in the imagery program decreased their mean free-throw performance from baseline to intervention. Goal discrepancy scores also were investigated. A positive correlation was found between participants’ free-throw performance and personal goals.

Female Collegiate Basketball Players' Perceptions About Their Bodies, Garment Fit and Uniform Design Preferences

Designing basketball uniforms for female athletes is a challenge for soft goods manufacturers. Data were collected from 503 female collegiate basketball players concerning body cathexis, body form, garment fit satisfaction, uniform design preferences and demographic characteristics. Of the three areas of the body (upper, lower and total), players indicated they were most dissatisfied with parts of the lower body. Being in uniform did improve their perception of their bodies. Satisfaction with garment fit parallels satisfactionldissatisfaction with the body; the lower body area creates the greatest garment fit problems. The type of body form had a significant effect on both uniform fit satisfaction and uniform body cathexis. Fit satisfaction is the highest with the ectomorph body form. The differences were inverse: as the body increased in size, the lower the degree of satisfaction with garment fit and the body. Uniform preferences for the jersey were a deep V-neckline, sleeveless, and hip length with straight hemline and side vents. For the shorts, a baggy style with side v-vents at the hem, and a 1 1/2 or 2 inch wide, elastic drawstring waistband were selected. Implications for soft goods manufacturers are discussed.

The Sports Orientation of Female Collegiate Basketball Players Participating at Different Competitive Levels

The purpose of this study was to determine how individuals participating in different AIAW basketball divisions perceived a constellation of sport-related concepts. It was hypothesized that, while Division I athletes would tend to be more positively disposed to concepts related to winning and dominating others, those in Division III would be more favorable to concepts pertaining to the personal values of involvement. Although Division I athletes had marginally more positive attitudes toward mastering opponents than individuals in Division III, no differences across divisions were found in the evaluation of concepts pertaining to personal satisfactions associated with participation. Across divisions concepts related to personal satisfaction were viewed most positively, those having to do with mastery over opponents next, and those concerned with the social pressures to participate were viewed somewhat negatively.

Convergent and Incremental Effects of Cohesion on Attributions for Self and Team

Midseason and postseason measures taken from female collegiate basketball players provided information about their perception of team cohesion, personal and team success, and attributions for their own and their team's performance. First, it was hypothesized that players from highly cohesive teams show more consistency between self and team attributions than players from teams with low cohesion. This prediction received partial support, in that at the end of their season, players on cohesive teams demonstrated greater convergence between attributions for self and team than did players from less cohesive teams. Players associated with less cohesive teams made greater luck attributions and lesser task attributions for their performance than for the performance of their team. No significant differences were found for either effort or ability attributions. The second hypothesis predicted that cohesion influences players' team attributions over and above any influence of team outcome. Only for unsuccessful teams did cohesion affect attributions independently of team outcome. Finally, Schlenker and Miller's (1977b) notion of “fairness” in self-attributions as a function of high cohesion was explored.