Female High School Basketball Players Research Articles

Single-legged landing behavior of high school basketball players with chronic ankle instability

ObjectivesAnterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most serious ligamentous injuries. The purpose is to compare the impact of the ankle joint on the knee during landing between athletes with chronic instability and a control group (coper group) and to verify the effects of the kinetic chain from other joints. DesignProspective study. SettingHigh school basketball. ParticipantsParticipants were 62 female high school basketball players who had participated in team sports for >6 months. Main outcome measuresPlayer joint angles, movements, and moments. ResultsThe knee valgus moment was significantly higher in the chronic ankle instability group than in the coper group (20%–60% [p < 0.01]; 80%–100% [p < 0.05]) during landing motion. The knee valgus moment was also significantly higher during the change from the maximum knee joint flexion position to the maximum extension (p < 0.05). In addition, the landing motions of the chronic instability group may have utilized suboptimal compensatory motor strategy on the sagittal plane, depending heavily on the knee joint's abduction moment. ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the chronic ankle instability group uses a different landing strategy pattern than the coper group by changing the joint moment and joint angle during landing, which may increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Effects of High School Basketball Player's Sports Participation Motivation on Achievement Goal Orientation and Achievement Behaviors.

Background:Although the motivation to set goals and taking steps to achieve them is essential for athletes wishing to progress to a professional level, motives for participating in sports vary depending on personal and physical characteristics. We aimed to investigate the effect of motivation to participate in sports on achievement goal orientation and achievement behavior in high-school basketball players.Methods:The study included 256 female high-school basketball players from Busan, Korea, and was conducted between September and October 2020. The questionnaires obtained data regarding motivation to participate in sports, achievement goal orientation, and achievement behavior. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.Results:Motivation to participate in sports exhibited a significant positive correlation with achievement goal orientation (P<0.05). Specifically, motivation related to the development of technical skills and achieving a sense of fulfillment, amusement, and health exerted a positive effect on task-goal orientation. Greater motivation related to technical skill development, attaining a sense of accomplishment, and improving health was associated with greater self-goal orientation. Additionally, achievement goal orientation exerted a significant positive effect on achievement behavior (P<0.05).Conclusion:Given the relative unpopularity of basketball in Korea, it is crucial for players to develop high achievement goal orientation and engage in real efforts to translate such motivation into action. This goal- and achievement-oriented attitude should precede motivation for participating in basketball.

DOES BRAIN ACTIVATION DURING FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT TASKS DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD MOVERS? AN INTEGRATED NEUROIMAGING ASSESSMENT OF MOTOR CONTROL IN YOUNG ATHLETES

Background:Aberrant frontal and sagittal plane knee motor control biomechanics contribute to increased anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk. Emergent data further indicates alterations in brain function may underlie ACL injury high risk biomechanics and primary injury. However, technical limitations have limited our ability to assess direct linkages between maladaptive biomechanics and brain function.Hypothesis/Purpose:(1) Increased frontal plane knee range of motion would associate with altered brain activity in regions important for sensorimotor control and (2) increased sagittal plane knee motor control timing error would associate with altered activity in sensorimotor control brain regions.Methods:Eighteen female high-school basketball and volleyball players (14.7 ± 1.4 years, 169.5 ± 7 cm, 65.8 ± 20.5 kg) underwent brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a bilateral, combined hip, knee, and ankle flexion/extension movements against resistance (i.e., leg press) Figure 1(a). The participants completed this task to a reference beat of 1.2 Hz during four movement blocks of 30 seconds each interleaved in between 5 rest blocks of 30 seconds each. Concurrent frontal and sagittal plane range of motion (ROM) kinematics were measured using an MRI-compatible single camera motion capture system.Results:Increased frontal plane ROM was associated with increased brain activity in one cluster extending over the occipital fusiform gyrus and lingual gyrus (p = .003, z > 3.1). Increased sagittal plane motor control timing error was associated with increased brain activity in multiple clusters extending over the occipital cortex (lingual gyrus), frontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex (p < .001, z > 3.1); see Figure 1 (b).Conclusion:The associations of increased knee frontal plane ROM and sagittal plane timing error with increased activity in regions that integrate visuospatial information may be indicative of an increased propensity for knee injury biomechanics that are, in part, driven by reduced spatial awareness and an inability to adequately control knee abduction motion. Increased activation in these regions during movement tasks may underlie an impaired ability to control movements (i.e., less neural efficiency), leading to compromised knee positions during more complex sports scenarios. Increased activity in regions important for cognition/attention associating with motor control timing error further indicates a neurologically inefficient motor control strategy.Figure 1:(a) Participant positioned in the leg press apparatus during fMRI and instrumented with MRI-compatible motion analysis markers (b) Brain activity associated with poor knee frontal plane (green) and sagittal plane (red) kinematics.

Risk factors for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury in female high school basketball and handball players: A prospective 3-year cohort study

IntroductionThe risk factors of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury remain an enigma. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the risk factors for noncontact ACL injury in female high school basketball and handball players. Materials and MethodsWe conducted a 3-year prospective cohort study between 2009 and 2014, and it included 317 female high school athletes aged 15 years. At baseline, they underwent detailed examinations for various parameters that were documented during their first year of high school. The parameters assessed were height (cm), weight (kg), general joint laxity (points), navicular drop (mm), anterior laxity of the knee using the KT-1000 Knee Ligament Arthrometer (mm), angle of femoral anteversion (º), knee extensor/flexor muscle strength (Nm/kg), and hip abductor strength (Nm/kg). All ACL injuries that occurred during these 3 years were recorded. ResultsOf 317 players, 27 were excluded because they either had a history of ACL injury or could not complete the study. Thirty ACL tears occurred. Three of the ACL injuries were contact injuries, whereas the remaining 27 were noncontact injuries. Greater body weight (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.030–1.174; P = 0.004), a high hip abductor strength (95% CI, 1.462–4.827; P = 0.001), and small femoral anteversion (95% CI, 0.746–0.982; P = 0.027) were found to be risk factors in logistic regression analysis. ConclusionGreater body weight, a high hip abductor strength, and small femoral anteversion were risk factors for noncontact ACL injury in female high school basketball and handball players.

Self-assessment during Jump Shot Drills Translates to Decreased Vertical Ground Reaction Forces during Single Limb Drop Jump Landing.

Prevention programs reduce hard and stiff landings associated with risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, yet cost and time are barriers to implementation. Providing feedback about landing mechanics during shooting drills at practices using minimal resources and time may improve adherence to educating athletes how to avoid risky mechanics associated with ACL injury when landing. Implementing video, auditory, written, and pictorial feedback into basketball practices to cue athletes on landing mechanics after taking a jump shot may soften the landing. The purpose of this study was to test whether implementing video, auditory, written, and pictorial feedback into a basketball practice jump shot drill (i.e., double limb drop jump landing task) will result in lesser vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during a single limb drop jump landing without decreasing maximal jump height. Observational, Case-control Study. During a summer league, 16 female high school basketball players were assigned to an intervention (Int) or control (Con) group. The Int group (n=8) utilized delayed video feedback and task cards (written and pictorial cues) at six practices while the Con group (n=8) received typical coaching only. Cost and compliance with the intervention were measured. Pre- and post-season data collections included five single limb drop jumps from a 31 cm high box onto force plates. The vGRF impulses over the first 10% of landing were calculated for each limb. Data did not differ between limbs, thus data for both limbs were pooled. Two mixed model ANOVAs were used to compare groups over time (p<0.05) for vGRF and maximum jump height, respectively. Compliance with the intervention was 100% and did not increase the time of drills. The implementation cost was less than $10. A time*group interaction (p=0.04; Int significantly decreased vGRF over time), main effect of time (p=0.004), and no main effect of group (p=0.412) were found for vGRF during single limb drop jump landings. A time*group interaction (p=0.03; Int significantly decreased max jump height over time), no main effect of time (p=0.10) and no main effect of group (p=0.32) were found for max jump height. Athletes landed more softly and jumped less high during a single limb drop jump landing task after receiving feedback during jump shot drills. High team compliance may occur since the intervention required minimal resources and addressed different learning styles. Level 3b.

Poor static balance is a risk factor for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury.

This prospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between static balance and the incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in female high school athletes. This study included 276 female high school handball or basketball players. At the time of admission, each subject's static balance was measured with a gravicorder, and the incidence of non-contact ACL injury was investigated in the 3years until the student graduated. The measured parameters of postural sway were locus length per time (the distance that a center of gravity of the foot pressure moves per second) and environmental area (AR: the area surrounded by the integumentary covering of the trace of the center of gravity). Twenty-seven players (9.8%) experienced an ACL injury during the 3-year observation period. Twenty-four injured players sustained a non-contact injury and three injured players sustained a contact injury. In this study, the three contact injury players were excluded. We compared the differences in the static balance between injured and uninjured players. The locus length per time was significantly longer in injured than in uninjured players (p = 0.046). Though there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in AR (p = 0.190), AR tended to be larger in the ACL injured group. This result shows that poor static balance is a risk factor for non-contact ACL injury.

Greater body mass index and hip abduction muscle strength predict noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury in female Japanese high school basketball players.

This 3-year prospective study assessed risk factors for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female Japanese high school basketball players. Players suffering noncontact ACL injuries were assumed to demonstrate poorer hip abductor, knee flexor, and knee extensor muscle strength, as well as static balance, than those without injuries. One hundred and ninety-five new female high school basketball players underwent baseline examinations for various parameters during their first year of high school. After the baseline data were collected, all ACL injuries occurring over the subsequent 3years were recorded. The assessment parameters between the noncontact ACL injury group and the control group were compared. Of the 195 players, 24 were excluded due to pre-existing injuries present during the initial examination, quitting the basketball club during the follow-up period, or missing data. The remaining 171 players were observed for 3 years; unilateral noncontact ACL injuries were occurred in 12 players. Significantly lower general joint laxity and greater hip abductor strength were observed in the ACL injury group than in the control group. Body mass index (BMI) and hip abductor strength were significantly greater in the ACL injury group than in the control group, based on logistic regression analysis. Greater BMI and hip abductor muscle strength were independent risk factors for noncontact ACL injuries in female Japanese high school basketball players. Although performing complete screens may be difficult, attention should be given to ACL injuries, particularly in highly competitive players with strong muscles. III.

High Body Mass Index and Hip Abductor Muscle Strength were Risk Factors for Non-contact ACL Injury in Female High School Basketball Players: A Prospective Three-year Cohort Study

Objectives:To prospectively evaluate risk factors for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in female high school basketball players. We hypothesized that female high-school basketball players suffering non-contact ACL injuries would demonstrate weaker hip abductor and knee flexor muscle strength and poor static balance, when compared to those without ACL injury.Methods:Study Design: Prospective cohort study.195 new female high school basketball players underwent detailed examinations for various parameters that were documented at their first-year of high school. The parameters assessed were height (cm), body weight (kg), body mass index (kg/m2), anterior knee laxity (mm), general joint laxity (point), femoral anteversion (degree), navicular drop (mm), muscle strength of knee flexion (Nm/kg), extension (Nm/kg), and hip abduction (Nm/kg) and static balance. All ACL injuries that occurred during these 3 years were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows 23.0. The parameters were compared using the Student t-test. Parameters with P values <0.2 were considered independent variables by logistic regression analysis (simultaneous). The level of significance for all statistical analyses was set at α = 0.05.Results:Of the 195 players, 24 were excluded because they either had a history of ACL injury or could not the study. The remaining 171 players were observed during the 3 years, from start of high school until graduation. A total of 16 ACL tears occurred. One of the ACL injury were contact injury, whereas the remaining 15 were noncontact ACL injuries. Nine players were injured during the games, 7 were injured during practices. The parameters were measured as follows for the ACL injury group and control group respectively: height, 161.3 ± 6.7 and 162.0 ± 5.7 cm, P = 0.63; body weight, 57.5 ± 7.8 and 55.4 ± 6.2kg, P = 0.22; body mass index, 22.1 ± 1.8 and 20.1 ± 2.7, P= 0.17; anterior knee laxity, 4.0 ± 1.0 and 3.8 ± 1.1 mm, P = 0.54;, general joint laxity, 1.8 ± 1.3 and 2.7 ± 2.2 points, P = 0.03; femoral anteversion, 16.2 ± 3.7 and 16.7 ± 3.3 degree, P = 0.60; navicular drop, 8.5 ± 6.2 and 8.0 ± 3.3 mm, P = 0.78; muscle strength of knee flexion, 0.97 ± 0.27 and 0.89 ± 0.20 Nm/kg, P = 0.17; muscle strength of knee extension, 1.73 ± 0.39 and 1.58 ± 0.35 Nm, P = 0.14; muscle strength of hip abduction, 1.42 ± 0.32 and 1.26 ± 0.24 N, P = 0.02; locus length per time, 1.35 ± 0.39 and 1.16 ± 0.26 cm/s, P = 0.09; and environmental area, 2.62 ± 1.64 and 2.20 ± 1.22 cm2, P = 0.37 (Table 1). Body mass index (P=0.008, 95% CI, 0.517-0.904) and muscle strength of hip abduction (P = 0.032, 95% CI, 0.002-0.477) were found to be independent risk factors in logistic regression analysis (Table 2).Conclusion:The most notable finding of this study was that greater hip abductor muscle strength is a risk factor for non-contact ACL injury in these athletes. This study is the first to identify the relationship between non-contact ACL injury and hip abductor muscle strength.Table 1. ACL injury group (n=14)Control group (n=156)P valueHeight (cm)161.3 ± 6.7162.0 ± 5.70.63Body weight (kg)57.5 ± 7.855.4 ± 6.20.22Body mass index (%)22.1 ± 1.820.1 ± 2.70.17Anterior knee laxity (mm)4.0 ± 1.03.8 ± 1.10.54General joint laxity (points)1.8 ± 1.32.7 ± 2.20.03Femoral anteversion (degree)16.2 ± 3.716.7 ± 3.30.60Navicular drop (mm)8.5 ± 6.28.0 ± 3.30.78Knee flex. (Nm/kg)0.97 ± 0.270.89 ± 0.200.17Knee ext. (Nm/kg)1.73 ± 0.391.58 ± 0.350.14Hip abd. (Nm/kg)1.42 ± 0.321.26 ± 0.240.02Locus length (cm/s)1.35 ± 0.391.16 ± 0.260.09Environmental area (cm2)2.62 ± 1.642.20 ± 1.220.37Table 2. Standard partial regression coefficientSEP valueOdds ratio95 % confidence intervalBody mass index-0.3810.1430.0080.6830.517~0.904General joint laxity0.3220.1850.0811.3930.961~1.982Knee flex.-0.6382.1990.7720.5290.007~39.321Knee ext.-0.2441.3090.8520.7830.060~10.183Hip abd.-3.4321.3740.0120.0320.002~0.477Locus length-1.6250.8710.0620.1970.036~1.086

Epidemiological survey of anterior cruciate ligament injury in Japanese junior high school and high school athletes: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACTWe investigated the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among athletes in junior high school and high school by retrospectively reviewing Japan Sports Council notification data registered over a period of 10 years. The total number of ACL injuries during the 10-year period was 30,458, with an incidence of 0.81 per 1000 athlete-years. Among those with ACL injuries, the ratio of girls to boys was 2.8, and incidence of injury was significantly greater among girls than boys (1.36 as against 0.48). Athletes in the 11th grade demonstrated the highest incidence of ACL injuries. We also found that the greatest incidence of ACL injuries was among female high school basketball players; the second highest being among female high school Judo athletes. For sports with a greater number of ACL injuries and a higher injury rate, it is necessary to obtain more detailed data and analysis to determine an effective prevention programme.

RISK FACTORS FOR NON-CONTACT ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY IN JAPANESE FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL AND HANDBALL PLAYERS. A PROSPECTIVE THREE-YEAR COHORT STUDY

BackgroundMany studies have explored the risk factors for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.ObjectiveTo prospectively evaluate risk factors for noncontact ACL injury in Japanese female high school basketball and handball...

Application Examples of Group Counseling Program for Conflict Management to a High School Female Basketball Team

The research was conducted to derive the changes of how to solve the conflict by applying conflict management program based on group counseling technique to high school female players who are easy to cause personal relation conflicts with the purpose to improve individual relations between the players. Eight female basketball players in a single high school team have been selected as the research participants, 10 sessions of group counseling programs were constituted as diagnosing the problems in the team. The pre-to-post results were compared by surveying morale, communication, colleague relations in order to invest the effect of the group counseling program, and the friendship changes were checked by sociogram. Moreover, the satisfaction of the program was checked through the individual interview. As the result, the conflict management program improved the ability to handle the conflict relations of high school female basketball players, and effected the positive friendship changes as the investigation result of the program effect through the individual interview. Furthermore, it represented that there was high subjective satisfaction of the players and the coaches by the conflict management.

Changes in ground reaction force during a rebound-jump task after hip strength training for single-sided ankle dorsiflexion restriction.

[Purpose] Lateral ankle sprains are common injuries suffered while playing sports, and abnormal forward- and inward-directed ground reaction force occurs during a jumping task. However, the influence of hip muscle strength training on jumping performance after ankle injuries has not been fully examined. This study thus examined changes in ground reaction force during a rebound-jump task after training to strengthen hip muscles. [Subjects and Methods] Ten of 30 female high school basketball players were assigned as subjects who showed a difference of 7 or more degrees in dorsiflexion ranges between the bilateral ankles. The subjects underwent 12 weeks of training to strengthen hip abductors and external rotators. Comparisons between before and after training were made regarding ground reaction force components, hip and knee joint angles, percentage of maximum voluntary contraction in leg muscles, and muscle strength of hip muscles during the rebound-jump task. [Results] After training, the subjects showed increased strength of external rotator muscles, increased percentage of maximum voluntary contraction in the gluteus medius muscle, decreased inward ground reaction force, and increased flexion angles of the hip and knee joints. [Conclusion] This study suggests that training to strengthen hip muscles may ameliorate the inward ground reaction force in athletes with ankle dorsiflexion restriction.

The Effects of Frontal- and Sagittal-Plane Plyometrics on Change-of-Direction Speed and Power in Adolescent Female Basketball Players.

Plyometrics is a popular training modality for basketball players to improve power and change-of-direction speed. Most plyometric training has used sagittal-plane exercises, but improvements in change-of-direction speed have been greater in multi-direction programs. To determine the benefits of a 6-wk frontal-plane plyometric (FPP) training program compared with a 6-wk sagittal-plane plyometric (SPP) training program with regard to power and change-of-direction speed. Fourteen female varsity high school basketball players participated in the study. Multiple 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences for the FPP and SPP groups from preintervention to postintervention on 4 tests of power and 2 tests of change-of-direction speed. There was a group main effect for time in all 6 tests. There was a significant group × time interaction effect in 3 of the 6 tests. The SPP improved performance of the countermovement vertical jump more than the FPP, whereas the FPP improved performance of the lateral hop (left) and lateral-shuffle test (left) more than the SPP. The standing long jump, lateral hop (right), and lateral-shuffle test (right) did not show a significant interaction effect. These results suggest that basketball players should incorporate plyometric training in all planes to improve power and change-of-direction speed.

EFFECT OF INJURY PREVENTION TRAINING ON KNEE MECHANICS IN FEMALE ADOLESCENTS DURING PUBERTY

BackgroundFemale adolescents change their landing mechanics during puberty. It is unknown whether implementation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention training reduces the loss of knee control in female athletes...

Incidence and Internal Risk Factors of Non-Contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Female High School Basketball Players

This injury survey showed the high ACL injury incidence/1000 player exposures of 0.151 in the female high school basketball players, however, the comprehensive examination failed to find the statistical correlation between noncontact ACL injury and the internal risk factors.

A Comparison of Heart Rate Response and Frequencies of Technical Actions Between Half-Court and Full-Court 3-A-Side Games in High School Female Basketball Players

The purpose of this study was to compare heart rate (HR) response and frequency of technical actions between half-court and full-court 3-a-side games in female high school basketball players. Twelve young female basketball players (age 15.5 ± 0.5 years; height 165.1 ± 5.7 cm; body mass 57.3 ± 7.2 kg; training age 4.2 ± 0.7 years; HRmax 202.9 ± 5.6 b·min(-1)) participated in this study voluntarily. On the first day, anthropometric measurements (height and body mass) were taken for each player; this was followed by the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YIRT) level 1 for the subjects. Then, half-court and full-court 3-a-side games were organized in random order at 2-day intervals. The HRmax for each player was determined during the YIRT, after which the HR was measured during the 3-a-side games. In addition, the frequencies of different categories of technical actions were counted manually during the 3-a-side games. A paired t-test was calculated for each dependent variable, including HR, percentage of maximum HR (%HRmax), and the frequencies of different technical actions to compare half-court and full-court 3-a-side games. The study results indicate that the full-court 3-a-side games produced significantly higher responses than the half-court 3-a-side games in terms of HR and %HRmax (p < 0.05), whereas the half-court games resulted in significantly higher frequencies of technical actions (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that, if coaches want to achieve greater HR responses, coaches of female high school basketball players should organize full-court 3-a-side games, whereas coaches who want to focus on technical actions should arrange half-court 3-a-side games.

Differences in dynamic alignment and flexibility between junior high-school and high-school female basketball players

Differences in dynamic alignment and flexibility between junior high-school and high-school female basketball players

Body Size, Coping Strategies, and Mental Health in Adolescent Female Athletes

Relations among body size, stress coping strategies, and mental health were examined in female high-school gymnasts (n=44) and basketball players (n=105), aged 14–18 years (M = 15.8, SD = 1.1), through hierarchical regression analyses. Athletes completed the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist prior to the season and the Mental Health Inventory at the end of the season. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. The use of adaptive over maladaptive coping strategies was associated with more positive mental health and less distress in both sports. In gymnasts, BMI was inversely related to psychological well-being and the interaction between height and less adaptive coping strategies significantly predicted psychological distress.

A Training Program to Improve Neuromuscular and Performance Indices in Female High School Basketball Players

The purpose of this study was to determine if a sports-specific training program could improve neuromuscular and performance indices in female high school basketball players. We combined components from a published anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program for jump and strength training with other exercises and drills to improve speed, agility, overall strength, and aerobic conditioning. We hypothesized that this sports-specific training program would lead to significant improvements in neuromuscular and performance indices in high school female basketball players. Fifty-seven female athletes aged 14-17 years participated in the supervised 6-week program, 3 d·wk(-1) for approximately 90-120 minutes per session. The program was conducted on the basketball court and in weight room facilities in high schools. The athletes underwent a video drop-jump test, multistage fitness test, vertical jump test, and an 18-m sprint test before and upon completion of the training program. All the subjects attended at least 14 training sessions. After training, a significant increase was found in the mean estimated VO2max (p < 0.001), with 89% of the athletes improving this score. In the drop-jump video test, significant increases were found in the mean absolute knee separation distance (p < 0.0001) and in the mean normalized knee separation distance (p < 0.0001), indicating a more neutral lower limb alignment on landing. A significant improvement was found in the vertical jump test (p < 0.0001); however, the effect size was small (0.09). No improvement was noted in the sprint test. This program significantly improved lower limb alignment on a drop-jump test and estimated maximal aerobic power and may be implemented preseason or off-season in high school female basketball players.

Effect Of Jump Training On Correction Of Neuromuscular And Strength Deficits For ACL Injury Prevention

PURPOSE: Females athletes are 5-8 times more likely to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL) than their male counterparts. The purpose of the current study is to develop a jump-training program that will not only correct faults in jumping/landing techniques but will also improve sports specific performance. We hypothesize that our program will achieve both of the above goals. METHODS: Twenty female high school basketball players from two schools were recruited. They were divided equally into a control and testing group. Both groups were tested at the beginning and at the end of the study on sports performance measures (vertical jump, Z-drill speed) and video recorded while performing a tuck jump test (TJT). Videos of athletes performing the TJT were analyzed by three blinded examiners to evaluate incorrect techniques that may predispose the athlete to injury. The TJT was graded on a ten point scale looking at specific deficits with each deficit receiving a point. Athletes considered at risk for ACL injury have a score of six or greater and those not at risk have a score of five or less. The control group underwent their regular basketball practices as with no additional training. The testing group underwent their regular training, in addition to a 6-week, 12-session training specifically designed jump training program. RESULTS: Prior to the season, 8 out of 10 athletes (mean 6, range 4 to 6.6) in the testing group vs. 7 out of 10 (mean 6, range 1.6 to 7.0) in the control group were considered "at risk" using the TJT. At the conclusion, 0/10 (mean 3.4, range 2.3 to 5.0) in the testing group vs 7/10 (mean 6, range 2.3 to 6.0) in the control group were "at risk" (p<0.0003). Using sports performance measures the testing group had almost 2 inch improvement in vertical jump (16 inches improved to 17.7 inches) (p=0.07) vs minimal improvement in the control group (16.8 inches to 17.2 inches). On Z-drill speed test, the test group decreased their time by 0.53 seconds (4.67s to 4.16s) (p<0.0004) whereas the control group's times did not change (4.6s to 4.6s) (p=0.5). CONCLUSION: Our current jump training program was able to improve not only jump-land techniques but was also able to improve sports performance in 12 sessions.