Female High School Basketball Players Research Articles

Benefits of Neuromuscular Training Program for Knee Injury Prevention and Perfromance Enhancement in High School Female Basketball Players

PURPOSE: Various training programs have been developed for female athletes to improve neuromuscular deficiencies in order to reduce the incidence of knee ligament injuries. We developed a program for high school female basketball players designed to improve both lower limb alignment on landing from a drop-jump, as well as speed, agility and cardiovascular capacity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a comprehensive neuromuscular training program on landing mechanics and selected sports-specific performance parameters in high school female basketball players. METHODS: Fifty-nine female high school basketball players aged 13 to 17 participated in a supervised 6-week neuromuscular training program. A previously published program was used, with the addition of exercises/drills to improve speed, agility, strength, and cardiovascular capacity. A battery of tests were administered before and after the training program including a video-recorded drop-jump test, multi-stage fitness test, vertical jump, and 20-yard dash test. RESULTS: Athlete compliance with training was high, as all participants attended at least 15 of the 18 training sessions. The aerobic capacity (V̇o2max) showed significant increase (34.1 ± 4.3 pre-train and 39.6 ± 7.1 ml/kg/min post-train, p < .0001), with 53 athletes demonstrating improved scores. Improvements were also found in the drop-jump test for the normalized knee separation distance (42.7 ± 16.5 pre-train and 76.0 ± 19.6 post-train, p < .0001) and the mean absolute separation distance (cm) of knees on landing (17.7 ± 7.2 pre-train and 31.7 ± 10.5 post-train, p < .0001). Further, the vertical jump performance improved from pre- to post-training (14.1 ± 2.7 pre-train and 16 ± 3.7 inches post-train, p < .0001) as well as the 20-yard dash times (3.53 ± .3 pre-train and 3.45 ± .45 post-train, p = .0374). Before training, 51 of the athletes demonstrated poor overall lower limb alignment (with less than 60% of knee separation distance) during landing compared to only 8 after training. Practical Applications: While implementing a program in an attempt to reduce the risk of frequently occurring ACL-injuries in female basketball players, it may be advantageous to combine traditional neuromuscular re-training on landing mechanics with sports-specific performance enhancement training program. This appears to result in more optimal outcome by providing not only a reduction in the risk of serious knee injuries, but also an overall improvement in athletic performance. CONCLUSIONS: This neuromuscular training program is effective in improving both the lower limb alignment during landing activity, thus reducing the risk of knee injuries, and performance parameters of maximal aerobic capacity, vertical jump height, and the 20-yard dash time in high school female basketball players.

Balance Improvements in Female High School Basketball Players after a 6-Week Neuromuscular-Training Program

Poor balance has been associated with increased injury risk among athletes. Neuromuscular-training programs have been advocated as a means of injury prevention, but little is known about the benefits of these programs on balance in high school athletes. To determine whether there are balance gains after participation in a neuromuscular-training program in high school athletes. Nonrandomized controlled trial. All data were collected at each participating high school before and after a 6-wk intervention or control period. 62 female high school basketball players recruited from the local high school community and assigned to a training (n = 37) or control (n = 25) group. Training-group subjects participated in a 6-wk neuromuscular-training program that included plyometric, functional-strengthening, balance, and stability-ball exercises. Data were collected for the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) before and after the 6-wk intervention or control period. The authors found a significant decrease in total BESS errors in the trained group at the posttest compared with their pretest and the control group (P = .003). Trained subjects also scored significantly fewer BESS errors on the single-foam and tandem-foam conditions at the posttest than the control group and demonstrated improvements on the single-foam compared with their pretest (P = .033). The authors found improvements in reach in the lateral, anteromedial, medial, and posterior directions in the trained group at the posttest compared with the control group (P < .05) using the SEBT. The study demonstrates that a neuromuscular-training program can increase the balance and proprioceptive capabilities of female high school basketball players and that clinical balance measures are sensitive to detect these differences.

Pilot study of female high school basketball players' anterior cruciate ligament injury knowledge, attitudes, and practices

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention program was evaluated. One hundred and thirteen female high school varsity and junior varsity basketball players and 12 coaches participated in an 8-week educational and skills program. Demographic and injury history data were collected. At pre-intervention and at the end of season, knowledge, attitudes, and practices about ACL risk and injury prevention were assessed via questionnaires, and frequency of two-footed landings were videotaped during games. Univariate statistics described the sample. Paired t-tests evaluated the program's impact. Cronbach's alpha, correlations, and kappa statistics assessed the validity and reliability of questionnaires and video analysis. Of the 113 players, 74 completed the study. The players' mean age was 16.25 years (SD=1.07; range=14.2-18.8). Baseline knowledge score was 57.2%, practice 58.4%, and attitude 73.5%. The mean baseline knowledge score of the 12 coaches (mean age=40.8 years; SD=10.3; range=26.9-56.3) was 68.7%. Players' knowledge about ACL injury prevention improved (t=2.57; P<0.01). No changes in attitudes toward injury prevention were found (t(diff)=1.88; P<0.06). Inter-rater reliability of two-footed landings observed was acceptable (kappa=0.72). Videotape analyses revealed a 5.5% increase in landing performance (t(diff)=9.6; P<0.0001). The program increased knowledge about ACL injury risk and improved player's landing skills.

Effects of Sports Injury Prevention Training on the Biomechanical Risk Factors of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in High School Female Basketball Players

Background Female athletes have a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury than their male counterparts who play at similar levels in sports involving pivoting and landing. Hypothesis The competitive female basketball players who participated in a sports injury prevention training program would show better muscle strength and flexibility and improved biomechanical properties associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury than during the pretraining period and than posttraining parameters in a control group. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods A total of 22 high school female basketball players were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups (the experimental group and the control group, 11 participants each). The experimental group was instructed in the 6 parts of the sports injury prevention training program and performed it during the first 20 minutes of team practice for the next 8 weeks, while the control group performed their regular training program. Both groups were tested with a rebound-jump task before and after the 8-week period. A total of 21 reflective markers were placed in preassigned positions. In this controlled laboratory study, a 2-way analysis of variance (2 × 2) experimental design was used for the statistical analysis (P < .05) using the experimental group and a testing session as within and between factors, respectively. Post hoc tests with Sidak correction were used when significant factor effects and/or interactions were observed. Results A comparison of the experimental group's pretraining and posttraining results identified training effects on all strength parameters (P = .004 to .043) and on knee flexion, which reflects increased flexibility (P = .022). The experimental group showed higher knee flexion angles (P = .024), greater interknee distances (P = .004), lower hamstring-quadriceps ratios (P = .023), and lower maximum knee extension torques (P = .043) after training. In the control group, no statistical differences were observed between pretraining and posttraining findings (P = .084 to .873). At pretraining, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups for any parameter (P = .067 to .784). However, a comparison of the 2 groups after training revealed that the experimental group had significantly higher knee flexion angles (P = .023), greater knee distances (P = .005), lower hamstring-quadriceps ratios (P = .021), lower maximum knee extension torques (P = .124), and higher maximum knee abduction torques (P = .043) than the control group. Conclusion The sports injury prevention training program improved the strength and flexibility of the competitive female basketball players tested and biomechanical properties associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury as compared with pretraining parameters and with posttraining parameters in the control group. Clinical Relevance This injury prevention program could potentially modify the flexibility, strength, and biomechanical properties associated with ACL injury and lower the athlete's risk for injury.

Effects of Sports Injury Prevention Program on the Knee extension and valgus moment in High School Female Basketball Players during the Basketball Rebound

Effects of Sports Injury Prevention Program on the Knee extension and valgus moment in High School Female Basketball Players during the Basketball Rebound

高校女子バスケットボール選手の股関節外転筋・後足部機能とKnee in および Hip out の関係について

Dynamic knee valgus is considered a risk factor of noncontact ACL injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the association between hip and hindfoot dynamic alignment and dynamic knee valgus.This cross-sectional study involved 88 high school female basketball players (175 legs). Subjects performed single-leg squatting and drop landing which provided a hip-out distance (HOD) and a knee-in distance (KID) via 2D video images. Hip and hindfoot dynamic alignment was evaluated by a dynamic Trendelenburg test (DTT) and a heel-floor test (HFT), respectively, during squatting and landing.The DTT-positive group (dynamic hip mal-alignment with lower non-weightbearing pelvis) demonstrated greater HOD and KID values for both squatting (p＜0.001) and landing (p＜0.001) than the DTT-negative group. The HFT-positive group (5o or greater hindfoot valgus) demonstrated greater KID values for both squatting (p＜0.01) and landing (p＜0.001), but smaller HOD value for squatting (p＜0.01) than the HFT-negative group.In conclusion, dynamic hip mal-alignment may be associated with both greater HOD and KID, but hindfoot valgus only with greater KID.

A Season-Long Team-Building Intervention: Examining the Effect of Team Goal Setting on Cohesion

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether the implementation of a season-long team-building intervention program using team goal setting increased perceptions of cohesion. The participants were 86 female high school basketball players from 8 teams. The teams were randomly assigned to either an experimental team goal-setting or control condition. Each participant completed the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ; Carron, Brawley, & Widmeyer, 2002; Carron, Widmeyer, & Brawley, 1985), which assessed cohesion at both the beginning and end of the season. Overall, the results revealed a significant multivariate effect, Pillai's trace F(12, 438) = 2.68, p = .002. Post hoc analyses showed that at the beginning of the season, athletes from both conditions did not differ in their perceptions of cohesion. However, at the end of the season, athletes in the team goal-setting condition held higher perceptions of cohesion than athletes in the control condition. Overall, the results indicated that team goal setting was an effective team-building tool for influencing cohesiveness in sport teams.

스포츠상해 예방훈련이 여자고등학교 농구선수들의 리바운드 점프 후 착지 시 지면반력에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 8주간의 전방십자인대 손상예방훈련이 농구 리바운드 점프 후 착지 시 지면반력에 미치는 영향을 규명하는 것이다. 본 연구에 참가한 연구 대상자는 <TEX>$16{\sim}18$</TEX>세 사이의 여자 농구선수 16명이다. 8주간의 전방십자인대 손상예방훈련을 수행할 실험집단 8명과 스포츠상해 예방훈련을 수행하지 않을 통제집단 8명을 무작위로 나눈 후 훈련 전후에 농구 리바운드 점프 후 착지 시 초기피크(%BW), 최대피크(%BW), 충격량(%BW.sec) 및 부하율 (N/sec)을 산출하였다. 본 연구 결과 농구 리바운드 점프 후 착지 시에 8주간의 전방십자인대 손상예방훈련을 받은 실험집단에서 초기피크 값이 감소하였다. 또한, 실험집단에서 지면반력의 충격량과 부하율이 유의하게 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 이는 8주간의 전방십자인대 손상예방 프로그램이 점프 동작에 필요한 하지의 근신경 조직에 유의한 긍정적 영향을 미쳐 효율적으로 착지한 것으로 판단된다. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention program on the ground reaction force during the rebound in female highschool basketball players. Sixteen highschool female basketball players (ages 16 to 18 years) were participated in this study. Eight of these players participated in a 8-week ACL injury prevention program. Before and After ACL injury prevention program, initial peak value(%BW), maximum peak value(%BW), impulse(%BW sec), and loading rate(N/sec) were measured in the players. The experiment group after ACL injury prevention program showed significant decreased initial peak value, impulse, and loading rate.

여자 고등학교 농구 선수들이 리바운드 점프 후 착지할 때 무릎보호대가 무릎의 근신경 생체역학적 변인에 미치는 효과

The purpose of this study were to investigate the effects of knee brace on the knee muscular neuro-biomechanical variables during the rebound in female highschool basketball players. Twelve high school female () basketball players rebound jumped for maximal vertical height to sufficiently stress the anterior cruciate ligament with and without knee brace. Kinematic data were collected to estimate the knee flexion, abduction angles and jump height. The EMG data from the biceps femoris and rectus femoris was used to estimate the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity. Female athletes with knee brace showed more reduced the knee abduction angle and the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity at foot contact phase than without knee brace. In conclusion, Female athletes with brace reduced knee anterior cruciate ligament loads.

Athletes' Perception of Coach Power Use and the Association between Playing Status and Sport Satisfaction

This study explored the influence of athletes' playing status on perceptions of coach power use, and how such behaviors served as predictors of athletes' satisfaction for their sport. Participants included male and female high school football and basketball players who completed measures of their coaches' power use (coercive, referent, legitimate, expert, and reward) and sport satisfaction. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for athlete playing status, whereby starters perceived higher levels of reward power use when compared to non-starters. Likewise, the results indicated that coaches' reward and expert power use were the only significant predictors of athlete satisfaction levels.

The Effect of Direction and Reaction on the Neuromuscular and Biomechanical Characteristics of the Knee during Tasks that Simulate the Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Mechanism

Background Jumping and landing tasks that have a change in direction have been implicated as a mechanism of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury. Yet, to date, neuromuscular and biomechanical research has focused primarily on straight landing tasks during planned jumps. Hypothesis Lateral and reactive jumps increase the neuromuscular and biomechanical demands placed on the anterior cruciate ligament, and women perform these tasks differently from men. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods A total of 18 male and 17 female healthy high school basketball players underwent an analysis of the knee during planned and reactive 2-legged stop-jump tasks in 3 different directions that included novel methodology to incorporate a reactive component. Ground-reaction forces, joint kinematics, joint kinetics, and electromyographic activity were assessed during the tasks. Results Jump direction and task (planned or reactive) significantly affected joint angles, ground-reaction forces, knee joint moments, and proximal anterior tibia shear forces; female players demonstrated different kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic characteristics during these tasks. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Jump direction significantly influenced knee biomechanics, suggesting that lateral jumps are the most dangerous of the stop-jumps. Reactive jumps were also significantly different, suggesting differences between planned laboratory experiments and actual athletic competition. The results of this study indicate that directional and reactive jumps should be included in research methodology and injury-prevention programs.

Gender Differences in the Kinematics of Unanticipated Cutting in Young Athletes

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur at a greater rate in adolescent females compared with males who participate in the same pivoting and jumping sports. The purpose of this study was to compare knee and ankle joint angles between males and females during an unanticipated cutting maneuver. The hypotheses were that female athletes would display increased knee abduction, increased ankle eversion and decreased knee flexion during the unanticipated cutting maneuver compared with males. Fifty-four male and 72 adolescent female middle and high school basketball players volunteered to participate in this study. Knee and ankle kinematics were calculated using three-dimensional motion analysis during a jump-stop unanticipated cut (JSUC) maneuver. Females exhibited greater knee abduction (valgus) angles compared with males. Gender differences were also found in maximum ankle eversion and maximum inversion during stance phase. No differences were found in knee flexion angles at initial contact or maximum. Gender differences in knee and ankle kinematics in the frontal plane during cutting may help explain the gender differences in ACL injury rates. Implementation of dynamic neuromuscular training in young athletes with a focus on frontal plane motion may help prevent ACL injuries and their long-term debilitating effects.

Team Cohesion, Effort, and Objective Individual Performance of High School Basketball Players

Previous research has demonstrated the relationship between high cohesion and optimal team performance. This study investigated the cohesion-individual performance relationship and examined expended effort as a mediator of that relationship. At the middle and end of the regular season, 41 male and 49 female varsity high school basketball players representing eight teams completed measures of group cohesion and perceived expended effort. At the same time intervals, the players’ game statistics were gathered, and coaches completed the expended effort questions regarding their players. Results partially supported the predictive ability of cohesion on objective individual performance and expended effort was a mediator of the cohesion-individual performance relationship at the end of the season. Results are discussed regarding theoretical and measurement issues. Practical implications for coaches and consultants are also provided.

The Muscle Strength and Anterior Tibial Displacement of the Knee in the Female High School Basketball Players

The Muscle Strength and Anterior Tibial Displacement of the Knee in the Female High School Basketball Players

Stress, Coping, and Injuries in Male and Female High School Basketball Players

Past research has identified a positive relationship between life-event stress and football injuries, but research in other sports has yielded more ambiguous results. It seems, then, that the relation of life stress and injury may be sport-specific and that different sports must be studied separately before such a relationship is assumed. The present investigation examined the relationships among life-event stress, coping skills, social support, and injuries of male and female high school basketball players. Contrary to the hypothesis, the number of days missed due to injury was not significantly related to life-event stress. As expected, the injury measure was negatively correlated with both the coping-skills and social-support variables, but these correlations did not reach statistical significance. Recommendations for research are discussed.

STRESS, COPING, AND INJURIES IN MALE AND FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Past research has identified a positive relationship between life-event stress and football injuries, but research in other sports has yielded more ambiguous results. It seems, then, that the relation of life stress and injury may be sport-specific and that different sports must be studied separately before such a relationship is assumed. The present investigation examined the relationships among life-event stress, coping skills, social support, and injuries of male and female high school basketball players. Contrary to the hypothesis, the number of days missed due to injury was not significantly related to life-event stress. As expected, the injury measure was negatively correlated with both the coping-skills and social-support variables, but these correlations did not reach statistical significance. Recommendations for research are discussed.

Effects of Two Semirigid Prophylactic Ankle Stabilizers on Speed, Agility, and Vertical Jump

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two semirigid prophylactic ankle stabilizers on vertical jump, 80-ft sprint, shuttle run, and four-point run performance. Eight male and seven female high school basketball players, who denied prior ankle injury and prophylactic ankle stabilizer experience, completed the four performance events under the conditions of Active Ankle Training Brace, Aircast SportStirrup, and nonbraced control. Data analyses consisted of four 1 × 3 ANOVAs with repeated measures on the independent variable of brace condition. Results of the analysis revealed no significant differences among the experimental conditions for any of the performance events tested. In conclusion, the Active Ankle Training Brace and Aircast SportStirrup did not facilitate or adversely affect performance involving speed, agility, and vertical jump of high school basketball players.

Influence of Gender of Coach on Perceptions of Basketball and Coaching Self-Efficacy and Aspirations of High School Female Basketball Players

The decline in number of female coaches has been a serious concern of women in sport. This study investigated whether gender of coach would influence high school female basketball players specifically in relation to their future coaching self-efficacy, the level of competition at which they might choose to coach, and their ideas about the purposes of basketball. Results revealed that gender of coach did not influence self-efficacy for coaching but did influence level of competition. Perceived playing ability was found to be the strongest predictor of future coaching self-efficacy. In addition, some differences were found between male- and female-coached athletes and between male and female coaches concerning perceived purposes of basketball.

The Relationship of Task and Ego Orientation to Sportsmanship Attitudes and the Perceived Legitimacy of Injurious Acts

Nicholls's theory of achievement motivation (1989) assumes one's goal orientation in an achievement activity is consistent with one's views concerning what is acceptable behavior in that setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of a task and ego goal orientation (i.e., the tendency to focus on personal mastery or beating others, respectively) to sportsmanship attitudes and perceptions of the legitimacy of aggressive acts by testing this assumption in the context of interscholastic sport. Fifty-six male and 67 female high school basketball players completed a three-part questionnaire assessing (a) individual differences in goal orientation, (b) approval of "unsportsmanlike play/cheating," "strategic play," and "sportsmanship behaviors," and (c) subjective ratings of the legitimacy of intentionally injurious behaviors. All measures were basketball-specific. Results indicated a low task orientation and high ego orientation corresponded to an endorsement of unsportsmanlike play/cheating. Ego orientation positively related to the rating of aggressive acts as more legitimate. Gender differences in goal orientation, sportsmanship attitudes, and legitimacy ratings were observed.

A Comparison of Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Laxity Between Female and Male Basketball Players.

In brief: The incidence and severity of knee injuries is greater in female than male basketball players. To gain insight into this phenomenon, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) laxity of 90 noninjured female and male high school basketball players were tested with an arthrometer and compared. With leg flexion of 25° ± 5° and 70° ± 5°, no statistically significant differences were found in ACL laxity, nor were significant right-left differences found. Differences in PCL laxity were not consistent. Thus, inadequate conditioning rather than laxity may be the major factor responsible for the higher incidence of knee injuries in female basketball players. If so, adequate preseason and inseason conditioning programs need to be implemented to correct this deficiency.