Investigation of Injury Risk Factors in Adolescent Basketball Players

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that increase the risk of injury in adolescent basketball players.

Materials and Methods: A total of 43 volunteer basketball players with a mean age of 12.7 ± 1.5 years participated in the study. The balance of the participants was evaluated by means of the Y-Balance balance test, trunk muscles endurance by static and dynamic curl-up and prone plank tests. Q angles, hip external and internal rotations, abduction degrees were measured with goniometer. Functional movement screen test for injury risk factor detection was applied. Regression analysis was used to analyse the data.

Result: Participants were divided into two groups as those with functional movement screen total score of 14 or less and those with a score more than 14. Assessing the differences between the two groups, Y-balance for anterior right (p=0.046), posterolateral left (p=0.021) and posterolateral right (p=0.040); prone plank time (p=0.005) and age (p=0.023) were found statistically significantly different. According to the results of the regression analysis, higher age (p=0.028), increased prone plank time (p=0.010), increase in the reach of the posterolateral component of the Y-Balance (right p=0.049; left p=0.030) reduce the injury risk. Effect of other factors on injury risk were not determined (p> 0.05).

Conclusion: Lower age in adolescent basketball players was associated with higher injury risk. High core endurance and high posterolateral extension distance, which is one of the determining parameters of dynamic balance, appeared to lower the injury risk.

Cite this article as: Unver F, Tekin E, Uludag V, Senol H. Investigation of injury risk factors in adolescent basketball players. Turk J Sports Med. 2020;55(4):300-7.

There is no conflict of interest or funding in this article.