Lower Extremity Strength and Mobility in Division I Male Basketball Players Across Vertical Jump Performance T, Harhash., J, Hirsch., D, Saldutti., L, Bernardi., D. Melgar., R, Gerland., J, Ghigiarelli., A, Gonzalez., B, Deveaux., K, Shaver., K, Sell. Human Performance Laboratory; Department of Allied Health and Kinesiology; Hofstra University; Hempstead, NY; Department of Athletics, Hofstra University; Hempstead, NY
INTRODUCTION Vertical jump(VJ) is a foundational movement pattern, commonly used in basketball players that involves coordinated motor control throughout the kinetic chain; for example, triple extension through the ankle, knee, and hip joints is required for optimal force transfer [1,2,6]. Adequate joint mobility, particularly large ankle joint range of motion(ROM), plays an important role in ensuring pain free and fluid movement, while also being crucial for optimal biochemicals in sports performance[4,5]. Furthermore, it was found in soccer athletes that low hip adductor flexibility and strength were associated with an increased risk of injury [3]. Previous literature has investigated VJ and lower extremity(LE) strength and mobility individually in sports. However, the literature regarding the relationship between VJ performance and measurements of lower extremity strength and mobility are inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze hip and ankle strength and mobility measures among collegiate male basketball players by comparing those with higher and lower VJ performance.
METHODS Ten Division I male basketball players volunteered to participate in the study. Prior to study initiation, Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, along with approval form team coaches and athletic trainers. Additionally, Participants completed an informed consent and medical health history prior to assessment. Certified strength and conditioning coaches administered assessments following standardized approaches.
RESULTS
CONCLUSION
Comparing Top VJ performers to the Bottom VJ performers indicated: •Lower left leg hip ROM •Higher right leg ROM •Higher left/right ankle mobility •Higher relative right/left leg ABD strength •Higher relative right/left leg ADD strength •Less reported injuries from the past 12 months Both groups scored below ACSM general population norm values for ankle ROM(45-70°) and hip ROM(75-105°). A moderately negative correlation was found between VJ and Hip ADD strength(R: r=-0.61, L: r=-0.56). No significant correlations were found between other assessments and athletic performance . Table 1: Variability Between Top 5 Vertical Jump Performers and Bottom 5 Vertical Jump Performers in Vertical Jump, Hip Range Of Motion, Ankle Mobility, Hip strength, and Injury Reports
Vertical Jump(in) Right Hip Range of Motion Left Hip Range of Motion Right Ankle Mobility Left Ankle Mobility Right Hip Adduction Strength(% Bodyweight)
Top 5 Vertical Jump Performers 27.7±2.0 in 73.4±5.0° 69.4±6.6° 35.4±2.4° 36.8±4.1° 76.0±35.1 kg
Bottom 5 Vertical Jump Performers 22.4±1.0 in 70.2±10.6° 73.0±7.0° 33.7±4.1° 33.5±2.8° 94.4±32.1 kg
Left Hip Adduction Strength(% Bodyweight)
71.9±17.6 kg
89.1±31.7 kg
Right Hip Abduction Strength (% Bodyweight) 75.7±7.9 kg Left Hip Abduction Strength(% Bodyweight) 66.0±12.2 kg Reported Injuries from the past 12 months 20%
84.5±27.0 kg 78.3±20.2 kg 60%
Players were assessed just prior to preseason by conducting multiple tests of strength, mobility, and power. Athletes were divided into two groups based on VJ performance which were comprised of the top 5 performers (T; 20.8 ± 2.0 years, 186.4 ± 7.4 cm, 79.6 ± 8.6 kg; VJ: 70.4 ± 6.9 cm) and the bottom 5 performers (B; 20.0 ± 1.6 years, 197.4 ± 9.9 cm, 94.2.6 ± 19.7 kg; VJ: 56.9 ± 2.5 cm). Assessments completed included the following: •VJ was measured using countermovement jump on jump mat •Hip ROM was measured as sum of internal and external rotation of each limb, using goniometer •Ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using a clinometer appliance •Hip abduction (ABD) and adduction (ADD) strength was measured using a unilateral dynamometer, and calculated relative to body weight
In conclusion, it is difficult to draw any direct inferences and associations between VJ and LE strength and mobility in Division I Men's Basketball Players. The trends observed were the T group having higher right leg ROM, ankle MOB, and greater hip strength then the B group. It is also possible that the greater presence of recent LE injury in the B group may have impacted the findings of this study. Both groups however scored below the ACSM norms for general population ankle MOB and hip ROM. A moderately negative correlation was found between VJ and Hip ADD across both groups that participated in the study. No other statistically significant findings were found. However, further research is necessary to continue investigating the relationship between VJ and LE mobility and strength.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION While training men’s college basketball players, the results suggest: Ø VJ training is not significantly affected by other factors, such as LE mobility and strength. Ø Practitioners should focus more on programming specifically for power, by training strength in conjunction with speed, as needed for the vertical jump movement pattern. Ø Strength and Conditioning coaches should include programming of mobility and strength for decreased risk and increased sports performance.
REFRENCES 1. Gummelt, D. (2015). The Impact of Flexibility Training on Performance. https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/5598/the-impactof-flexibility-training-on-performance 2. Hrysomallis, Con. Hip Adductors' Strength, Flexibility, and Injury Risk. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 23(5):p 1514-1517, August 2009. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a3c6c4 httpps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19620912/ 3. Ziv, G., Lidor, R. Physical Attributes, Physiological Characteristics, On-Court Performances and Nutritional Strategies of Female and Male Basketball Players. Sports Med 39, 547–568 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200939070-00003. 4. Rodríguez-Rosell, David; Mora-Custodio, Ricardo; Franco-Márquez, Felipe; Yáñez-García, Juan M.; González-Badillo, Juan J.. Traditional vs. Sport-Specific Vertical Jump Tests: Reliability, Validity, and Relationship With the Legs Strength and Sprint Performance in Adult and Teen Soccer and Basketball Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 31(1):p 196-206, January 2017. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001476 5. Waller, Mike, Matt Gersick, and Dustin Holman. "Various jump training styles for improvement of vertical jump performance." Strength & Conditioning Journal 35.1 (2013): 82-89 6. Panoutsakopoulos, Vassilios, et al. "The ankle joint range of motion and its effect on squat jump performance with and without arm swing in adolescent female volleyball players." Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology 6.1 (2021): 14
All players were cleared for testing by the team physician and had no current LE injury prior to participation. Players self-reported LE injuries in the prior 12 months. Descriptive statistics were calculated as mean ± standard deviation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Photo by Evan Brenstein/ Hofstra Athletics
We would like to thank the Hofstra University Men's Basketball players and coaches for their participation in this research and for all the had work they invest into their training and academic work. Along with Hofstra Sports Medicine staff for all the work they provide in taking care of the student athletes