Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the free-throw percentage, joint position sense, and muscle torque in professional basketball players.
Methods: Eleven professional basketball players participated in the study, with each subject acting as their own internal control by using the non-dominant side. Knee and shoulder joint of the players were evaluated bilaterally. Flexion and extension peak torque of the knee were evaluated isokinetically system. In addition flexion/abduction/external rotation (F/ABD/ER) and extension/adduction/ internal rotation (E/ADD/IR) diagonal pattern peak torque of the shoulder were measured. The joint position sense of both knees and shoulders were evaluated using an active angle reproduction. Thirty, 45, 60 and 75° target angles were used for knee and 160, 135, and 120° target angles were used shoulder. The free-throw percentage of the players for 40∼matches in the 2009–2010 season was taken from the Turkish Basketball League official website. The relationship between the peak torque of the muscles, joint position sense, and the free-throw percentage was evaluated.
Results: There were no significant differences in the peak torques of the knee and shoulder muscles and joint position sense between the dominant and non-dominant sides (p> 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the free-throw percentage and the peak torque of the shoulder muscles during the F/ABD/ER pattern at 60°/s in the dominant side of the players. There was a borderline trend to significance between the free-throw percentage and the shoulder joint position sense (eyes-closed and at 160°) in the dominant side. There was a borderline significant correlation between the free-throw percentage and the knee joint position sense (eyes-open and at 75°) in the dominant side.
Conclusions: The effect of proprioceptive and strengthening exercises on the free-throw percentage is still unknown. Further comprehensive studies are warranted to analyze the effect of proprioceptive and strengthening exercises on the free-throw percentage in elite basketball players.