Studia Kinanthropologica

Studia Kinanthropologica 2017, 18(1):19-32

Changes in muscular and neuromuscular functions in U17 and U19 male basketball players following specific fatigue protocol

M. Lehnert^*, K. Hůlka, Z. Xaverová, E. Maixnerová, P. Milichová, P. Reich

Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Fakulta tělesné kultury, Katedra sportu

Insufficient neuromuscular control is considered a risk factor of non-contact injuries. The aim of the present study is to examine the acute effects of a basketball-specific fatigue protocol (BUP28) on muscular and neuromuscular functions in U17 and U19 basketball players and to compare the indicators between the two categories. The assumption of the research is that specific fatigue in adolescent basketball players has a negative effect on the monitored characteristics. The study involved a total of 11 U17 players (n = 11; age = 16.1 ± 0.4 years; body height = 185.26 ± 0.51 cm, body weight = 74.55 ± 9.97 kg), and 18 U19 players (n = 18; age = 17.71 ± 0.51 years; body height = 188.84 ± 7.51 cm, body weight = 79.12 ± 8.27 kg). Hamstring and quadriceps strength in the dominant (DLL) and non-dominant (NLL) lower limb was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. Peak torque (PT) of knee joint flexors and extensors was measured and functional (H/QF U N K ) and conventional (H/QCON V ) ratio of their muscle strength calculated. After BUP28 in both groups of U17 and U19, PT in DLL quadriceps in concentric action at angular velocity of 60°/s (p = 0.039, d = 0.57, p = 0.047, d = 0.51) and PT in hamstrings in eccentric action at angular velocity of 60°/s (p = 0.022, d = 0.52, p = 0.002, d = 0.88) was compromised. In addition, in the group of U17, PT in NLL hamstrings in concentric action at angular velocity of 180°/s (p = 0.004, d = 0.83) and in the group of U19 in eccentric action at angular velocity of 60°/s (p = 0.010, d = 0.80) also in NLL was compromised. A significant difference was observed between U17 and U19 players in average PT values in both DLL and NLL quadriceps before and after BUP28 (except PT in DLL at angular velocity of 180°/s before BUP28) and in H/QF U N K in NLL at 60°/s before and after BUP28 and at 180°/s before BUP28. The research suggested a trend of a greater decrease in muscle strength in the group of U17 players than in the group of U19 players. The changes in the monitored parameters did not unequivocally confirm an increased risk of lower limb injury as a result of worsened muscular and neuromuscular functions.

Keywords: ACL; fatigue; muscle strength; isokinetic; knee joint

Published: March 30, 2017  Show citation