Changes of functional outcomes of foam rolling, core stability, flexibility and strength exercises in elite young basketball players

Abstract

Sports injuries in young athletes are a public health issue which deserves special attention. Young athletes should have proper background of fundamental movements to stay injury free and develop performance and skills needed form the specific sport. Effective prevention can be achieved with training programs originating from the field of physiotherapy and medicine [1].Research aim - to assess functional outcomes of foam rolling, core stability, flexibility and strength exercises of elite young basketball players. Methods. We have investigated 31 (16 girls and 15 boys) young most talented Lithuanian basketball players selected by Lithuanian Basketball Federation for project “Talent generation 2015”. The average age of girls was 15.4±0.27 years, weight – 64.9±7.11kg, height 176±6.58 cm, BMI 20.65±0.66 kg/m2. The average age of boys was 15.3±0.29 years, weight 67.2±11.8 kg, height 183.6±9.74cm, BMI 19.77±1.85 kg/m2. The duration of study was five months. During this period players had six intensive training weekends. The personalized program for each participant was created and consisted of foam rolling, core stability, flexibility and strength exercises. The participants were teached how to perfome exercices by the team physiotherapist. Functional outcomes were assessed by: Upper (UQYBT) and lower (LQYBT) quarter Y balance tests [4], The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) [3], Functional Movement Screen (FMS) [2], an isokinetic dynamometry (The Biodex System 4 Pro) at 60 and 180°s/n. [5]. Differences were assessed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. The degree of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The results are presented in means ± standard deviation. Results. The composite score of UQ-YBT increased in girls: right arm stability mean[...].