The Relationship among anthropometric measurements, range of motion, isometric strength and free throw in elite basketball players

VIII. ABSTRACT THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS, RANGE OF MOTION, ISOMETRIC STRENGTH AND FREE THROW IN ELITE BASKETBALL PLAYERS The morphology is the important factor that affects both the human motion and the sportive performance. This study was designed to examine the relationship among the antropometric measurements, range of motion (ROM), isometric strenghth of upper extremity and free throw. 1 5 males and 25 females (n=40) league basketball players in Çukurova region volunteered to be subjects for this investigation. The mean age of male was 21 ± 4.44 SD and that of female was 19 ± 2.07 SD. Stature was measured using a movable antropometer. Weigth was measured with electronic scala. The length measurement of clavicle was made with meter stick. Sliding caliper was used for the measurement of upper ekstremity segment length. Range of motion was measured goniometrically. The measurement of isometric strength was made using a hand-grip dynamometer. Etiskol Free Throw Shot test was used for the determination of free throw numbers. All measurements repeated three times and the average was recorded. A data form was completed by the players in order to gather an information about personel qualification. Data were analyzed with three-way [gender(male,female) x position(guard,forward and center) x scapular type ( convex, concave and straight)] between-repeated measures ANOVA and step-wise multiple regression followed by nonparametric Spearman R using complete statistical system (CSS) program. Tukey-HSD (for unequal size samples) post hoc analyses were used to examine pairwise comparisons. For all analyses a- level was set at 0.05. Stature was 1.87 ± 0.88 cm for male and 1.72 ± 0.51 cm for female. There was no significant intraindividual difference in upper extremity segment lenghts (P>0.05). By taking right side as a reference, the mean lenghts were as follows: XIIIThe measurements of male; the clavicular length =16.2 ± 070 cm, shoulder-elbow lenght = 34 ± 2.02 cm, elbow-wrist length = 24.9 ± 1.63 cm and hand length = 14.7 ± 1.21 cm. The measurements of female; clavicular length =15.1 ± 080 cm, shoulder-elbow lenght = 30.6 ± 1.36 cm, elbow- wrist length = 22 ± 1.33 cm and hand length = 13.6 ± 0.91 cm. Three-way ANOVA showed that Gender was the main effect for the segment lengths (P=0.000063). There was significant interaction between gender and position (P=0.004). ROM and isometric strength of male were significantly greater than that of female (P=0. 003692). The scapular type was the highly significant main effect for the abduction of arm and the movements of scapulae (P= 0.000). Multiple regression indicated that isometric strenght was related to ROM. We also found that the significant positive relationship between free throw and age (r=0.48 and P<0.01) and training duration (r=0.46 and PO.01). There was the significant negative relationship between free throw and ROM of shoulder joint in flexion (r= -0.37 and P<0.01). However, the significant positive relationship between free throw and isometric strenght in flexion of shoulder joint. Based on these findings, we can draw conclusion that a) the body shape of the basketball players differ from the general society, b) Gender is significant main effect for stature, weight, upper extremity segment lenghts, ROM and isometric strength, c) scapular movements accompany on elevation of the arm and d) the force summation and flattening of the arc of the free throw are realized spontaneously by the experienced basketball players. XIVIX. KEYWORDS Voluntary motion :Voluntarly change of position in relation to any part of body Range of motion (ROM) : The achievable angle arising between voluntary motion. Carrying angle : The deviation between the axes of the humerus and forearm. Free throw : The direct throwing action of forward player throwing the ball to the basket. Isometric strength : The strength rising as a result of isometric contraction of the muscle. XV