Dismissing the idea that basketball is a "contactless" sport: quantifying contacts during professional gameplay.

Introduction: Basketball, introduced by Naismith as a contactless and indoor alternative to sports such as American football, now frequently involves physical contact among players, challenging the traditional notion. Up to date, a thorough understanding of these contacts and their implications remains limited. This study aims to analyze player contacts, embedding it within overall load monitoring to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. Methods: Using a mixed-method design, video-based observations and quantitative analysis were employed to study contact characteristics during ten professional male basketball matches. Fisher exact tests and chi-squared tests (p < .05) were conducted to examine positional variations across different contact variables. Results: A total of 2,069 player contacts were examined, showing centers had the most contacts at 40.5%, followed by power forwards (19.6%), point guards (17.7%), shooting guards (12.9%), and small forwards (9.3%). Notably, half-court defense (46.1%) and set offense (48.9%) emerged as the primary game phases associated with the majority of contacts across all playing positions. Key play actions leading to physical contact included screening/picking (25.7%), box outs (22.9%), and fights for position (FFP) (18%). Post hoc analyses identified significant associations between centers (32.6%, 5.93) and point guards (21.5%, -1.98) during screening/picking maneuvers. Moreover, the torso/upper body (48.1%) and upper extremities (38.2%) were identified as the most affected contact points, while lower extremities and the head/neck exhibited minimal impact. Additionally, 81.4% (n = 1,684) of contacts resulted in kinematic displacement, whereas 18.6% (n = 385) exhibited no change. Post hoc analyses indicated significant associations of physical contacts against opposing counterparts for each playing position. Discussion: Basketball entails frequent physical contacts across all playing positions, with distinct patterns observed for each playing position. Integrating contact monitoring alongside traditional load metrics offers a more comprehensive understanding of physical demands in professional basketball. Practical implications include the developing of tailored training strategies based on playing position-specific contact profiles and recognizing the physiological and biomechanical impacts of contacts. Future research should consider whether the number of contacts between players has increased over the years, and it should acknowledge the impact of player contacts on performance in basketball in order to refine training strategies and enhance player well-being.

A Professional Basketball Player Who Suffered an Open Ankle Dislocation Without an Associated Fracture Achieves His Prior Performance Level Three Months Later.

An ankle dislocation without an accompanying fracture is extremely rare, and an open ankle dislocation is even rarer. Due to its rarity, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategy. A professional basketball player (a 28-year-old male) incurred an open ankle dislocation (with no accompanying fracture) during a basketball game due to plantar flexion and inversion of his ankle during the transition from dashing to stop motion. The same day, an emergency reduction under spinal anesthesia was performed with primary closure of the wound. Considering the complications of infection and decreased ankle range of motion (ROM), primary ligament repair was not performed. He was treated conservatively with cast immobilization for four weeks, and early weight-bearing and ROM exercises were initiated. At six weeks postoperatively, stress radiography did not reveal ankle instability. After three months of conservative treatment, the patient was able to play basketball at his previous performance level. Four weeks of cast immobilization without ligament repair plus early rehabilitation with weight-bearing and ROM exercises allowed for an early return without complications. Even in high-level athletes, open ankle dislocation without an accompanying fracture can be treated adequately with conservative therapy.

The influence of "momentum" on the game outcome while controlling for game types in basketball.

In competitive sports, momentum encompasses positive or negative changes in cognition, physiology, emotions, and behavior caused by sudden or a series of continuous events. Momentum occurring during basketball games leads to significant performance variation regarding positive net points differences for a specific team within a certain period. This study designed a quantitative framework based on two performative dimensions (time constraints and point differentials) to accurately identify momentum in basketball games, and explored the role of momentum in games. We identified 2,083 momentum occurrences in 372 professional elite basketball games. The number of momentum occurrences for winning teams is significantly higher than for losing teams (1.78 ± 0.47 Difference Value, p < 0.001); the correlation between momentum and game outcomes decreased as each quarter progressed. To distinguish the influence of contextual variables on momentum, we divided games into five types based on the team quality differences between the team and the opponent team. The decision tree model shows that first-quarter momentum is critical in games where weaker teams defeat stronger teams. This study provides insights for basketball coaches to formulate game strategies. More importantly, the momentum conceptual framework can help researchers identify and capture momentum, offering inspiration and reference for subsequent research.

A Case of Endoscopic Partial Transverse Process and Sacral Alar Resection for Bertolotti's Syndrome and Continued Basketball Playing Two Years After Surgery.

Bertolotti's syndrome is a syndrome in which the transverse process of the most caudal lumbar vertebra becomes enlarged and articulates with the sacral alar, causing back pain. Here, we report a case of an adolescent basketball player with Bertolotti's syndrome who was unable to resume playing despite conservative treatment and underwent an endoscopic partial transverse process and sacral alar resection. A 16-year-old male basketball player presented to our hospital with a chief complaint of left low back pain during exercise and prolonged sitting for over one month. No obvious neurological abnormality was found. X-rays and CT showed lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, and the left transverse process of the sixth lumbar vertebra articulated with the sacrum and iliac, which was the Castellvi classification IIA. A block injection into the articulated surface produced improvement in pain, but the effect was not sustained. Since the patient was refractory to conservative treatments, such as medication and physiotherapy, surgery was performed. During surgery, the articulated transverse process and sacral alar were partially resected endoscopically. Because of the proximity of the resection site to the S1 nerve root, intraoperative electromyography (free-run EMG) was used to detect nerve root irritation symptoms in real time. The patient had no postoperative complications, his low back pain improved immediately, and he returned to play basketball three months after surgery. One year after surgery, the bone resection site showed gradual bone regeneration, and two years after surgery, the transverse process and sacral alar showed a bony bridge. The transverse process was enlarged compared to immediately after surgery but remained smaller than that before surgery. The patient continued to play basketball for two years after surgery without back pain, and no symptoms due to bone regeneration appeared. In the present case, a partial resection of the transverse process and sacral alar was performed with good results. Because the bone resection site was close to the S1 nerve root, the use of an endoscope and intraoperative free-run EMG allowed for a safer procedure during the bone resection. In addition, the patient did not present with symptoms that would affect his basketball performance, although the bone regenerated and bridging occurred between the transverse process and sacral alar over a two-year postoperative course.

Do Elite Basketball Players Maintain Peak External Demands throughout the Entire Game?

Consideration of workload intensity and peak demands across different periods of basketball games contributes to understanding the external physical requirements of elite basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the average intensity and peak demands encountered by players throughout game quarters. PlayerLoad per minute and PlayerLoad at three different time samples (30 s, 1 min, and 3 min) were used as workload metrics. A total of 14 professional elite male basketball players were monitored during 30 official games to investigate this. A linear mixed model and Cohen's d were employed to identify significant differences and quantify the effect sizes among game quarters. The results showed a significant, moderate effect in PlayerLoad per minute between Q1 vs. Q4, and a small effect between Q2 and Q3 vs. Q4. Furthermore, a small to moderate decline was observed in external peak values for PlayerLoad across game quarters. Specifically,, a significant decrease was found for the 3 min time window between Q1 and other quarters. The findings from the present study suggest that professional basketball players tend to experience fatigue or reduced physical output as the game progresses.

Napping and heart rate variability in elite athletes.

Sleep and autonomic nervous system (ANS) influence each other in a bidirectional fashion. Importantly, it has been proposed that sleep has a beneficial regulatory influence over cardiovascular activity, which is mostly controlled by autonomic regulation through the activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways of the ANS. A well-established method to non-invasively assess cardiac autonomic activity is heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. We aimed to investigate the effect of a 40-min nap opportunity on HRV. Twelve professional basketball players randomly accomplished two conditions: 40-min nap (NAP) and control (CON). Nocturnal sleep and naps were monitored by actigraphic recording and sleep diaries. Total sleep time (TST), time in bed (TIB), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were analyzed. HRV was analyzed in 5-min segments during quiet wake before and after each condition with controlled breathing. Were analysed high (HF) and low frequency (LF) bands, the standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN), HRV index and stress index (SI). Wellness Hooper index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were assessed before and after both conditions. There was no significant difference in TIB, TST, SE, WASO, and VAS between NAP and CON. A significant increase in SDNN, HRV index, and LF and a significant decrease in HF, SI, ESS, and Hooper's stress and fatigue scores were observed from pre- to post-nap. In conclusion, napping reduces sleepiness, stress and fatigue, and might provide an advantage by preparing the body for a much-required sympathetic comeback following peaceful rest.

Emerging athletes' career transitions in professional sport: an existential multi-case perspective.

Introduction: This article examines athletes preparing for, transitioning into, or going through the developmental stages of a professional sports career, referred to as the emerging athlete career transition. This transition includes events such as selections, Junior-to-Senior promotions, contracting, migration, and early exits. The article presents the collective findings of a multi-case study in three professional sports: rugby league, basketball, and boxing. Method: Consistent with pragmatic qualitative research methodology, a stratified data set was collected and analysed, incorporating researcher-practitioner fieldwork, interviews, documents and artefacts for these cases. This article explores unique events and the demographic and cultural implications of navigating emergent transitions along professional sporting pathways in New Zealand. Findings: These findings highlight the importance of building self-efficacy as a pre-condition for coping through preparation and experience. Recommendations: Recommendations include fostering collaborative cultures and authentic support relationships to facilitate better coping alongside athletic and personal development in these high-pressured environments. Furthermore, understanding existential perspectives of meaning, choice, and responsibility provides insights for developing the resources that allow emerging athletes to thrive in life beyond sport.

Acquiring basketball plays through varied speeds of video demonstration: Effect of time of day.

The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of real-time versus slow-motion videos, as a function of time of day, on the acquisition of basketball plays. Fifty first-year sports science students (Mage = 18.82 y, SD = 0.49) were quasi-randomly allocated to either into 0.5 or 1.0 times normal video speed, attending morning (08:00-09:00 h) and late-afternoon (16:00-17:00 h) sessions. After measuring oral temperature (OT) and mood states (MS), participants observed a basketball system's evolution twice and completed two recall tests [game comprehension (GC) and game performance (GP) tests]. Afternoon sessions exacerbated higher OT, higher negative MS (e.g. anxiety and fatigue), and lower positive MS (i.e. vigor) compared to mornings (regardless of video speed). GC and GP were higher in the morning than in the afternoon, with real-time (p < 0.001, both) and slow-motion videos (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). GC and GP were higher with slow-motion videos compared to real-time videos in morning and afternoon sessions (p < 0.01, both). The findings highlight the morning's superiority in the acquisition of motor knowledge from videos, due to mood disturbances and lower arousal levels. Additionally, the findings encourage teachers/coaches to communicate basketball plays through slow-motion videos, particularly in the morning.

Multiple object tracking training affects the executive function in basketball players: the role of instant feedback.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate the potential impact of eight sessions of Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) training on the executive function in basketball players. The purpose of the study was primarily to observe the effects of MOT training with and without feedback on the executive function of basketball players. METHODS: A sample of fifty-eight participants was selected from college students enrolled in a university basketball special selection class. The participants were divided into three equal groups. The first group received MOT training with instant feedback and was called feedback group, the second group received MOT training without instant feedback and was called no feedback group, and the third group did not receive any intervention and was called control group. RESULTS: After eight sessions of MOT training, feedback group demonstrated the best performance in the Go/No-go task and the 3-back task. After eight sessions of MOT training, there was no significant difference in test scores on the Stroop task between the feedback and no feedback groups. There was also no significant difference in test scores between the feedback and no feedback groups on the 2-back task after eight sessions of MOT training. The findings of this study suggest that MOT training can effectively enhance the executive function of basketball players. CONCLUSIONS: MOT training was found to enhance the executive function of basketball players, irrespective of whether they received instant feedback. However, the feedback group exhibited superior improvements in the Go/No-go task and the 3-back task.

Effects of Fatigue and Unanticipated Factors on Knee Joint Biomechanics in Female Basketball Players during Cutting.

(1) This study examined the impact of fatigue and unanticipated factors on knee biomechanics during sidestep cutting and lateral shuffling in female basketball players, assessing the potential for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. (2) Twenty-four female basketball players underwent fatigue induction and unanticipated change of direction tests, and kinematic and kinetic parameters were collected before and after fatigue with a Vicon motion capture system and Kistler ground reaction force (GRF) sensor. (3) Analysis using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant interaction between fatigue and unanticipated factors on joint kinematics and kinetics. Unanticipated conditions significantly increased the knee joint flexion and extension angle (p < 0.01), decreased the knee flexion moment under anticipated conditions, and increased the knee valgus moment after fatigue (p ≤ 0.05). One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping (SPM1d) results indicated significant differences in GRF during sidestep cutting and knee inversion and rotation moments during lateral shuffling post-fatigue. (4) Unanticipated factors had a greater impact on knee load patterns, raising ACL injury risk. Fatigue and unanticipated factors were independent risk factors and should be considered separately in training programs to prevent lower limb injuries.

Enhancing University Students' Motivation in Basketball Courses through Tactical Games Model.

As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, universities face challenges such as diminished student physical fitness and a decreased interest in physical education courses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the tactical games model (TGM) in enhancing university students' motivation in basketball courses, using a comparison control group taught using the direct instruction model (DIM). Additionally, this research delves into the motivational dynamics explained by self-determination theory, aiming to identify key factors influencing student engagement and participation. A total of 141 sophomore university students were analyzed and divided into an experimental group (68 students) and a control group (73 students). The participants engaged in an 8-week teaching intervention program. To assess motivation, the Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II) was administered both before the start and one week after the conclusion of the intervention. Differences in motivation and subscale scores between the TGM and DIM groups were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results of the study demonstrated that the TGM significantly enhanced university students' motivation (SDI: F = 6.949; p = 0.009; η² = 0.049). Furthermore, TGM enhanced scores on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation sub-scales more effectively than the DIM. These findings advocate for the adoption of TGM by university instructors as a potent tool to elevate student motivation, emphasizing the importance of focusing on both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational elements within physical education programs.

Sports Injuries in Basketball Players: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: The objective of this systematic review was to collect relevant data in the available contemporary studies about sports injuries of basketball players and explain differences in sports injuries relative to gender, location, sport, and position on the court; (2) Methods: The papers were searched digitally using PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases, from 1990 to 2024; (3) Results: The most frequent severe injuries for both genders are knee and ankle injuries and the most frequent forms of injury are ankle sprain and ligament strain. The most frequent injuries occur during running and after contact with the ball. Shooting guards sustain the highest injury rate followed by centers and point guards, while guards have the highest rate of adductor muscle injury; and (4) Conclusions: Studies indicate that ankle and knee injuries are prevalent among basketball players, with ankle sprains being particularly prevalent. Knee injuries are more common in female basketball players, including ACL injuries. Various factors contribute to injuries, including the biomechanics of jumping, landing, sudden changes in direction, and the physical demands placed on the body during the game.

The effect of post-traumatic chondropathy on the functional state of knee joints in athletes during the basketball game.

The relevance of the study is conditioned upon the widespread occurrence of knee injuries in athletes when playing basketball, in particular, damage to the cartilage system of the knee joint. Such a feature of injury causes the fact that basketball players may develop post-traumatic chondropathy with a subsequent change in the functional state of knee joints, which is inextricably linked with a decrease in the quality of life, the occurrence of pain syndrome, shortening of career duration, an increased risk of surgical interventions, and possible disability in the long-term perspective. This paper is aimed at uncovering modern ideas about the impact of post-traumatic chondropathy on the functional state of knee joints in athletes during basketball games. The method for this paper was the search for relevant studies concerning the formulated problem, the collection of information and drawing conclusions. Given the character of the basketball game, knee injuries, both acute and chronic, are widespread among athletes of this sport, including cartilaginous defects of the knee joint, which often occur in athletes. The materials of the paper are of practical value for sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists, traumatologists since it presents the main mechanisms of knee injuries in athletes when playing basketball and the possible consequences of these injuries in the long term.

Assessing the Post-Activation Performance Enhancement of Upper Limbs in Basketball Athletes: A Sensor-Based Study of Rapid Stretch Compound and Blood Flow Restriction Training.

OBJECTIVE: This study introduces a novel methodology combining rapid stretch compound training with blood flow restriction (BFR) to investigate post activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in basketball players, a field that has been predominantly explored for lower limbs. We aimed to assess the efficacy of this combined approach on upper limb muscle performance in athletes. METHODS: We employed a randomized, self-controlled crossover trial with ten male basketball players. The bench press throw (BPT) served as the primary metric, with players undergoing four interventions post-baseline: (1) STR-plyometric training; (2) BFR-blood flow restriction; (3) COMB-STR integrated with BFR; and (4) CON-control. Innovatively, we utilized an intelligent tracking sensor to precisely measure peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV), mean power (MP), and mean velocity (MV) at 4, 8, and 12 min post-intervention, providing a detailed temporal analysis of PAPE. RESULTS: The COMB intervention demonstrated superior PAPE effects at 4 min, significantly outperforming STR and BFR alone and the control group across all measured indices (p < 0.05). Notably, the COMB group maintained these improvements for PV, PP, and H up to 12 min post-intervention, suggesting a prolonged effect. CONCLUSION: (1) The COMB stimulation has been shown to successfully induce PAPE more effectively than STR and BFR modality alone. (2) It appears that the optimal effects of PAPE are achieved within 4 min of exercising under this COMB. By the 12 min mark, only the COMB group continued to show significant improvements in PV, PP, and H compared to both the baseline and the CON group, while the effects in the STR and BFR groups further diminished. This suggests that although the PAPE effect is maintained over time, its optimal performance may peak at the 4 min mark and then gradually weaken as time progresses.

Improving the Jump Shots of U12 Junior Basketball Players by Implementing a Combined Program of Plyometric and Coordination Exercises Using MyVert Technology.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the implementation of an experimental program with combined plyometric and coordination exercises for a time interval of 6 months aimed at improving the jump shots of U12 junior players through the use of information technologies. One hundred seventeen female basketball players, aged between 10 and 12 years (U12), participated in this study. The study subjects were divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG), with 60 (51.3%) subjects, and the control group (CG), with 57 subjects (48.7%). The 6-month experiment program implemented in the experimental group included exercises that combined coordination exercises with plyometric exercises in the execution of throwing skills and skills specific to the basketball game by using the MyVert portable smart sensor. This study included an initial test and a final test, in which three motor tests adapted to the specifics of the basketball game were applied in order to evaluate jump shots: a throw-after-step test, a standing shot test and a shot-after-dribbling test. Only the results of the experimental group showed statistically significant progress (p < 0.05) between the final and initial testing in all three motor tests for the following parameters: maximum jump height (cm), average jump height (cm), power (watts/kg) and successful shots (no). The gains of the control group were not statistically significant in any test. It should be noted that the number of throws scored in the basket of the experimental group increased significantly, a fact highlighted by the very large size of Cohen's value > 3 in all the tests of this study. The results of the experimental group as a result of the implementation of the experimental training program using MyVert technology were superior to the results of the control group. The practical implications of the present study will contribute to the optimization of the athletes' training methodology in order to improve the physical and technical levels in relation to the peculiarities of age and training level.

Study on the Impact of Implementing an Exercise Program Using Fitlight Technology for the Development of Upper Limb Coordinative Abilities in Basketball Players.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a basketball-specific exercise program using Fitlight technology on the coordinative abilities (reactive coordination, reactive reaction time, and reactive movement combination capacity) of U14 and U16 junior basketball players. This study included 70 male basketball players, 36 subjects U14 and 34 subjects U16, divided into two equal groups for each age category: the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). This study included an initial and a final test, between which, training was conducted over a period of 18 weeks. For the EG, the program aimed to develop coordinative abilities through an experimental program that utilized Fitlight technology, while the control groups underwent an identically timed program, but their training did not include the use of technology. Four tests were adapted and applied: the Reactive Reaction Test, Choice Reactive Reaction Test, Reactive Hand-Eye Coordination Test, and a test to evaluate the reactive capacity for combining movements. The results of this study showed statistically significant progress between the initial and final tests for the experimental group, p < 0.05. The Cohen's d values for the experimental groups were above 0.8, indicating a very large effect size, while for the control group, these values were small to medium. The comparative analysis of the experimental groups U14 and U16 and control groups shows statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental groups U14 and U16. This study highlights the effectiveness of implementing specific training programs that use modern technologies in developing coordinative abilities in the training and evaluation process of junior basketball players.

Basketball technique action recognition using 3D convolutional neural networks.

This research investigates the recognition of basketball techniques actions through the implementation of three-dimensional (3D) Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), aiming to enhance the accurate and automated identification of various actions in basketball games. Initially, basketball action sequences are extracted from publicly available basketball action datasets, followed by data preprocessing, including image sampling, data augmentation, and label processing. Subsequently, a novel action recognition model is proposed, combining 3D convolutions and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to model temporal features and capture the spatiotemporal relationships and temporal information of actions. This facilitates the facilitating automatic learning of the spatiotemporal features associated with basketball actions. The model's performance and robustness are further improved through the adoption of optimization algorithms, such as adaptive learning rate adjustment and regularization. The efficacy of the proposed method is verified through experiments conducted on three publicly available basketball action datasets: NTURGB + D, Basketball-Action-Dataset, and B3D Dataset. The results indicate that this approach achieves outstanding performance in basketball technique action recognition tasks across different datasets compared to two common traditional methods. Specifically, when compared to the frame difference-based method, this model exhibits a significant accuracy improvement of 15.1%. When compared to the optical flow-based method, this model demonstrates a substantial accuracy improvement of 12.4%. Moreover, this method showcases strong robustness, accurately recognizing actions under diverse lighting conditions and scenes, achieving an average accuracy of 93.1%. The research demonstrates that the method reported here effectively captures the spatiotemporal relationships of basketball actions, thereby providing reliable technical assessment tools for basketball coaches and players.

The Impact of Wrist Fractures on Long-Term Basketball Performance.

Background: Wrist joint fractures may present challenging obstacles for the rehabilitating athlete upon return to play. Although current literature has examined the effects of specific injuries to the upper extremity for basketball athletes, little is known about long-term performance outcomes following wrist joint fractures. Methods: Review of all National Basketball Association players who sustained wrist joint fractures was conducted. Player characteristics, preinjury and postinjury performance, and overall efficiency were analyzed. Results: A total of 31 players were deemed appropriate for inclusion, with an average age of 26.2 ± 4.3 years and a mean of 5.2 ± 3.6 years played before injury and 4.1 ± 3.1 years played upon return. Operative management was pursued in 48.4% of players. Players demonstrated a significant decrease in win shares before injury (mean: 24.3 ± 31.5) compared to after return from injury (mean: 9.6 ± 19.6) (p < 0.032). Multivariate regression demonstrated that increased points per game before injury (standardized ß: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-8.5, p < 0.011) and increased win shares before injury (ß: 1.0; 95% CI: 1.4-9.5, p < 0.001) were both independently predictive with increased win shares after return to play. Player position, age, management type, and all other statistics were not significantly associated with any other findings upon return. Conclusion: Overall efficiency following return to play in the setting of basketball-associated wrist joint fractures appears to be decreased in athletes. However, preinjury performance as captured through win share efficiency and points per game appears to be predictive of increased productivity after successful return.

Effects of Ankle Compression Garments on Fatigue and Single-Leg Balance in Collegiate Basketball Players.

Basketball players are prone to ankle injuries. It is unclear if wearing ankle compression garments (CGs) can enhance balance control and time to fatigue in those athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of ankle CGs on both time to fatigue and single-leg balance. Sixteen Division II (D2) collegiate basketball players participated in the study. The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) was used to assess ankle stability. Fatigue was induced through deficit heel raises, and single-leg balance was assessed with the Athletic Single Leg Stability Test (ASLST) of the Biodex Balance System. Ten out of 16 (62.5%) basketball players were classified as having chronic ankle instability (CAI). Wearing CGs did not significantly prolong the time to fatigue (P = .774), and participants with CAI and without CAI had a similar time to fatigue (P = .958). In addition, wearing CGs significantly worsened single-leg balance before fatigue (P = .021), but enhanced balance control after fatigue (P = .027). Results indicate a strong prevalence of CAI in collegiate basketball players, and wearing CGs may not be able to enhance single-leg balance before fatigue. Although participants who wore CGs did not significantly increase their time to fatigue, their single-leg balance significantly improved after fatigue. This finding suggests wearing ankle CGs may have the potential to remediate the impact of fatigue on balance control. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to further examine the impact of wearing ankle CGs on fatigue and single-leg balance.

Epidemiology of Injuries Among National Basketball Association Players: 2013-2014 Through 2018-2019.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the epidemiology of injuries to athletes is essential to informing injury prevention efforts. HYPOTHESIS: The incidence and impact of basketball-related injuries among National Basketball Association (NBA) players from 2013-2014 through 2018-2019 is relatively stable over time. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Injuries from 2013-2014 through 2018-2019 were analyzed using the NBA Injury and Illness Database from an electronic medical record system. Descriptive statistics were calculated for injuries by season, game-loss, and onset. Incidence rates were estimated using Poisson models and linear trend tests. RESULTS: Between 552 and 606 players participated in ≥1 game per season during the study. Annual injury incidence ranged from 1550 to 1892, with 33.6% to 38.5% resulting in a missed NBA game. Game-loss injury rates ranged from 5.6 to 7.0 injuries per 10,000 player-minutes from 2014-2015 through 2018-2019 (P = 0.19); the rate was lower in 2013-2014 (5.0 injuries per 10,000 player-minutes), partly due to increased preseason injury rates and transition of reporting processes. The 6-year game-loss injury rate in preseason and regular season games was 6.9 (95% CI 6.0, 8.0) and 6.2 (95% CI 6.0, 6.5) injuries per 10,000 player-minutes; the rate in playoff games was lower (P < 0.01) at 2.8 (95% CI 2.2, 3.6). Most (73%) game-loss injuries had acute onset; 44.4% to 52.5% of these involved contact with another player. CONCLUSION: From 2013-2014 through 2018-2019, over one-third of injuries resulted in missed NBA games, with highest rates of game-loss injuries in preseason games and lowest rates in playoff games. Most game-loss injuries had acute onset, and half of those involved contact with another player. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings - through reliable data reporting by team medical staff in an audited system - can guide evidence-based injury reduction strategies and inform player health priorities.