Detection of Neuromuscular Deficits in Uninjured Youth Basketball Players
Detection of Neuromuscular Deficits in Uninjured Youth Basketball Players
Basketball is an impact, coordination-opposition sport with continuous contact among players
 and it is considered a sport of medium-high injury incidence. Players are force to have a
 physical condition appropriate to their practice and the demand to which they must respond
 due to the intensity of the efforts this sport requires. In order to achieve this, it is
 necessary to establish an evaluation protocol that allows the detection of functional
 deficiencies, to guide and conduct in a specific and early way every moment of players'
 health and growth.

 The purpose of this study is to evaluate and detect federated youth basketball players' (U12
 - U17) neuromuscular deficiencies in mobility, stability and landing technique in static and
 dynamic situations to simulate all the most important actions of basketball demands.
It is intended that the specific detection and individualized approach to neuromuscular
 deficiencies will decrease the prevalence of injuries and accidents and therefore, the
 performance of training basketball players will be improved. The purpose of this study was to
 evaluate and detect federated youth basketball players' (under 12 years until under 17 years)
 neuromuscular deficits in mobility, stability and landing technique in static and dynamic
 situations similar to simulate the most important actions of basketball demands.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to May 2019. A total of 778
 basketball players were selected for the present study. In order to evaluate this specific
 tests and trials will be carried out on different teams from various clubs in the categories
 from under 12 years (U12) to under 17 (U17), both male and female. The evaluations will
 consist of a static physical measures and a dynamic one. These will be conducted throughout
 the season. Inclusion criteria were: age > 12 years and <18 years at testing, and to be
 actively competing during the study. Subjects were excluded if they had suffered any injury
 in lower limbs before the screening; presented any injury (overuse or acute) at the time of
 testing or if they suffered any oncological, psychological and/or psychiatric illnesses, or
 if they did not attend on the day of the assessment. The main outcomes were ankle joint
 dorsiflexion was analyzed with Weight-bearing Dorsiflexion Test; monopodial ankle stability
 was analyzed with Single Leg Balance Test. Dynamic lower extremity valgus was analyzed with
 Single Leg Squat Test, Modified Tuck Jump Test, Single Leg Squat Test and Hurdle Step Test
 were used to evaluate also Lumbopelvic stability and dynamic postural control. Neuromuscular
 deficits during continuous tuck jumps, landing technique flaws and Plyometric Technique were
 analyzed with Modified Tuck Jump Test. All these tests are scientifically validated for this
 purpose. All players were familiar with the procedures of all test before. Testing was
 performed in the same day, in the same order, at the same time of the day (18:00-20:00).
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age ≥ 12 years and <18 years at testing.

 -  To be actively competing during the study.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Had suffered any injury in lower limbs before the screening.

 -  Presented any injury (overuse or acute) at the time of testing.

 -  Psychological or psychiatric diseases diagnosed.

 -  Oncological diseases diagnosed.

 -  Did not attend on the day of the assessment.