Proprioception, Physical Performance, and Passing Accuracy in Adolescent Basketball Players
Condition: Basketball Players
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The relationship between elbow proprioception, upper extremity physical performance, and
      passing accuracy in adolescent basketball players will be explored.
    

Detailed description: 
      Proprioception is defined as transmitting the sense of the position of our body, interpreting
      incoming information about posture, and performing the movement to be done consciously or
      unconsciously. It is critical in controlling and coordinating goal-directed multi-joint
      movements. It is crucial to learn and perform the sport-specific techniques correctly to
      increase performance in training and competitions.

      Recently, the interest in basketball has increased, and the number of adolescents
      participating in this sport has increased at the same rate. Passing is the most widely used
      technical skill after shooting in basketball. A basketball player's performance and a team's
      success mainly depend on their passing skills. Because passing in basketball is one of the
      important actions in the game. It has been stated that the error/success ratio of the player
      on the passing skill is the main distinguishing factor between beginners and experienced
      players in competitions.

      For this reason, the performance and season-long success of the players in basketball depend
      mainly on their passing skills. The Physical Performance Tests can be used to determine
      functional performance and evaluate progression in athletic populations. It has become
      necessary to conduct studies investigating basketball passing to improve training capacity,
      the performance, and skills of players.

      Some studies in the literature investigate the possible relationship between proprioception
      and sportive success. One of them emphasized the relationship between free throw percentage
      and shoulder joint position sense. They also stated that proprioceptive exercises (especially
      above 90° of the shoulder ROM) could be included in the training program to increase the
      percentage of free throws. On the other hand, one study examined the relationship between
      basketball players' free-throw performance, elbow, and wrist joint position sense and found a
      moderate correlation between free-throw success rate and wrist and elbow joint position
      sense.

      The studies on upper extremity proprioception in basketball players mainly focus on examining
      free-throw performance, and there is no study examining the relationship between
      proprioception and passing accuracy. In addition, no research has been found exploring the
      relationship between upper extremity physical performance and proprioception in basketball.
      Therefore, this study hypothesizes that a player with good elbow proprioception and upper
      extremity physical performance tests would have high pass accuracy, considering the
      importance of passing in basketball.
    

Intervention name(s): Force Sense; Joint Reproduction Sense; Seated Medicine Ball Throw; Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test; Passing Accuracy
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test; Diagnostic Test; Diagnostic Test; Diagnostic Test; Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): A measure of proprioception, using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2-hoggan Health Industries Inc.), in a sitting position in a standardized position of the elbow joint of the dominant upper extremity (90 degree of flexion). Measurement of the elbow joint flexion force sense will be expressed as percentages. Each of the targeted trials will be calculated as a percentage of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) reference measure. The difference between the targeted and the actual percentage of MVC for each of the trials will be then calculated as a percentage of the targeted MVC, to reflect the proportion of error.; A measure of proprioception, using a smart phone goniometer (Android Clinometer) application, in a sitting position in a standardized position of the elbow joint of the dominant upper extremity. Measurement of the elbow joint position reproduction will be expressed as degrees of reproduced angle. Absolute Error (AE) score will be calculated by the absolute value of the difference in degrees of the angle reproduced after subtracting the angle targeted.; A measure of upper limb physical performance, using 2-kg medicine ball and a standardized protocol, throwing distance expressed in meters.; A measure of upper limb physical performance, using body weight and a standardized protocol, touches between hands expressed in number of touches.; A measure of the basketball passing skills, passing of The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) test battery will be used in a standardized protocol. Accurate passes will be expressed in points.
Observational model: Other
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Adolescent basketball players in amateur basketball club teams in Kütahya Province will be
        recruited for this study.
      
Keywords: proprioception; elbow; physical performance; passing accuracy; adolescent