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Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare select clinical measures between front and back court players to establish normative values in these populations. We hypothesized that there would be differences between front and back court players for select clinical measures.

Subjects: 326 Rostered National Basketball Association (NBA) players participated. Subjects were divided into two groups, frontcourt (n=132) and backcourt (n=194) and were excluded if they were not cleared to participate in pre-season training at the time of data collection.

Methods: Data was collected by a single rater during training camp. Inclusion criteria included non-injured players who were cleared by their team physician. Measurements taken include 1st MTP ROM, 90/90 hamstring flexibility, Hip IR, ER, and Total Rotation ROM, with Ely’s Test, Arch Height Difference, Standing Arch Height Index, Arch Stiffness, Arch Rigidity, Tibial Varum, Weight-bearing DF. All measures were taken for non-dominant and dominant lower extremities. A 2-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted for each variable comparing the main effects between non-dominant and dominant lower extremities within frontcourt and backcourt players.

Results: The results showed 1st MTP ROM p=0.033, 90/90 p=0.374, Hip IR 0.993, Hip ER p=0.691, Total Hip Rotation ROM p=0.774, Ely p=0.03, Arch Height Difference p=0.782, Arch Height Index Standing p=0.154, Arch Stiffness p=0.929, Arch Rigidity p=0.923, Tibial Varum p=0.109, Weight-bearing DF p=0.697. This showed statistical significance with 1st MTP ROM and Elys Test.

Conclusions: The results may be consistent with the positional demands of the players. Backcourt players scored lower on the Ely’s Test for their non-dominant lower extremity. Potentially due to greater rectus femoris stiffness aligning with their physical demands of performing stopping and starting movements that require eccentric contraction of the quadriceps. Backcourt players also were found to have greater 1st MTP ROM for both lower extremities, indicating greater compliance at this joint. This also aligns with their demands of needing to perform agility tasks, acceleration/ deceleration, and change of direction movements. Frontcourt players perform more vertical movements, such as rebounding and defending the rim, which may require more stiffness in the 1st MTP joint. The statistically significant differences found may not be clinically relevant.

Clinical Relevance: This study highlights differences seen in frontcourt and backcourt players and dominant leg and nondominant legs. Future research may determine if these differences have a relationship with injury risk or performance in this population.

Publication Date

5-2024

Disciplines

Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Sports Sciences

A Comparison of Clinical Measures Between Front and Back Court National Basketball Association Players

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