Biomechanics of core musculature on upper extremity performance in basketball players

Basketball is a dynamic team sport which involves skilled movement and activities. Shooting is considered to be an essential part of the game for scoring points. The core strength is an important preconditioning for the sport, and it influences the performance of the player.

In this study the subjects included thirty-six male basketball players divided into two groups of high and low core groups. The subjects performed one arm hop test and modified upper quarter y balance test (mUQYBT) under with and without core activation condition. The performance of the subjects was evaluated using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukeys HSD. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05 as significant. Value of confidence interval was set at 95%.

Based on the study, significant difference (p < 0.05) in performance for one arm hop test was observed among all the four groups of core muscles (group 1: high core with core activation, group 2 high core without core activation, group 3 low core with core activation and group 4 low core without core activation). Whereas, no significant difference (p > 0.05) in performance for mUQYBT was observed among all four groups.

Core training is the basis for many functional movements and has become the norm in athletic training programs. Broad benefits of core stabilization have been overlooked, from improving athletic performance to preventing injuries in the sports medicine world.

In the present study, core activation was associated with improved stability and mobility of basketball players during the upper extremity performance test, and the greatest influence of core activation was seen in individuals with lower core scores.