Relationships Between Isometric Shoulder Strength and Three-Point Shooting Accuracy in Male Basketball Players

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Strength and Conditioning

Background:

• Basketball performance relies on accurate shooting, influenced by various physical attributes.
• Shoulder strength is crucial for shooting mechanics, but its specific relationship with accuracy, especially bilateral differences, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between isometric shoulder strength (absolute and relative) and three-point shooting accuracy in male basketball players.
• To examine potential bilateral differences in shoulder strength among these athletes.

Main Methods:

• Thirty male basketball players underwent isometric shoulder strength testing at three abduction positions (ISO-I, ISO-Y, ISO-T) on both dominant and nondominant sides using a force plate.
• Subjects completed a 110-attempt three-point shooting protocol to assess accuracy.
• Paired t-tests and linear regression analyses were used to compare strength and examine associations with shooting accuracy.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant bilateral shoulder strength asymmetries were found, with the dominant side showing only a ~3% advantage.
• Dominant-arm isometric shoulder strength did not correlate significantly with three-point shooting accuracy.
• A moderate positive association was observed between nondominant shoulder strength (ISO-I position) and three-point shooting accuracy (absolute and relative values).

Conclusions:

• While dominant arm strength is important, nondominant shoulder strength, especially in overhead positions, may play a key role in supporting shooting consistency.
• Strength and conditioning programs should consider developing nondominant shoulder strength to enhance guide-hand stability and potentially improve three-point shooting accuracy.