Elbow Extensors and Volar Flexors Strength Capacity and Its Relation to Shooting Performance in Basketball Players—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Rate of force/torque development scaling factor (RFD-SF/RTD-SF) has been used as a tool for assessing neuromuscular quickness. The aim was to investigate strength capacities of two major shooting muscle groups and their relationship to basketball shooting performance, and to compare the RFD-SF as well as shooting performance between junior and senior basketball players, and finally to examine the differences in RTD-SF between elbow extensors and volar flexors. In 23 male basketball players (13 juniors and 10 seniors) we assessed maximal isometric torque (TMVC), maximal rate of torque development and RTD-SF slope (kRTD-SF) for elbow extensors and volar flexors. The subjects performed 10 throws at 2.3 m (short) and 8.9 m (long) from the basket. Our results showed similar kRTD-SF and TMVC in both groups. Better shooting performance from short distance was observed in senior players. Significant associations between kRTD-SF, TMVC and shooting performance were found only in juniors. Elbow extensors TMVC was found to have a significant positive large association with shooting performance from long distance. It seems that muscle capacity has an important role in shooting performance in junior compared to players. Sufficient strength capacity of major shooting muscles is important for juniors’ shooting performance from a long distance.

The rate of force development scaling factor: a review of underlying factors, assessment methods and potential for practical applications

“…), with the exception of a moderate correlation (r = − 0.51) between RFD-SF slope for knee extensors and the time to complete the four-square step test in the subset of females (n = 13). In one of our pilot studies, we found positive associations between basketball throwing accuracy from a short distance (2.3 m) and the RFD-SF for elbow extensors (r = 0.63) and wrist flexors (r = 0.59) (Smajla et al 2020b). While this could indicate the importance of RFD-SF for submaximal movements requiring precision, the associations were reversed (r = − 0.55 and − 0.64) for the shooting accuracy from a longer distance (8.9 m).…”

“…Likewise, Casartelli et al (2014) reported similar values for hip flexors (8.8 s −1 ), abductors (8.3 s −1 ) and adductors (8.3 s −1 ), and slightly lower values for hip internal and external rotators (7.3 s −1 and 7.7 s −1 ) in healthy adults. Furthermore, RFD-SF tended to be higher for elbow extensors (8.5-8.9 s −1 ) than for the wrist flexors (7.3-7.5 s −1 ) in basketball players (Smajla et al 2020b). Slightly higher (compared to other studies) RFD-SF values for knee extensors (9.6 s −1 ), elbow extensors (10.5 s −1 ) and grip muscles (9.3 s −1 ) were reported by Mathern et al (2019), and for grip muscles (9.3 s −1 and 9.1 s −1 ) by Uygur et al (2020) and Corrêa et al (2020).…”

“…Owing to its units of measurement (s −1 ), the RFD-SF is independent of the strength and size of the muscle group, which enables direct comparisons of neuromuscular capabilities between individuals and between-muscle groups (Bellumori et al 2011). To this end, RFD-SF has been assessed in the ankle (Van Cutsem et al 1998;Klass et al 2008;Chou et al 2013;Smajla et al 2020a), knee (Bellumori et al 2011;Boccia et al 2018;Šarabon et al 2020a;Smajla et al 2021b), hip (Casartelli et al 2014;, elbow (Bellumori et al 2011(Bellumori et al , 2013Smajla et al 2020b), wrist (Smajla et al 2020b) and finger/grip muscles (Bellumori et al 2011(Bellumori et al , 2013Mathern et al 2019;Corrêa et al 2020;Uygur et al 2020). In healthy adult participants, Bellumori et al (2011) reported very similar RFD-SF for knee extensors, elbow extensors and index finger abductors (the group means were 8.3, 8.9 and 8.2 s −1 , respectively).…”

Special Issue on “Sports Performance and Health”

“…Concerning the submission area (iii), i.e., the optimization of sports performance by training, technique and/or tactics enhancements, the study by Smajla et al [6] investigated elbow extensors and volar flexors strength in basketball players, and demonstrated significant associations between strength and shooting performance, particularly for longdistance shooting. Havolli et al [7] reported the anthropometric characteristics, maximal isokinetic strength and selected handball power as indicators that are specific to playing position in elite Kosovan handball players.…”