The NBA and Youth Basketball: Recommendations for Promoting a Healthy and Positive Experience

Abstract

Participation in sports offers both short-term and long-term physical and psychosocial benefits for children and adolescents. However, an overemphasis on competitive success in youth sports may limit the benefits of participation, and could increase the risk of injury, burnout, and disengagement from physical activity. The National Basketball Association and USA Basketball recently assembled a group of leading experts to share their applied research and practices to address these issues. This review includes the group’s analysis of the existing body of research regarding youth sports participation and the related health, performance, and psychosocial outcomes. Based upon this, age-specific recommendations for basketball participation are provided that aim to promote a healthy and positive experience for youth basketball players.

Effects of an 8-week basketball-specific proprioceptive training with a single-plane instability balance platform

“…A recent report has suggested reduced injury rates based on data drawn from the FIFA 11+ program in elite-level European basketball players [16]. In general however, the effectiveness of injury prevention programs for sports and basketball in particular are limited [17]. Of relevance to this study, some have argued that in addition to internal (i.e., age, sex and body composition) or external (i.e., rules, equipment and environment) factors for injury prevention [15], there is a need to maintain proprioception at optimal levels in order to improve static and dynamic balance and reduce injury rate.…”

Epidemiology of all‐complaint injuries in youth basketball

“…[8][9][10] There are few studies informing prevention of injuries in youth basketball. 11,12 Although attempts have been made toward identifying specific interventions for mitigating the risk of injuries in youth basketball, for example, neuromuscular training warm-up programs, 13,14 injury outcomes are yet to be fully evaluated. Previous studies have reported injury rates in youth basketball with a wide variation in the definition of injury and differing metrics of risk.…”

“…Previous studies have reported injury rates in youth basketball with a wide variation in the definition of injury and differing metrics of risk. 12 Injury rates in youth basketball reportedly range between 22.7 and 33.1 injuries per 100 players, 4,13 and between 2.64 and 4.03 injuries per 1000 player hours. 6,13 While some studies have addressed overall injury rates by sex, 4,14-17 sex-specific information regarding injury types or classifications, using an "all-complaint" injury definition, in youth basketball are scarce.…”

Case Studies From Elite Youth Soccer: Reflections on Talent Development Practices

“…The accompanying theoretical analysis may help direct reflections to avenues that practitioners may not have been previously cognizant of, which may facilitate a deeper understanding of the coaching environment. Recent research (i.e., Chase & DiSante, 2017;Difiori et al, 2018) recognised the gap in knowledge concerning early specialisation, and provided suggestions for practitioners. Such research is encouraging and has further helped to bridge the theory to practice gap within talent development.…”

“…Côté et al (2013) highlighted that sport environments that do not include both adult-led and peer-led structures may be lessfavourable to players' motivation for continued participation. Supporting the motivation of young athletes is recognised as being integral to long-term development in elite youth sport (DiFiori et al, 2018), and thus is a priority for academy soccer coaches (Kingston, Wixey, & Morgan, 2018).…”