EUEF study reveals that youth basketball players are at higher risk of knee injury due to lower muscle strength

Rapid bone growth during puberty is not matched by a slower rate of muscle growth. This can lead to a loss of flexibility, which in turn is associated with an increased risk of injury.

In this context, EUEF teachers Néstor Pérez, María Jesús Martínez, Lucía Cuéllar, Juan Manuel Arribas and Raúl Coto; together with María Ana Sáenz-Nuño, a researcher at the Institute for Research in Technology (ITT) of the Comillas Pontifical University, and Pablo José Borrás and Óscar Otín, staff of the Movistar Estudiantes Basketball Club, have carried out a study to analyse whether there are differences in muscle growth during puberty. research to analyse whether there are differences in knee muscle strength, joint work and H/Q ratio (hamstrings/quadriceps) between professional and youth basketball players, as well as between men and women.

To analyse these variables, which are closely related to the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the researchers conducted an assessment of 85 basketball players (43 professionals and 42 juniors) in which they measured knee flexion and extension strength, muscle work and H/Q ratio at three angular velocities.

In this assessment, the professional players showed greater muscle strength than the juniors. In addition, males outperformed females in strength and muscle work in almost all measurements.

On the other hand, no significant differences were found in the H/Q ratio between categories or between sexes. However, following the evaluation, the authors recommend analysing the H/Q ratio and absolute strength of knee muscles, especially in young women, as they are at increased risk of ACL injury and should receive specific training programmes to reduce the risk.

This study provides key evidence to improve injury prevention protocols in basketball and other physically demanding sports, and is part of the research line in biomechanics and sports physiotherapy of the EUEF on anterior cruciate ligament injuries in athletes.