Journal of Athletic EnhancementISSN: 2324-9080

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Research Article, J Athl Enhancement Vol: 4 Issue: 6

Peak Ankle Muscle Activity of Faster and Slower Basketball Players during the Change-of-Direction Step in a Reactive Cutting Task

Robert G Lockie1*, Adrian B Schultz2, Tye S McGann2, Farzad Jalilvand1, Samuel J Callaghan3 and Matthew D Jeffriess4
1Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, USA
2Exercise and Sport Science Department, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia
3School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
4Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Lindfield, Australia
Corresponding author : Robert Lockie
Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, USA
Tel: +1 818-677-6983
Fax:
+1 818-677-3207
E-mail: robert.lockie@csun.edu
Received: July 17, 2015 Accepted: December 14, 2015 Published: December 20, 2015
Citation: Lockie RG, Schultz AB, McGann TS, Jalilvand F, Callaghan SJ, et al. (2015) Peak Ankle Muscle Activity of Faster and Slower Basketball Players during the Change-of-Direction Step in a Reactive Cutting Task. J Athl Enhancement 4:6. doi:10.4172/2324-9080.1000216

Abstract

Peak Ankle Muscle Activity of Faster and Slower Basketball Players during the Change-of-Direction Step in a Reactive Cutting Task

Study Background: Basketball requires frequent direction changes during match-play under reactive conditions. The ankle dynamic stabilizer muscles (Tibialis Anterior [TA], Peroneus Longus [PL], Peroneus Brevis [PB], soleus) may influence cutting effectiveness. This study examined whether ankle muscle activity differentiated between faster and slower basketballers in a reactive cutting task. Methods: Eighteen male basketballers completed six reactive trials (randomized three left and three right) of the Y-shaped agility test. Electromyography measured peak normalized (against 10-meter sprint muscle activity) activity (nEMG) of the TA, PL, PB, and soleus for both the inside and outside legs during the change-ofdirection step (first step past the trigger gate that initiated the cut). The outside leg was the leg furthest from the target gate; the inside leg was the closest. The faster direction change (left or right) was defined as the preferred or non-preferred cut direction. Preferred cut direction time was used to divide the sample into faster (n=9) and slower (n=9) groups. A one-way analysis of variance (p<0.003 for multiple comparisons) and effect sizes calculated any betweengroup differences in cutting and muscle activity. Data was pooled for a correlation analysis (p<0.05) between test times and ankle muscle nEMG. Results: The faster group was quicker in the preferred and nonpreferred cuts, although there were no significant between-group differences in muscle activity, and no significant correlations. There was a large effect for the 83% greater inside leg PL nEMG for the faster group in the preferred cut compared to the slower group, although this was non-significant. Conclusion: The greater activity of the inside leg PL for the faster group, shown by the large effect, could have aided foot movement during the change-of-direction step. Nevertheless, ankle muscle activity generally did not distinguish between faster and slower reactive cuts in basketballers.

Keywords: Y-shaped agility test; Cutting; Electromyography; Peroneus longus; Court sports

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