Basketball is an extremely popular sport with males and females. As has been documented extensively, female athletes are more prone to ACL tears (particularly in basketball) than male athletes. The literature theorizes that there are a number of reasons for this; knee angle resulting from wider pelvis, hormones, landing mechanics, lack of hamstring strength, and lack of a strength training background.
Noyes et al (2012) studied 57 female high school basketball players and the effects of a three days/week, six-week comprehensive training program (plyometrics, agility, quickness drills, and speed training) on performance measures and landing mechanics. The authors found that the training improved landing mechanics and improved a number of fitness measures (aerobic fitness improved by 14%, vertical jump by almost 9%, and 18 meter sprint time decreased by 0.2%).
If landing mechanics are the smoking gun behind ACL injuries in female athletes, then the type of training program studied in this article would seem to address this. However, there has also been literature over the years concerning weak hamstrings (which may contribute to poor landing mechanics) and a lack of all-around strength which are not addressed by this training program. In addition, the poor improvements in sprint time is concerning as short busts of speed are extremely important for the sport of basketball. There were no sprints in the training program described except when they are part of an agility drill. Both (strength and sprint) suggest some limitations to this program, though it seems to address landing mechanics nicely.
The authors point out that none of the subjects were injured (ACL) during the course of the study. I think this is one of those areas that is a lot more complex than just one factor contributing to the injury and strength and conditioning programs should address this. For example:
- Focus on landing mechanics (and ankle strengthening) as part of the warm-up
- Sprints for speed and metabolic conditioning
- Agility drills, greater focus when the athlete is in-season
- Strength training year-round focused around power cleans, squat variations, and hip extension exercises.
- Plyometrics once the athlete has a great enough strength level for them to be effective, otherwise focusing on landing mechanics as mentioned above.
Noyes, F.R., Barber-Westin, S.D., Smith, S.T., Campbell, T.,, and Garrison, T.T. (2012). A training program to improve neuromuscular and performance indices in female high school basketball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(3), 709-719.
