Document Type : Original article
Authors
1
Department of Sports Medicine and New Technologies, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of health and sport medicine, Faculty of physical education and sport science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3
2. Department of Sports Medicine and New Technologies, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22037/sjrm.2026.117570.3451
Abstract
Background and Aims: Successful performance in wheelchair basketball is highly dependent on upper limb muscle strength and balance. The repetitive nature of activities such as wheelchair propulsion, passing, and shooting places considerable stress on the shoulder and elbow joints and may lead to functional changes and muscular imbalances. The aim of the present study was to compare the isokinetic strength of the shoulder and elbow joints between elite and beginner wheelchair basketball players.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 18 wheelchair basketball players in two groups: elite (n = 10) and beginner (n = 8). The isokinetic strength of the elbow flexors and extensors, as well as the shoulder internal and external rotators, was measured at angular velocities of 60 and 180 degrees per second using an isokinetic dynamometer. An independent t-test was used to compare the groups at a significance level of α ≤ 0.05.
Results: The results showed that elite players had significantly higher values than beginner players in peak torque of the elbow flexors at angular velocities of 60 and 180 degrees per second, peak torque of the elbow extensors at 180 degrees per second, and the agonist-to-antagonist ratio of the shoulder rotators at 60 degrees per second (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the other variables (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the difference between the elite and beginner players with wheelchairs is not limited to the general increase in muscle strength, but this difference is observed in some of the upper limb functional indicators. Elite players in the power of elbow flexors had better performance in both test speeds and elbow expenses at high speed, while there was no significant difference in the absolute strength indices of the shoulder. On the other hand, there was a significant difference in the ratio of an agonist to the shoulder antagonist that the higher skill level can be associated with a more favorable muscle balance pattern. These findings indicate that the progress of performance in basketball with wheelchair is not only dependent on increasing the volume of exercise, but also related to neurological adaptations, strength development in key muscle and improve muscle coordination. Applied, it is recommended that in beginner players, in addition to public power exercises, targeted programs for flexor and elbow, shoulder muscle and muscle correction, to improve both exercise and reduce the risk of shoulder and elbow damage.
Keywords: Wheelchair basketball, isokinetic strength, shoulder joint, elbow joint
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