A Comparative Study of Muscle Strength and Anaerobic Power of The Young National and National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Players

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the body composition, anaerobic power and isokinetic muscle strength of the shoulder rotators of the young National and National Junior Male Wheelchair Basketball players. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 male wheelchair basketball players aged between 15 and 31 years participated in the study. The age, height, weight, body mass index, and lean body mass of both the teams were compared, and isokinetic strength testing of the internal shoulder and external rotator muscles was performed at speeds of 60 degrees/s and 180 degrees/s in the scapular plane. The Wingate anaerobic power test (30 s) was performed using an upper body ergometer. The results were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There were statistically significantly difference in isokinetic strength and body composition of two teams (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in the results of the Wingate anaerobic power test between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: We believe that this difference in strength originates from the muscle kinetics of wheelchair propulsion.