Isokinetic Ankle Inversion and Eversion Muscle Strength in Korean Men's Professional Basketball Players

Abstract

PURPOSE In this study, the isokinetic strength of ankle inversion and eversion in Korean professional basketball players (KBL) was assessed, distinguishing between their dominant and non-dominant legs, as well as across different positions. METHODS A meticulously designed study was conducted involving 25 KBL players (12 guards, 11 forwards, and 2 centers) with an average age of 27.8±5.3 years. The CSMI Norm isokinetic dynamometer, a highly accurate instrument, was used to measure bilateral isokinetic concentric strength at 60°·s-¹ and 150°·s-¹. The study measured peak torque (Nm), body mass normalized peak torque (Nm·kg-¹), bilateral strength asymmetry, and the eversion-to-inversion strength ratio in both dominant and non-dominant legs. RESULTS Peak torques, normalized peak torques, and eversion-to-inversion strength ratios were not significantly different between the dominant and non-dominant legs at the two angular speeds. There was also less than a 10% asymmetry in strength between the two legs. However, a position-specific analysis revealed that guards had a significantly higher normalized peak torque (0.35 vs. 0.30 Nm·kg-1, p=.048) for ankle inversion of the dominant leg at 150°·s-¹ compared to forwards. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that healthy KBL players exhibit symmetrical ankle inversion and eversion muscle strength between their dominant and non-dominant sides, with possible positional differences in strength. These findings serve as a reference for the assessment of inversion and eversion strength in basketball players.

Keywords

• ankle
• inversion
• eversion
• peak torque
• basketball player