Comparison of chosen physical fitness characteristics of turkish professional basketball players by division and playing position

The purpose of the present study was to compare chosen physical fitness characteristics of Turkish professional basketball players in different divisions (first and second division) and playing positions. Forty-five professional male basketball players (14 guards, 15 forwards, 16 centers) participated in this study voluntarily. For each player, anthropometric measurements were performed, as well as a multi-stage 20 m shuttle run, isokinetic leg strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-30 meter single-sprint and T-drill agility tests. The differences in terms of division were evaluated by independent t-test and the differences by playing position were evaluated by one-way ANOVA with Post Hoc Tukey test. First division players' CMJ measurements were significantly higher than those of second division players' (p≤0.05), whereas second division players' 10 m sprint times were significantly better than those of first division players' (p≤0.05). In addition, forwards and centers were significantly taller than guards. Centers were significantly heavier and their T-drill test performances were inferior to those of forwards and guards (p≤0.05). Moreover, guards had a significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) than centers. Guards and forwards showed significantly better performance in the 10 and 30 m sprint tests than centers (p≤0.05). Forwards and centers had significantly better left leg flexor strength at 180°.s-1(p≤0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that physical performance of professional basketball players differed among guards, forwards and centers, whereas there were not significant differences between first and second division players. According to the present study, court positions have different demands and physical attributes which are specific to each playing position in professional basketball players. Therefore, these results suggest that coaches should tailor fitness programs according to specific positions on the court. © Editorial Committee of Journal of Human Kinetics

Demographic and clinical features of our lower limb amputee patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to present demographic and clinical features of lower limb amputee patients who consulted to our orthopedic rehabilitation out patient-clinic, and to explore the related variables with functional situation in respect of amputation reason. Material and Methods: Demographic data, and clinic data of patients related to amputation and prosthesis use were recorded. Related variables with functional situation and quality of life were explored with composing two groups according to vascular and traumatic amputation reasons. Functional situation was evaluated with walking-speed with prothesis (meters/second) and 6-minute-walk-test(meters). Beck-Depression-inventory, Amputee-body-image-scale, and Short-Form-36(SF-36) were asked for replying by the patients. Results: Seventy one patients with mean age of 54,2 ±17,5 years (15-85) were evaluated. Time elapsed since amputation was 113.4 ±49.8, and mean time of prosthesis use was 84.8 ±24.8 months. Sixty two patients (%87.3) were male, and nine patients (%12.7) were female. It was detected that there were vascular amputation in 42 (%59.2), and traumatic amputation in 29 patients (%40.8). Walking-speed was 0.3 ± 0.3 m/s in vascular group, 0.9 ± 0.5 m/s in traumatic group, 6-minute-walk-distance was 60m in vascular, 246m in traumatic group(p<0.05). SF-36 physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, and general health subscores were significantly low in vascular amputees (p<0.05).Conclusion: It was detected that functional situation and quality-of-life physical function, role limitations due to physical problems and general health subscores of amputee caused by peripheral vascular reasons were lower than amputee caused by traumatic reasons. Keeping in mind these results will be beneficial for setting the targets of rehabilitation in lower limb amputee when rehabilitation programmes are arranged. Copyright © 2011 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneǧi

The association of physical examination findings and functional status with radiological and clinical variables in plantar heel pain

Objective: We aimed at exploring the correlation among demographic features, clinical findings, radiological and functional status of patients with plantar heel pain. Material and Methods: Patients with plantar heel pain who had lateral feet X-rays in last 6 months were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were questioned for duration of symptoms and whether there is pain with first step in the morning. The presence of epin calcanei was evaluated on the lateral X-rays of feet. Clinical evaluation is made by heel press test, pain intensity by 10cm visual analog scale(VAS), and functional evaluation by the Rearfoot Score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (RFS). Results: Seventy-one patients, 112 feet were evaluated. The mean body mass index, duration of symptoms, VAS, RFS was respectively 30.26 ± 4.29 kg/m2, 20.00 ± 20.20 months, 8.6 ± 1.47, 52.17 ± 5.59. The pain with first step in the morning was present in 106(%94.6) feet, pain with palpation of heel was positive in 92(%82.1) feet. Epin calcanei was detected in lateral X-rays of 85(%75.9) feet. A significant correlation between pain with palpation of heel and epin calcanei findings on X-ray was detected (r= 0.282, p= 0.003). There was significant correlation between RFS and age(r= -0.302, p= 0.011), duration of symptoms (r=-0.310, p= 0.001), X-ray findings (r=-0.275, p= 0.003). A significant correlation was also detected between age and X-ray findings (r= 0.277, p= 0.019). Conclusion: Epin calcanei was frequently detected in lateral X-rays of feet in patients with plantar heel pain who have pain with pressing of heel and this frequency increases with increasing age. Epin calcanei findings in the X-ray, increased age and long duration of symptoms negatively effects the RFS. It is observed that pressing test with palpation of heel and RFS are effective evaluation methods for diagnosing epin calcanei because of their correlation with radiologic findings. Copyright © 2010 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneǧi