Neuromuscular Effects of Acute Fatigue in Adolescent Basketball

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acute fatigue on neuromuscular control and performance parameters in professional adolescent basketball players and to determine the relationship between fatigue level and neuromuscular control variables. As a secondary aim, the study seeks to examine whether these effects differ according to sex.

The research hypotheses are as follows. The null hypothesis (H1-0) states that acute fatigue has no significant effect on neuromuscular control parameters in adolescent basketball players, including balance performance, landing mechanics, ground contact time, and asymmetry ratios. The alternative hypothesis (H1-1) proposes that acute fatigue has a significant effect on these neuromuscular control parameters.

The second null hypothesis (H2-0) states that the effects of acute fatigue on neuromuscular control parameters do not differ according to sex. The alternative hypothesis (H2-1) suggests that the effects of acute fatigue on neuromuscular control parameters differ according to sex.

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Key information

Conditions

Fatigue Recovery Basketball Behavior Coitus Gender Neuromuscular Control Sexual Behavior

Age range

13 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Biruni University

Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 34103, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Aged between 13 and 18 years
Registered professional/club-level basketball player
Engaging in regular training at least 3 days per week
No history of lower extremity surgery or severe injury within the past 6 months

Exclusion criteria

Presence of congenital musculoskeletal anomalies or neurological disorders
Cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic conditions that prevent safe participation in the tests
Athletes involved in additional high-intensity performance programs beyond regular training

Treatment and study plan

basketball practice

Other

The athletes' training session will consist of a 30-minute general and sport-specific warm-up period followed by a 90-minute basketball-specific ball training session. These training sessions will be conducted in accordance with the club's standard training program and will include technical and tactical drills, game-based exercises, movements involving changes of direction, jump-landing activities, and short-duration sprint efforts.

Primary outcomes

Dynamic Balance

Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the training

The Y-Balance Test (YBT) will be used to assess lower extremity dynamic balance, neuromuscular control, and functional stability. Participants balance on one leg while reaching as far as possible in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. A modified version of the YBT will be used due to the cost of the original platform, which has been shown to be reliable. Reach distances will be recorded in centimeters, normalized to lower extremity length, and a composite score (%) calculated:

Composite Score (%) = [(Anterior + Posteromedial + Posterolateral) / (3 × lower extremity length)] × 100

Higher scores indicate better dynamic balance and neuromuscular control.

Participant safety will be ensured with proper instructions, rest between trials, and termination of testing if pain or discomfort occurs. The YBT is non-invasive and safe.
Vertical jump

Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the training

The Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test will be used to assess lower extremity neuromuscular fatigue. The CMJ is a widely used, valid, and reliable performance test in sports science, designed to evaluate explosive force production of the lower limb muscles, the elastic properties of the muscle-tendon unit, and neuromuscular function . Participants perform a maximal vertical jump from a standing position following a rapid eccentric knee and hip flexion. This test is particularly relevant in basketball due to its high ecological validity for jump and landing movements. During the CMJ, jump height and the flight time to contact time ratio (FT:CT) will be calculated. The FT:CT ratio is an indirect indicator of neuromuscular efficiency and fatigue, with literature showing a decrease as fatigue increases. Each participant will perform three trials, with 1-minute rest between trials, and the best performance will be used for analysis. The test will be terminated if any pain, discomfort, or risk

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Biruni University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Effects of Basketball Training on Neuromuscular Performance and Dynamic Balance in Professional Adolescent Basketball Players: A Sex-Based Analysis

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Mar 12, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed