Plyometry and Tapping in the Functional Improvement of Non-professional Basketball Players

Introduction. In basketball, the lower extremities have the highest prevalence of injury, regardless of gender and professional category. Objective. To analyse the efficacy of a physiotherapy intervention using a protocol of plyometric exercises and dry needling in non-professional basketball athletes. Methods. Randomised clinical study. 20 players will be randomised to an experimental group (plyometric exercises and dry needling of the gastrocnemius muscles) and a control group (plyometric exercises). The intervention will include 8 sessions over 4 weeks. The study variables will be: range of motion in dorsal flexion in loading (Leg Motion®) and unloading (goniometer) and vertical jump (MyJump2®). Expected results. An intervention of plyometric exercises and dry needling produces significant differences in range of motion and vertical jump in basketball players, compared to the isolated administration of plyometric exercises.