Acute effects of static stretching of upper arm and forearm on the accuracy of free throws in basketball

Background: Free throws are a very important element in modern basketball. There are many studies focused on different aspects ranging from variability in the mechanics of throwing at various skill levels to the influence of free throws on the results of games. Objective: Since the authors of the present study noticed that some players during a game apply static stretching of the shooting arm as a preparation to performing the free throw, we wanted to question the justification of such procedure prior to the performance of free throws. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of submaximal 15 seconds static stretching of the upper arm (m. triceps brachii) and forearm (m. flexor carpi radialis) on the accuracy of free throws in basketball. Methods: Participants of the present study were 100 basketball players; mean age was 18.2 ± 2.54 years. The sample was divided into two groups - players with higher (n = 70; 6.83 ± 1.83 hours/week) and lower number (n = 30; 4.17 ± 0.48 hours/week) of training sessions per week. Furthermore, we compared separately experienced (n = 47; 12.2 ± 0.55 years) and less experienced basketball players (n = 53; 6.4 ± 0.45 years). The procedure purported that every player performs five free throws without prior stretching, five free throws immediately after 15 seconds of static stretching of upper arm muscle (m. triceps brachii), and five free throws after 15 seconds of static stretching of the forearm (m. flexor carpi radialis). Results: Fifteen seconds of static stretching of the upper arm and forearm muscles had a negative influence on the accuracy of free-throw shooting in basketball. Players with a higher number of training sessions per week showed better tolerance to this negative influence. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that is not useful to apply static stretching of the triceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis muscles just before the execution of free throws.