The aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate the effects of the Thrower's Ten exercise program-commonly recommended to enhance shoulder stability and strength in athletes-when applied using an external focus of attention approach (i.e., directing attention toward an object or movement outside the body), on functional performance, shoulder stability, balance, and throwing performance in adolescent basketball players.
This study has been designed to examine the effects of performing the Thrower's Ten exercises with an external focus of attention on functional performance, shoulder stability, balance, and throwing performance in adolescent basketball players. Athletes will be randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group will perform the exercises using an external focus of attention, whereas the control group will perform the same exercises without any specific attentional focus.
The methods employed in this study are expected to effectively address the research objectives. The data collection tools and analytical techniques to be used are based on validated and widely accepted tests in the literature. Functional performance will be assessed using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, balance will be evaluated using the Upper Extremity Y Balance Test, and throwing performance will be measured using the Medicine Ball Throw Test.
Adolescent male basketball players aged 10-18 years
With at least one year of continuous participation in basketball
Basketball players who participate in regular training at least two days per week
Participants will be excluded if they have a history of upper or lower extremity surgery within the past six months
do not regularly attend training sessions
do not consent to participate
Parallel
Exercise
Other interventionThe exercise protocol to be implemented consists of the Thrower's Ten Exercise Program. Thrower's Ten Exercise Program: The Thrower's Ten Exercise Program, originally developed by Kevin E. Wilk and colleagues (1993), comprising ten different exercises, will be applied to both the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, an external focus of attention strategy will be employed, directing participants' attention away from their body movements toward external targets (e.g., a target board used in conjunction with a laser pointer) during the execution of the exercises.
Exercise with neutral attentional focus
Other interventionThe Thrower's Ten exercises will be performed using a neutral attentional focus approach.
Balance
The Upper Extremity Y Balance Test (UEYBT) will be used to assess shoulder stability and dynamic balance. Participants will perform reach movements in three directions (anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial), and the reach distance will be recorded. Three trials will be performed for each direction, and the maximum reach distance will be used for analysis. The UEYBT will be conducted for both the dominant and non-dominant upper extremities. Participants will begin the test in a push-up (plank) position. In this position, one hand will be placed at the center of the Y Balance Test apparatus, while both feet will remain in contact with the ground, positioned shoulder-width apart. While maintaining this position, participants will reach maximally in three directions (medial, superolateral, and inferolateral) with the contralateral upper extremity (15). After each reach, participants will return to the starting position without compromising the push-up posture.
Functional performance
The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) will be used to assess shoulder stability and functional performance. In this test, participants will assume a push-up position and alternately touch the contralateral hand in a cross-over manner, with the number of touches completed within 15 seconds recorded. For the CKCUEST, participants will be positioned in a push-up stance, with their hands placed 92 cm apart, perpendicular to the body. Participants will be instructed to alternately touch the opposite hand as quickly as possible for 15 seconds. Each participant will perform two trials with a 1-minute rest interval between trials. The number of touches will be recorded by the evaluators. Trials will be considered invalid if the participant fails to reach the predetermined hand position or is unable to maintain the proper support position.
Shooting Performance
The Medicine Ball Throw Test will be used to assess upper extremity explosive power and throwing performance. Participants will be instructed to throw a 2-kg medicine ball as far as possible, and the throwing distance will be recorded. For the test, participants will be seated on the floor with their backs firmly supported against a wall and their legs extended straight, with approximately 60 cm between the feet. A measuring tape will be placed on the ground and extended to a length of 10 meters. Participants will hold the 2-kg medicine ball with both hands at chest level, close to the midline of the body, and will be instructed to throw the ball horizontally, parallel to the measuring tape, as far as possible. The distance traveled by the ball will be measured in centimeters using the same measuring tape and recorded. Each participant will be given two trials, with a 1-minute rest interval between attempts.
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