Musculoskeletal Injury Profiling of Male Youth Basketball Players

At a Glance

In cooperation with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the University of Wisconsin, and Brigham Young University (BYU), our chair is systematically investigating injury mechanisms in youth and college sport. Athletes are followed over a full competitive season at three sites: the IBAM Academy in Munich (youth basketball, ages 13–18), the University of Wisconsin (NCAA basketball), and BYU (NCAA football).

 

Background

Musculoskeletal injuries are a central concern in youth basketball — more than half of all injuries affect the knee. Previous research has largely been limited to documenting injury rates and types. What is missing is an understanding of the biological changes that precede injury.

During pubertal growth, tendons, muscles, and joints undergo substantial changes. Current prevention approaches often rely on external load parameters such as training volume or playing time without accounting for actual tissue-level changes. Our project closes this gap: we capture not only training load but, more importantly, make the underlying changes in tendons, muscles, and joints visible through diagnostic imaging and biomechanical testing.

 

Aims

The project aims to systematically assess musculoskeletal changes in young basketball players across the season using whole-body MRI and high-resolution ultrasound. On this basis, we seek to identify biomechanical and physiological markers that may serve as early indicators of impending injury and to derive individualised, evidence-based recommendations for load management. The three-site design additionally enables comparison of developmental trajectories and load profiles between youth basketball players, NCAA college basketball athletes, and NCAA football athletes.

 

Methods

The study is designed as a prospective cohort study with three parallel sites. At the IBAM Academy in Munich, approximately 50 youth players aged 13 to 18 are followed over a complete season. In parallel, the University of Wisconsin and BYU collect comparable data on their college athletes.

Data collection combines three approaches: diagnostic imaging with whole-body MRI (tendon cross-sections, muscle volumes, joint structures) and high-resolution ultrasound every 4–6 weeks for tendon morphology and muscle volume asymmetries; biomechanical testing on force plates (jump performance, landing mechanics) at regular intervals; and sensor-based load monitoring using IMU technology for continuous recording of load peaks, movement variability, and cumulative strain during training and competition.

 

Duration

Pilot phase from the 2025/26 season. Data collection spans a full competitive season (12 months).

 

Contact

Prof. Filip Mess (Project Lead)

Philipp Hartmannsgruber (Study Coordinator)