The 2024-2025 NBA season is drawing to a close, but basketballers around New Zealand are only just beginning their club seasons.
To be ready to get back on court, ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker has a message for all aspiring basketballers: “Have a hmmm.”
Players in the NBA have been conditioning their bodies to be able to perform at their best when they’re on the court, said Whitaker in a statement.
Club players need to form the same good habits when it comes to the start of the season, he said.
“Players often begin the season without the right fitness and conditioning.
“It’s crucial that players follow a good strength and conditioning programme before and throughout the season, including putting your body through the movements you’ll use in the game.
“That way you will take the court ready to go when the ref tosses the first ball.”
In 2024, ACC received 22,926 basketball injury related claims. The cost of supporting people with these injuries was more than $30 million.
The region with the highest number of claims in 2024 was Auckland, with 9688 claims at a cost of $12.1m.
Auckland was followed by Canterbury (2924; $4.9m), Waikato (2000; $2.4m), Wellington (1971; $2.9m), Bay of Plenty (1721; $1.7m) and Otago (1122; $1.4m).
Basketball injuries were most common with 10- to 14-year-olds (8247), followed by 15- to 19-year-olds (5850) and 20- to 24-year-olds (1994).
Injury claims were also more common among males (18,511) than females (4402).
ACC data shows how important it is for young players to form good habits early in their basketball careers.
“Invest in your body, just like the players in the NBA,” said Whitaker.
“Put as much effort into your strength and conditioning, as you do into your game.
“The hard work you do off the court will set you up to play the game long term.”
Research shows 90% of all injuries are predictable and therefore preventable, said Whitaker.
He encouraged all players to take advantage of ACC’s injury prevention tips available on the ACC website.
“People can visit the site, let us know what sport or recreation activity they’re interested in, and receive injury prevention tips to suit their lifestyle, avoid injury and continue doing the things they love.”
Although we might do everything we can to prepare well, injuries still happen from time to time, said Whitaker.
“ACC is here to support you if you do injure yourself and we’ll do everything we can to help you recover.”
ACC partners with key sport organisations to deliver sport-specific programmes, including basketball to keep people active and enjoying their sport.
The programme with Basketball NZ contains a range of resources for players, coaches, and referees to improve performance and reduce injury risk on the basketball court.
A warm-up tailored to the game and a good cool down is just one way you can help reduce your chance of injury, said Whitaker.
“A dynamic warm-up should be done before every training and game and should start off at low intensity and gradually progress from a simple series of movements to a more specific and higher-intensity level.
“This helps players prepare muscles and joints to move at the speed and intensity of the following game or training. The cool down should include static stretches to help your body recover.
“Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Aotearoa and ACC is ensuring players are supported to stay in the game all season long.”
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