POSTURAL STATUS OF JUNIOR BASKETBALL PLAYERS: A DIGITAL POSTURAL ASSESSMENT

Adolescence is a period marked by rapid growth, changes in body proportions and progressive neuromuscular development, which may influence postural alignment in young athletes. Basketball includes repeated jumping, landing, pivoting, acceleration, deceleration and changes of direction, all of which place specific mechanical demands on the trunk and lower limbs. This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to assess the postural status of junior basketball players from CSM Oradea Basketball using digital postural analysis, with each athlete undergoing a single assessment. The study included 16 junior basketball players born between 2008 and 2011, all actively involved in organized training and competition. Postural assessment was performed using the APECS Posture Evaluation application, based on standardized photographs taken from anterior, posterior and left lateral views. The analyzed parameters were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. In the anterior view, the largest numerical mean values were recorded for right and left foot rotation. In the posterior view, the largest numerical mean values were recorded for head tilt, trunk inclination and pelvic tilt. In the left lateral view, head projection, foot angle and pelvic tilt showed the largest numerical values. Overall, lower numerical mean values were observed for most anterior and posterior parameters, while selected sagittal-view and foot-related parameters showed larger numerical values. Because the assessed variables represent different postural parameters, differences in their numerical magnitude should not be interpreted as indicating greater clinical abnormality. These findings provide baseline information for physiotherapy screening, posture-oriented assessment and individualized monitoring in junior basketball players.