The Benefits Of Yoga For Basketball Players
Being an athlete is not as easy as it seems. Besides performing at a high level, athletes must also keep their bodies at a high performing level as well. Not only does this include physically but mentally as well (being properly physically and mentally fit). Physically, the body runs off how well the athlete takes care of his/her body. This is done with proper nutrient intake, daily physical fitness required off the court, and the proper rest to prevent unnecessary injuries. If the body is overworked, it will not perform at its best because of the stress build up and strain on the body physically and mentally. Another way a player is evaluated for performance is mentally. Mentally, athletes are evaluated by how well they quickly think and make decisions on the court for mental awareness. Also, being able to take that awareness and operate in a totally different mindset in big games and moments. This could be in yoga practice, doing things outside of basketball with family and friends to relax the mind, or simply meditating daily to decrease anxiety, depression, or stress. All of which are encountered during pressured moments in the game. Yoga and meditation also help with the cardiovascular and respiratory system for basketball players. Meditating is important to do to remain focused during the most distracting times during ball games. It eases the mind, relaxes the body, and frees the spirit to put a player in the moment/zone. This technique is often seen in the practice of yoga. Yoga allows an individual to meditate, enhance flexibility, and prevent injuries. Yoga can be the key component to an athlete’s success in a game and the key to create the flexibility to expand that success by taking care of the body in a physical and mental aspect. How does Yoga enhance a basketball player’s body and decisions made in a game? Yoga is a lot easier on the body and a safe practice to do individually and in a group setting. Bussing also mentions it could be used as a therapeutic intervention. What is the connection with Yoga and Basketball Players? What exactly is Yoga? Yoga is from the Sanskrit base word of “yuj”, which means union.
According to Bussing, (2012), yoga is an ancient Indian practice that allows a person to become one with their inner selves. It is a body awareness method that pushes your weaknesses and enhances your strengths and endurance. This practice has several types of different methods, but the main two used in basketball are asanas/hatha yoga (the physical postures poses to help with meditation) and pranayama (a breathing technique). Asanas/hatha yoga puts the body in different positions that are controlled with pranayama breathing. Sharma, L. (2015) states, competitive athletes should customize yoga to their specific sport and training schedule. It can develop major muscle groups used for the sport. Therefore, so many basketball and other sports teams have become opened to this form of practice. Some of the most notable names of professional athletes and teams who practice yoga are as follows: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Andrea Iguodala, LA Clippers, former WNBA player Swin Cash, WNBA teams Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks. Yoga meditation is a therapy for players and a way to literally become more flexible in their sport. In the game of basketball meditation and flexibility is a big part of mental and physical health.
Mediation is needed to block out all distractions to remain focused and in the zone during big moments. These moments could be taking the game winning shot, shooting a game deciding free throw, or just making a big play to give the team the victory. Flexibility comes into play with being more agile and balanced. The flexibility stretches the joints, ligaments, and muscles and prevents less injuries seen daily in basketball players. Flexibility is needed to prevent injuries and get the body used to being in difficult positions when diving for a loose ball or landing awkwardly during and after a play. Sharma, L. (2015) explains it best when stated, how athletes are having more injuries that require surgery because concentration is put more on resistance strength training that eventually decreases a player’s flexibility. Yoga pushes the body to the limits and makes it stronger, bigger, and faster. As mentioned by Nagarathna et al. , (2019), because of yoga the muscles become more defined and balance is seen in the agonists and antagonists’ muscles. Players are mentally better thinkers and physically quicker on their feet and body movement. Where there is a strong mind, there is a strong body. Basketball players are able adapt to the current situation at the time and can operate more efficiently. P
olsgrove et al. , (2016), reported a study on 26 athletes on the effects of yoga on male college players over a 10-week span. A quasi-experimental design was the method used to measure the effectiveness on two different groups. There was a yoga and non-yoga group (ones who had no prior experience with yoga) used as subjects. Players were measured on different flexibilities and balances such as different stretches. The age ranges were 19-20-year old division II male athletes. As the 10-weeks went by, players did their routine trainings and were asked not to participate in any other training activities that would interfere with the study. Every week the yoga group did additional yoga sessions on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, which were led by the certified instructor. Measurements of flexibility/balance were taken before and after the 10-week study to investigate how yoga plays a contribution in enhancing a player’s performance. In the end, results showed the yoga groups balance and flexibility improved from 21. 4 inches to 23. 1 inches. The non-yoga group saw a decrease in balance and flexibility. They went from 21. 4 inches to 21. 0 inches. The yoga players benefited from the practice with the help of the additional class, and the non-yoga players showed little to no gains on flexibility and balance. Yoga enhanced the performance and proves why this practice should be included with regular workout schedules and routines. In conclusion, Yoga is an ancient Indian practice used for mediation, therapeutic healing to prevent and recover from injuries, and enhance flexibility and balance. Flexibility is important for players and is the main reason for yoga practice besides learning to meditate. Flexibility creates and expands a basketball player’s range of motion and ability to adjust to different movements quickly. Hatha yoga is what helps with flexibility. Sharma, L. , (2015), also states it can improve posture, create better balance, strengthen the spine, increase stamina, improve heart conditions and breathing disorders, and build muscle. All of which is important for basketball players to have to operate in their sport.
Meditation is the guidance to a more focused brain and mentally escaping the physical world. It is becoming one with one’s self and being in that present moment for body awareness. Meditation is a major part of yoga to be able to move freely in and out of different positions (asana). All this is done while still concentrating on controlling the breathing (pranayama). It is important for basketball players to be able to meditate and free their minds from all distractions to concentrate on being in the present moment of the game when it arrives. While yoga and meditation decrease anxiety, depression, and stressful situations, it can increase flexibility, toning of muscles, strengthen ligaments, joints, and muscles, and increase cardio and respiratory breathing. Studies have proven the health benefits that have come from yoga/meditating. Other studies showed yoga and mindfulness had positive effects on blood glucose and the cardio system as well. Yoga is a great method for basketball players to enhance their bodies to become bigger, better, and faster athletes. The benefits of Yoga improve not only the physical and mental aspect of their body, but it improves their overall health. With studies showing how yoga improves the quality of life such as relieving arthritis symptoms, asthma, or life threating sickness/diseases even after basketball, is a positive reason why yoga is a great practice for basketball players. It can also improve balance of the body and mind for the athlete to perform at the highest level possible in any circumstance. This could be a championship game, taking the winning shot, or just making a big play. In the moments when it counts most, the player will be ready, and know how to use meditation to focus and remain in his/her zone. The only downside of yoga and basketball players would be the safety measures such as, if a player pushes him/herself over the limit and causes an injury.
This would be a setback for the player and the basketball team as a whole (especially if it is a star player) being that yoga is supposed to enhance and be a way of naturally healing the body and injuries. Injuries could be anything from a pulled muscle or torn ligament. Many sports teams outside of basketball are now incorporating the practice of yoga because of its safety and benefits it has on players and their physical and mental health. Yoga and basketball players seem to be a great fit according to proven studies and the positive outcomes.
