Basketball: with an eye on the ball and team spirit to victory
Basketball is a very dynamic sport with demanding tactics. To achieve this, basketball players need intensive training and functional help in the shape of supports and sport compression socks. These support joints, tendons and ligaments and can even help boost performance. Basketball is a sport in which two teams try to throw an orange ball into the opponent's basket. With plenty of team spirit and victory-oriented tactics, it is also possible to snatch victory in the last few seconds. This makes the game very exciting and is one of the reasons why basketball is becoming ever more popular in Germany too. The German basketball league is attracting more and more spectators to the arenas. In 2013, almost 1.5 million visitors attended 334 games - more than ever before (source: sport1/German language). The number of active fans is also growing continually. The German Basketball Association (DBB) counts over 190,000 members (source: FIBA).
A sport for letting off steam
The Canadian doctor and teacher James Naismith invented the game of basketball for his students about 125 years ago. He wanted to offer them an indoor sport, with which they could let off steam during the winter. To do this, he hung peach baskets up in the gym and laid down 13 basic rules (source: Wikipedia). Today sports scientists are unanimous: basketball promotes quick reactions, a feeling for the ball, orientation, concentration and dexterity. The many sprints improve endurance and co-ordination. Throwing trains the muscles of the arms, shoulders, legs and bottom. It also makes you more slender. Playing for just one hour easily burns off 500 calories (source: dunkorthree.com).
Caution - risk of injury
As a ballgame, basketball provides plenty of action. It also involves a certain risk of injury. Sprained finger joints and wrists are common. Furthermore, due to the height of the jumps up to the basket, a player can easily twist his/her ankle and injure an ankle joint or the ligaments. The knee is also at risk. (Source: TK)
The right gear for basketball
It is enormously important to warm up properly before the game to prevent injuries. The right shoes can also protect you. Good basketball shoes reach up to above the ankle. Professionals often wear additional supports such as medi’s Levamed active with strap. These stabilise the ankle joint and protect the ankles. They also improve proprioception. This is how the body senses its position and movements in space. The compression mobilises more receptors in our skin. This can achieve improved muscular control and stabilisation of the joints.
Effective therapy add-ons
The ankle joint orthosis M.step from medi is most helpful for sprains and strains or torn ligaments in the foot. It stabilises the joint and provides additional protection for the ankle. Manumed active has the same effect on sprained wrists.
If your knee joint is unstable and you have minor meniscus injuries, the soft brace Stabimed pro offers the support required for everyday activities. The flat hinges built into pockets prevent the knee joint being bent beyond a certain angle. These are particularly suitable for contact sports like basketball.
Higher performance with compression
There is probably no other ball sport in which styling is as important as basketball. The standard apparel includes wide shorts, sleeveless jerseys and professional shoes – preferably in bright colours. Many professionals, such as the players in the German league team medi bayreuth, also swear by the effect of the CEP compression sportsocks. The CEP team sports socks look stylish and have been developed especially for ball and team sports. The principle of action is very simple: a defined compression pressure accelerates the blood circulation, which can lead to more energy, endurance and higher performance. The sock also stabilises muscles and joints which, together with the improved circulation, prevents injuries. The negative effects of stop-and-go movements are considerably weakened and the completely padded foot prevents blisters. Basketball players, who use medi compression technology, but prefer to wear their familiar socks, reach for the CEP Calf Sleeves. These calf socks have a similar effect to the team sports socks, but can be combined with conventional sportsocks. With these, both professional and amateur players are best equipped for the next season.