STUDY ON THE CHANGES OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR -1 (IGF-I), CORTISOL AND FEMALE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL PLAYERS PERFORMANCE AFTER 8 WEEKS UPPER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING

Wheelchair basketball players rely on upper body strength. It is well established
that strength training potentiates muscle hypertrophy and improves strength. But the anabolic and
catabolic effects of upper body strength training have not yet been studied in female wheelchair
basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 8 week upper body
strength training on serum IGF-1 and cortisol, and performance in female wheelchair basketball players.
Materials & Methods: Materials and methods: 18 female wheelchair basketball players volunteered
(age=29.51±2.6 years, weight =66.35±14.59 kg) to participate in this study. They were randomly
assigned into either a control (regular wheelchair basketball training) or an experimental (regular
wheelchair basketball training+ upper body strength training) group. Either group participated in an
8week training program. Pre and post exercise serum IGF-1, cortisol and also performance tests results
were analyzed using independent t- test, dependent t- test and covariance.
Results: There were no significant differences between group in post-test IGF-1 , cortisol and
performance test( penalty shoot, left and right side shoot and three point shoot), except baseball style
throwing which was significantly better in the experimental group than the control(P<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on these results it can be said that upper body strength training can improve strength
dependent skills in wheelchair basketball players, but does not result any significant anabolic and
catabolic effects