Players of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's favourite sport have taken up mass gymnastics to improve their performance

Basketballers at Kim Chaek University of Technology were filmed going through warm-up exercises to music.

"After doing the rhythmic warm-up exercise, my body flexibility got better and I feel like the ball is one with my body when I'm dribbling," player Rim Kuk Hyon said.

Image: Basketball players using gymnastics techniques in Pyongyang

The exercise regime has been created by the Korean Mass Gymnastic Production Company, which has also lent its skills to the nation's soccer players.

"If athletes do warm-up exercises listening to the music, it is much easier to raise their level mentally, technically and physically," choreographer O Hye Song said.


Image: Kim Jong-Un watches a basketball game with Dennis Rodman in 2014

Song added the exercises contain various basketball skills such as dribbles, changeovers, offensive and defensive actions which local coaches approve of.

KCNA reported rhythmic exercises will be more widely used for other sports in the future.

NBA star Dennis Rodman's visits to his friend Kim highlighted the sport's importance in the communist state.