1,992 research outputs found

    RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KINEMATIC CHARACTERISTICS AND FREE-THROW SHOOTING PRECISION: MARKERLESS MOTION CAPTURE ANALYSIS

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    The search for aspects of basketball shooting that characterize successful performance is an area of focus for sports biomechanists. However, the systematic evaluation of these key elements during shooting practice is limited due to the time it takes to collect and/or process the data. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between some of the key kinematic variables extracted from a markerless motion capture system on free-throw shot performance. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that shot plane alignment, trunk rotation, entry angle, and timing of elbow extension were some of the key contributors to free-throw shot precision. Overall, these kinematic variables serve as a preliminary set of outcomes that can be reported to coaches and players that decide to use markerless motion capture technology for free-throw shooting biomechanical analysis

    Kinetic and Kinematic Characteristics of Proficient and Non-Proficient 2-Point and 3-Point Basketball Shooters

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    The purpose of this study was to examine kinetic and kinematic characteristics of various types of 2-point and 3-point basketball shooting approaches and determine which variables have the greatest contribution in discriminating proficient (PRO) from non-proficient (N-PRO) shooters. While standing on a force plate, twenty-nine recreationally active males performed a total of 1740 shots by utilizing stationary and step-in shooting approaches. Two high-definition cameras were used to simultaneously capture kinematic parameters of shooting motions. The type of shooting approach showed as a non-influential factor. During the preparatory phase of the shooting motion, PRO 2-point shooters demonstrated higher elbow and basketball height placements, greater flexion in the shoulder and elbow joints while attaining greater release and entry ball angles during the release phase. PRO 3-point shooters demonstrated greater elbow flexion, higher basketball placement, and less hip flexion during the preparatory phase while attaining greater heel, release, and trajectory heights during the release phase. When entered into a full-model discriminant function analysis, elbow angle, elbow height, and release angle variables correctly classified PRO from N-PRO 2-point shooters in 62.1% of cases and hip angle, heel height, and elbow angle variables correctly classified PRO from N-PRO 3-point shooters in 81.6% of cases

    Impact of Distance and Proficiency on Shooting Kinematics in Professional Male Basketball Players

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    Shooting efficiency is one of the key performance parameters related to securing the desired game outcome at various levels of basketball competition, and it is largely influenced by the biomechanical adjustments incorporated during the preparatory and release phase of the shooting motion. Thus, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (a) to examine the differences in the kinematic characteristics between free-throw, two-point, and three-point shots, and (b) to examine the differences between shooters with excellent (≥80%) and good (<80%) levels of shooting proficiency. A total of 10 professional male basketball players performed 5 free-throw (4.57 m), two-point (5.18 m), and three-point (6.75 m) shots, combining for a total of 150 shots. A high-definition camera recording at 120 fps was used to capture the shooting motion from a sagittal point of view, and video analysis software was used to analyze the kinematic variables of interest. The findings of the present study reveal that the kinematic characteristics during the preparatory phase of the shooting motion remain unchanged between free-throw and two-point shots. Three-point shots required lower elbow positioning, influenced by greater knee and hip flexion when compared to free-throw and two-point shots. The release angle was notably lower for shots attempted beyond the three-point line but remained unchanged between the free-throw and two-point shooting motions. Release height and vertical displacement were significantly greater for two- and three-point shots when compared to free-throw shots, while no difference was observed between the two- and three-point shots. In addition, no significant differences in shooting kinematics were observed between those participants with excellent and good levels of shooting proficiency

    The effect of ball size and basket height on the mechanics of the basketball free throw as performed by seventh grade boys

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    The purpose of this study was to analyze the mechanics of the basketball free throw as performed by 13 seventh grade boys. A regulation and an intermediate sized basketball in combination with a 10-foot and an 8-foot basket were used. Two LoCam cameras, each operating at a film transport speed of 100 fps, provided simultaneous, non-synchronous sagittal and frontal views of repeated trials. Two successful trials per subject under each of the four environmental conditions were digitized with a Numonics digitizer interfaced to an Apple II+ microcomputer. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p = .05) for the main effect of basket height and non-significant differences (p &gt; .05) for the main effect of ball size for the following kinematic parameters: (a) the angle of projection of the basketball, (b) the release angle of the shoulder, (c) the starting angle of the elbow, and (d) the forearm in relation to the vertical at ball release. Significant interaction effects (p = .05) between ball size, basket height, and the individual subjects were also revealed for some of the aforementioned kinematic parameters

    Visual exploratory activity in youth soccer players

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    Scaling the pitch for junior cricketers

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    Although cricket is played around the world by all ages, very little attention has been focused on junior cricket. The research presented here evaluated the effects on junior cricket of reducing the pitch length, developed a method for scaling the pitch to suit the players and applied this method to the under-11 age group. In the first of four studies it was established that shortening the cricket pitch had positive effects for bowlers, batters and fielders at both club and county standards, consequently resulting in matches that were more engaging. The second study found that top under-10 and under-11 seam bowlers released the ball on average 3.4° further below horizontal on a 16 yard pitch compared with a 19 yard pitch. This was closer to elite adult pace bowlers release angles and should enable junior players to achieve greater success and develop more variety in their bowling. The third study calculated where a good length delivery should be pitched to under-10 and under-11 batters in order to provoke uncertainty, and also examined the influence of pitch length on batters decisions to play front or back foot shots according to the length of the delivery. A shorter pitch should strengthen the coupling between the perception of delivery length and appropriate shot selection, and the increased task demand should lead to improved anticipation; both are key features of skilled batting. In the final study a method of calculating the optimal pitch length for an age group was developed which used age-specific bowling and batting inputs. This was applied to scale the pitch for under-11s giving a pitch length of 16.22 yards (14.83 m), 19% shorter than previously recommended for the age group by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Scaled in this way across the junior age groups, pitch lengths would fit the players better as they develop, enabling more consistent ball release by bowlers and temporal demands for batters, as well as greater involvement for fielders

    Constraints on movement variability during a discrete multi-articular action

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    The aim of this programme of work was to examine how the manipulation of organismic and task constraints affected movement variability during a basketball shooting task. The specific constraints that were manipulated included task expertise, state anxiety and dioptric blur (organismic constraints), and, shooting distance and attentional focus instruction (task constraints). The aim of Study 1 was to investigate the effect of shooting distance and task expertise on movement variability. Task expertise was characterised by decreased coordination variability and heightened compensatory variability between wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. However, no significant difference was found in joint angle variability at release as a function of task expertise. There was no significant change in movement variability with shooting distance, a finding that was consistent across all expertise groups. In Study 2, the aims were to examine the effect of induced dioptric blur on shooting performance and movement variability during basketball free-throw shooting, and, to ascertain whether task expertise plays a mediating role in the capacity to stabilise performance against impaired visual information. Significant improvements in shooting performance were noted with the introduction of moderate visual blur (+1.00 and +2.00 D). This performance change was evident in both expert and novice performers. Only with the onset of substantial dioptric blur (+3.00 D), equivalent to the legal blindness limit, was there a significant decrease in coordination variability. Despite the change in coordination variability at +3.00 D, there was no significant difference in shooting performance when compared to the baseline condition. The aims of Study 3 were to examine the effect of elevated anxiety on shooting performance and movement variability and, again, to determine whether task expertise plays a mediating role in stabilising performance and movement kinematics against perturbation from emotional fluctuations. Commensurate with the results of Study 2, both expert and novice performers were able to stabilise performance and movement kinematics, this time with elevated anxiety. Stabilisation was achieved through the allocation of additional attentional resources to the task. Study 4, had two aims. The first was to examine the interactive effects of practice and focus of attention on both performance and learning of an accuracy-based, discrete multi-articular action. The second was to identify potential focus-dependent changes on joint kinematics, intra-limb coordination and coordination variability. Support was found for the role of an external focus of attention on shooting performance during both acquisition and retention. However, there was evidence to suggest that internal focus instruction could play a pivotal role in shaping emerging patterns of intra-limb coordination and channelling the learners‟ search towards a smaller range of kinematic solutions within the perceptual-motor workspace. Collectively, this programme of work consistently highlighted the fundamental role that constraints play in governing shooting performance, movement variability and, more broadly, perceptual-motor organisation. For instance, task expertise was characterised by decreased coordination variability and heightened compensatory control. However, in light of the data pertaining to joint angle variability at release, general assumptions about expertise-variability relations cannot be made and should be viewed with caution. In addition, there is strong evidence to suggest that adaptation to constraints is, perhaps, a universal human response, and consequently not mediated by task expertise. Further research is needed to fully elucidate this proposition

    Sports Performance and Health

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    Sports performance is primarily associated with elite sport, however, recreational athletes are increasingly attempting to emulate elite athletes. Performance optimization is distinctly multidisciplinary. Optimized training concepts and the use of state-of-the-art technologies are crucial for improving performance. However, sports performance enhancement is in constant conflict with the protection of athletes’ health. Notwithstanding the known positive effects of physical activity on health, the prevention and management of sports injuries remain major challenges to be addressed. Accordingly, this Special Issue on "Sports Performance and Health" consists of 17 original research papers, one review paper, and one commentary, and covers a wide range of topics related to fatigue, movement asymmetries, optimization of sports performance by training, technique, and/or tactics enhancements, prevention and management of sports injuries, optimization of sports equipment to increase performance and/or decrease the risk of injury, and innovations for sports performance, health, and load monitoring. As this Special Issue offers several new insights and multidisciplinary perspectives on sports performance and health, readers from around the world who work in these areas are expected to benefit from this Special Issue collection
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