Abstract
The aim of this study was to find the optimal basketball athletic stance which will enable the fastest subsequent action. We compared the reaction (RT), movement (MT), and total response (RST) times of a single leg lateral step, performed from starting positions and differentiating in three different heights and two different stance widths. RMANOVA results showed that the RSTs obtained during wide stance positions were clearly shorter when compared to the times obtained during narrow stances (p = 0.000). Interaction of the height (knee angle) and width of stance was also found significant (p = 0.048), while the effect of the height of the stance alone was not (p = 0.098). Similar results were found for MT, while no differences were found for RT. Width of the stance therefore clearly brings about different RSTs; a wide feet position enabled shorter MT when compared to a narrow position and consequently shorter RST, probably due to a more advantageous starting position for lateral movements and due to laws of joint and muscle mechanics. The basic athletic stance with feet double shoulder distance apart and a medium (120°) and small (150°) knee flexion was found optimal in enabling the quickest lateral movement response.
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