Muscle activation time and free-throw effectiveness in basketball

Paweł Pakosz,Mariusz Konieczny,Dawid Bączkowicz,Przemysław Domaszewski

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-87001-8

Paweł Pakosz, Mariusz Konieczny + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87001-8

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Apr 5, 2021
Citations: 7	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Opole University of Technology

Abstract

This study attempts to analyze the relationship between free-throw efficiency and the time of arm muscle activation in players from 3 basketball teams with different levels of experience was investigated. During the experiment each player made 20 free throws during which the activation time of his right and left biceps and triceps brachii muscles were measured with the use of surface electromyography and high-speed cameras. Significant differences in muscle activation time (t) during a free throw were found between the groups of basketball players (p = 0.038) (novices: t = 0.664 ± 0.225 s, intermediate-level players: t = 1.15 ± 0.146 s, experts: t = 1.01 ± 0.388 s). In the right triceps brachii muscle in expert basketball players the coefficient of variation (CV) amounted to 44.60% at 81% efficiency, and in novices to 27.12% at 53% efficiency. The time of arm muscle activation during a free throw and its fluctuations vary along with the training experience of basketball players. In all studied groups of players, the variability of muscle activation time in accurate free throws is greater than in inaccurate free throws. Free-throw speed is irrelevant for free-throw efficiency.

Highlights

This study attempts to analyze the relationship between free-throw efficiency and the time of arm muscle activation in players from 3 basketball teams with different levels of experience was investigated
The basketball players need to focus on the understanding of the optimal conditions of free-throw performance so they should know the degree of ball release angle, where the ball should be aimed, how much backspin should be put on the ball, whether it is advantageous to release the ball higher above the ground, how to make the throw quickly, and other key elements necessary for the mastery of the most effective free-throwing technique[2]
The study results demonstrated significant interpersonal differences in the duration of free throws, which suggests that basketball players use very different techniques to achieve the same goal[8,33]

Summary

Introduction

This study attempts to analyze the relationship between free-throw efficiency and the time of arm muscle activation in players from 3 basketball teams with different levels of experience was investigated. Using high-speed cameras Ogawa et al.[9], investigated the relationship between free-throw accuracy and anthropometry, physical fitness tests and performance variables. They showed that basketball players with a shorter and less fluctuating pre-shot routine, i.e. time taken, minimum angle when taking the ball back, angle at ball release, angular displacement during the forward arm swing, and angular velocity at ball release on the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle, demonstrated a higher accuracy of free throws. It should be noted that the effectiveness of free throws can be influenced by player’s fatigue[12], but not necessarily in high-level p layers[13]

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