Abstract

Purpose. The study compared the performance of basketball jump shots between children and adults. Methods. A kinematic analysis was used to evaluate shots performance (2D; sagittal plane; 100 Hz). A biomechanical model (6 points and 4 body segments) provided the shoulder, elbow, and wrist angular displacements and velocities. Results. Children performed simultaneous movements of the shoulder-elbow-wrist joints to release the ball. Adults executed a countermovement around the elbow and wrist, but with greater constraint around the shoulder joint. This strategy may have allowed adults to achieve higher release, smaller variability, and better accuracy. Conclusions. Differences in performance between adults and children were explained by the participants’ physical characteristics and time of practice (experience). Key words: free-throw, basketball, kinematics, motor control, biomechanics

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