Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the kinematics and kinetics of successful versus
unsuccessful basketball free throw shots. Six professional basketball players (age= 23±2.09 years members
of Iranian premier basketball league participat in test. Kinematics of arm motion during basketball free throws
were recorded by two Casio zr200 camera in frequency of 240 Hz. Wilcoxon test was used for significant
differences between successful versus unsuccessful free throws (p ≤ 0/05). Angular velocity of the wrist was
found to be significantly higher in successful versus unsuccessful shots at the time of ball release (p ≤ 0/028).
Wrist (p ≤ 0/008) and shoulder (p ≤ 0/023) joints were found to have significantly more flexion in successful
versus unsuccessful shots while elbow (p ≤ 0/002) remained significantly less flexed in successful shots.
Angular displacement of wrist (p ≤ 0/034) and elbow (p ≤ 0/004) was shown to be significantly greater in
successful versus unsuccessful shots. Integrated EMG of Anterior Deltoid (AD), Triceps Brachii (TB) and
Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR) muscles was more in successful free throw versus unsuccessful free throw, but
the only significant difference was observed in the Integrated EMG of the Triceps Brachii muscle (p ≤ 0/034).
In summery, increasing the wrist angular velocity and activity of triceps brachii muscle affected successful
free throws.

Support foot position is one of the important factors which can affect instep kick quality and ankle joint injury. The aims of this study were to examine the support foot parameters in maximal instep kicking with the preferred and the non-preferred leg and research on risk factors for ankle joint injury in amateur futsal players. In this semi experimental study, twelve young and novice futsal players performed maximal speed place kicks with the preferred and the non-preferred leg. Average of the subjects individual characteristic have contained, age : 21/2±1/5 years, weight : 67/6±5/5 Kg and height :176±4/2 cm. Athletes were kicking the ball towards the goal from 10 meters. amount of support foot pressure were calculated at 300 Hz. To calculate injury of ankle joint, Forces, impulses, position of the fixed leg and maximum pressure of the lateral and medial portions of the foots were determined. Results indicated a significant difference in amount of subtalar joint range of motion. Higher range of motion in dominant leg were caused by a greater flexibility and coordination in this side of the body. In addition there were no significant different in impact of anterior, middle and posterior portion of fixed legs between two support foot. In contrast the maximum pressure in lateral side of non-preferred leg, was significantly more than other foot. In addition, the maximum force in non-preferred leg occurred prior then other foot. These problems can exacerbate ankle injury risk. Because the subjects were novice and they do not have appropriate neuromuscular coordination, can’t show a good movement pattern in non preferred leg. Hence, the absence of neuromuscular coordination can lead to energy loss and high pressure coming into the body, especially the feet and it can exacerbate injuries.  In a nutshell, amateur subjects indicated higher quality of­ biomechanical parameters in support foot of the preferred leg. Also likelihood of ankle sprain in dominant foot was less than other. Also generalization of these results to semi-professional and professional players, need further research.