EFFECTS OF PERCEIVED NELROMUSCULAR FATIGUE ON KINEMATIC VARIABLES OF THE BASKETBALL JUMP SHOT

Abstract

The success of a jump shot in the game of basketball depends on reaching optimal height in the air as quickly as possible. Additionally, success depends on the player's ability to maintain consistency of the shot throughout the course of a 40-minute game. Given the intensity of a typical college game, what happens when fatigue sets in? To answer this question, 14 skilled, male basketball players performed 5 consecutive jump shots under the conditions of non-fatigue (NF) and perceived fatigue (PF). PF was assessed using Borg's category rating scale for perceived exertion. Each subject reported his rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after pedaling a bicycle ergometer at his maximal level for 30 seconds at a predetermined resistance. At a reported RPE of 18, the subject performed the second set of jump shots in the PF condition. 'The jump shots performed in the NF and PF conditions were filmed with a Peak5 video camera and analyzed with Peak5 system software. Paired sample t-tests were performed to compare the selected kinematic parameters in the NF and PF conditions. The results of this study indicated that when the subjects perceived themselves as fatigued, vertical displacement was significantly decreased (p < .0035, adjusted for Type I error according to the Bonferroni Inequality test). Kinematic, but not statistical differences were found in the knee flexion prior to the shot, center of mass vertical velocity, and forearm angle at release. All of these decreased in the fatigued state. However, the players were able to maintain the same ball velocity and ball angle at release. It was concluded that the major change during the fatigued state was the loss in the height of the jump. This conceivably could allow an opponent a greater opportunity to defend the shot. Players could minimize potential problems associated with fatigue by concentrating on maintaining an ideal ball angle and ball velocity at release. Coaches and trainers could design weight training programs which would address the issue of maintaining leg strength and power over the course of a game.