Technical Breakdown of the Movement
Preparation
The muscles in the limbs, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, are employed mainly during the preparation period. The big muscle group in the front of the thigh, known as the quadriceps, is in charge of stretching the knee and bending the leg. The hamstrings are in charge of bending the leg and flexing the knee. The glutes stabilize the lower back and pelvis, which also stretches the hip. The muscles contract in the midline during this stage, causing them to move forward and backward.
Execution
The hip flexors are the primary muscle group used during the execution phase. The iliopsoas and rectus femoris are some of these muscles that elevate the thigh and knee toward the chest. These muscles must contract to generate the force required to lift the player off the floor and begin the leap. The axis rotates mainly around the cross-sectional axis while the muscle lengthens in the sagittal plane.
Follow-Through
The hip extensors are the primary muscle group in the follow-through phase—the buttocks. The adductor magnus and hamstrings are the muscles that stretch the hip and knee and generate the force required for the jump. The player is propelled into the air by the power produced when these muscles contract. The axis rotates mainly around the transverse axis while the pressure builds up in the sagittal plane.
Landing
In the landing phase, the primary muscle groups are the gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus. Muscles located in the calf are responsible for controlling the landing and absorbing the impact of the jump. Additionally, they contract to control the player’s descent and cushion the blow as they land. Typically, they contract in the sagittal plane, and the axis rotation is mainly around the transverse axis.
Environmental and Equipment Influence on the Movement
A basketball player’s movement can be significantly affected by changing the materials around them, such as the court’s surface or footwear. When playing on a wooden court, for instance, there may be less force on the joints and a lower risk of injury than when playing on a more rigid surface, such as concrete. Shoes with additional grip or cushioning may also hinder an athlete’s swift and comfortable movement capacity. These alterations may affect the athlete’s overall performance, speed, and agility.