Kinematic assessment of the vertical jump in young basketball players

Problem statement Jumping is a Fundamental Movement Skill and a milestone for motor development. It is well known that this performance relates to the features of the considered population. In the sport practice, the jump is a component to assess physical abilities. Furthermore, basketball players are exposed to many injuries because of the jump rate, such as ankle or knee sprains. Approach Sixty young basketball players aged between 8.3 and 12.6 years (37 males, 23 females) participated in this study. An ecologic assessment protocol to investigate the specific vertical jump pattern of this sample was set up in the basketball gyms. An anamnestic questionnaire, BMI, and kinematic assessment were used. Purpose The aim of this cross-sectional study is to describe the specific kinematic jumping pattern in young basketball players. Results Data support the importance of a child-specific kinematics analysis of the vertical jump. The lower quadriceps strength and the larger flexibility of ankles in children justify the large involvement of this joint during the vertical jump (down 25.3°, up 24.1°, flight 7.4°, landing 26.4°). Multiple linear regression demonstrates that the movement of the hip during flight is significantly influenced by age (p-value=0.04), especially in males (p-value=0.02). In addition, the movement of the knee during flight is significantly related to BMI in males (p-value=0.01). Conclusions New data about the specific jumping pattern of young basketball players are provided to create adapted and appropriated prevention protocols. Young basketball players show a specific immature motor pattern during the vertical jump.