(14) KINEMATICS OF SHOOTING CHARACTERISTICS IN ADULT WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ATHLETES, MAKES VS. MISSES

Purpose: Wheelchair basketball (WCB) is one of the most popular paralympic sports. Shooting two-point shots is the most common method to score in WCB matches. Shooting kinematic analysis is a common tool for coaches to improve in-game shooting performance for able-bodied basketball. However, limited data exists regarding shooting kinematic characteristics within the WCB population. On average, about two-thirds of all the field goals taken in a game were two-point shots, making shooting kinematic analysis within the population essential for performance assessments. Thus the purpose of the present investigation is to assess shooting kinematic differences in WCB athletes between makes and misses. Methods: Seven male athletes (x̄±SD; age=33.6±8.1 years; sitting height=74.8±7.2 cm; body mass=81.6±14.1 kg) participated in this study. Following a standardized dynamic warm-up, participants took 10 two-point shots (5.10 m) while facing directly to the basket. A video camera recording at 60 fps was positioned 10 m away, perpendicular to the subject’s plane of motion, to record the shooting motion from a sagittal point of view. A video analysis software was used to analyze two-dimensional kinematic parameters, including elbow angle (EA), relative initial ball height (BH) and relative release height (RH), both adjusted by the athlete’s sitting height, release time (T), and release angle (RA). A total of 70 two-point shots were analyzed, and all shots were grouped into the make group and the miss group. Due to data violating the assumption of normality, median and interquartile ranges were reported. Shooting kinematic differences between make and misses were examined using Mann-Whitney U-tests (p < 0.05) for each subject. Results: With the exception of elbow angle for one subject (p=0.04), two-dimensional kinematic parameters analyzed did not show significant differences (p = 0.089 - 1.00) between made and missed shots. Conclusions: Based on the observations of this investigation, successful two-point shot attempts showed no difference in elbow angle, relative release height, release angle, release time, and relative initial ball height compared to unsuccessful ones. Successful field goal attempts in WCB may rely on upper-body joint kinematics or other physical characteristics such as muscular strength and power. Practical Applications: Using video analysis software, kinematic analyses can provide detailed information regarding shooting motion characteristics in WCB athletes. Proper prescription of upper body exercises such as bench pulls by sports performance professionals may assist WCB athletes in shooting performance, as well as other key on court performance indicators. Additional kinematic variables should be considered when assessing optimal two-point shooting technique in WCB populations. Acknowledgements: This research investigation was funded by the Clara Wu and Joseph Tsai Foundation.