Muscle Movement in Basketball Slam Dunk - Research Paper Example

Muscle movement in basketball slam dunk Introduction What is all basketball about? A fancy footwork amazes us with incredible space jumps; so-called slam dunk is a mysterious goal which each of us wants to reach. In this research paper we’ll consider how to slam dunk; discuss groups of muscles used in slam dunk. Moreover we’ll make our discussion specific and start from the initial jump of the player muscles’ action while lifting the ball and putting it through the hoop until completion of the jump in landing. 6 steps to successful slam dunk First of all in order to slam dunk it is necessary to develop muscles and joints elasticity, reach greater blood flow to muscles. For this purpose stretch is of high importance while warmed muscles and supporting structures are better contracted. Moreover, not only physical issues are important for jump, but work of our minds play great role too. Abstract your mind and let your muscles work. Then, lower your body and be prepared for lift off; prepare arms and lower back before jump through pointing toes toward knees and start off motion (Slam Dunk Science). Forward momentum occurs and the body easily takes off. The abovementioned 6 steps will add to vertical jump 4-6 inches. Nevertheless we’ll focus all our efforts on group of muscles which work in slam dunk directly. Stretching of hamstring leads to contraction of quadriceps, which is the basic component of jump. The following groups of muscles have to be stretched: the Quads, Hamstring, Calves, Anterior Tibialis and other muscles (Slam dunk Science). A full body stretch lead to a contraction, additional blood flow and energy supply. Consequently, we can conclude that muscles’ development is crucial in jump. Moreover, we’d remember that height of a jump depends on push from the floor. Strength of jumper’s muscles depends on flexibility and stretch. Moreover, jump will be intensified if legs were pulled up in jump (like Jordan did). As far as we can see, such muscle groups as quadriceps (large muscle in front of the thighs), hamstrings (large muscle behind the thigh), gluteals (a gluteus muscle in the buttocks), and calves (large lump of muscle in the lower leg) have to be developed. Their importance can be explained by their functions in the jump: the quadriceps help in knee extension; the hamstrings and gluteals are responsible for hip extension. The ankle is flexed by the calves (How to slam dunk). Therefore, those muscle groups that require flexibility (hamstrings and hip flexors) should be properly worked at and developed. Moreover strong and tight hamstrings play a crucial role in the process of knee extension during jump and hip flexors prevent hip extension stage of the jump (How to slam dunk). General overview of group muscles involved in slam dunk If we consider all muscle groups involved in the jump, we can sum up the main functions and explain why one or another muscle group is responsible for the jump. Let us pay our attention to the whole body. We can see that its weight contents 40-50% of muscles (Increase vertical jump). We should pay our attention not only to the muscle groups that work in slam dunk, but to take into consideration general functions of other muscle groups, because in one way or another, directly or indirectly their influence is essential in slum dunk. Thus we can summarize that muscle groups represented in three main groups: skeletal muscle, cardiac and smooth muscle (Increase vertical jump). The main group of muscles is a skeletal muscle. Our motion is directly connected with this group. This group of muscles is also divided into two groups: the fast-twitch and the slow-twitch muscles (Increase vertical jump). Moreover in order to slam dunk besides flexible and well-developed muscles, it is necessary to be endowed with further features: 1) Height more than 6 feet 2) well developed bending skills 3) tight and flexible hips, thighs and calves 4) ability to grasp the ball with a palm (Increase vertical jump). Further on, let us turn our attention to the important role of muscles in slam dunk. Successful leapers should work at strong hip, abdominal and upper body muscles (Increase vertical jump). Thus tight hips will additionally assist you in leg extension and forwarding your body. Well- trained abdominal muscles and muscles of your upper part of the body will be helpful in successful throwing yourself in the air. Therefore if we combine all these actions, we’ll reach a strong spurt and forward motion. Of course, the ability to grasp the ball with your palm is also of high relevance, because the ball can help to take you up in the air too! As far as we can see, the ability to slam dunk is a complex motion of muscle groups with the involvement of proper motion of the body. Step-by-step consideration of slam dunk The process of slam dunk starts from the moment a player starts to jump from the floor. At this stage in case a player is right-handed, he assists himself with right leg. Muscle groups that work in the first stage of slam dunk are: 10% Hips 50% Quadriceps 15% Calves 15% Hamstrings 10% Arms (Increase vertical jump) When he reaches the basket, a player’s supporting leg holds the weight of the whole body and stops horizontal inertia of a run-up (Chu, 1998). Consequently, muscles of leg are stretched and further on eccentrically contracted. Nerves contract the muscles (concentric contraction) and prevent player from knee buckle and falling. Though it is necessary to underline that successful dunkers are aware of energy store in eccentric phase of muscle contraction and about that this energy is released in the phase of concentric contraction (Chu, 1998). Consequently in the moment when the player is ‘in the air’, energy stored in muscles is released as promptly as possible thus his landing is soft and no collapse occurs. Conclusion We can conclude that muscles’ development is crucial in jump. Moreover, we’d remember that height of a jump depends on push from the floor. Strength of jumper’s muscles depends on flexibility and stretch. Moreover, jump will be intensified if legs were pulled up in jump (like Jordan did). As far as we can see, such muscle groups as quadriceps (large muscle in front of the thighs), hamstrings (large muscle behind the thigh), gluteals (a gluteus muscle in the buttocks), and calves (large lump of muscle in the lower leg) have to be developed. Their importance can be explained by their functions in the jump: the quadriceps help in knee extension; the hamstrings and gluteals are responsible for hip extension. Muscle groups that require flexibility (hamstrings and hip flexors) should be properly worked at and developed. Strong and tight hamstrings play a crucial role in the process of knee extension during jump and hip flexors prevent hip extension stage of the jump In order to successfully slam dunk it is desirable to know ‘how it works’. Being aware of muscles that work in slam dunk will be a helpful theoretical background and in the process of training each group of muscles will be developed in accordance with its role in slam dunk. Works cited 1. Chu, Donald. (1998). Jumping into plyometrics. Human Kinetics. 2. How to increase vertical jump? Retrieved March 23, 2010 from: http://www.criticalbench.com/increase-vertical-jump.htm 3. How to slam dunk? Retrieved March 23, 2010 from: http://www.wikihow.com/Dunk 4. Slam Dunk Science. Retrieved March 23, 2010 from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/1111-slam_dunk_science.htm 5. The secret to slam dunking. Retrieved March 23, 2010 from: http://www.squidoo.com/slamdunk 6. Jump Higher, Increase Vertical Leap & Slam Dunk...Can Anyone Do It? Retrieved March 23, 2010 from: http://www.globalsportscoaching.com/strength-power.php Appendix I Muscles responsible for successful slam dunk. Read More