The effects of size and weight on basketball free throw performance : a biomechanical analysis of unskilled college women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two different sizes and weights of basketballs on free throw shooting performance on unskilled women. The subjects (n=8) were unskilled women, selected from Ball State University's Physical Education classes. A biomechanical analysis procedure of the angle of projectile, velocity of projection, vertical displacement of mass and ball center and velocity of center of mass, all at release was employed. Subjects were filmed with a 16mm camera (64 f/s) while taking the AAHPER Foul Shot Basketball Skills Test. The film was analyzed with the aid of a digitizer interface VAX computer. Twenty-three points were digitized for each subject. The free throw shooting percentage for the smaller basketball was 17.5 % and 21.2 % with the regulation basketball. The angles of the right and left hand, wrist, elbow, lower and upper arms were not found to be significantly different between experimental conditions. The findings suggest that the different sizes and weights of basketballs have no significant effect on the angles of projectile, velocity of projection, vertical displacement of mass and ball center, and velocity of center of mass at release involved in the free throw shooting of unskilled college women. Statistical analysis of foul shot ability indicated no significant difference between weight and size of basketballs.