The aims of this study were to assess differences in VGRF (vertical ground reaction force) and joint kinematics during landings performed by a group of elite male basketball players, and to investigate changes in the VGRF and joint kinematics following a fatiguing training session. (from: Proceedings of the First Australasian Biomechanics Conference; ISBN 0 86758 999 X) These results highlight the individual nature of landing performance strategies and support the use of within subject design recommended by Dufek & Bates(1992). Trends in changes in VGRF and joint kinematics following the fatiguing training session were noted, but were not statistically significant in most cases. These included increased peak VGRF (six subjects), increased hip joint (six subjects) and knee joint (seven subjects) angular position at contact, and increased maximum joint angular displacement of the knee (five subjects). Ankle joint angular position at contact was identified as a factor influencing the magnitude of peak VGRF, yet there was little change in this parameter during post-training trials. It is possible the changes in kinematic patterns of the hip and knee joints reflect strategies adopted by subjects to attenuate the larger peak VGRF generated following the fatiguing training session.
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