Architectural Characteristics of Leg Extensors Muscles and Jumping Ability of Basketball Players

Ourania Miroti,1 Vasiliki Manou,2 Stavros Tasopoulos,1 Nikos Stavropoulos,3 & Spiros Kellis1

1Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellas

2Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

3Department of Physical Education & Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellas

Abstract

Jumping ability is very important in basketball performance and requires to generating high velocity of shortening which is determined by muscle architectural characteristics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the architectural characteristics of leg extensors muscles of adults and junior basketball players and the investigation of their relationship with jumping ability. Adults (n=34) and junior (n=25) basketball play- ers participate in this study. It was evaluated pennation angle, muscle thickness, fascicle length and relative fascicle length of vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis and investigated the relationship of muscles architectural characteristics with jumping ability parameters. The results reveled that there were strong positive correlations of muscle thickness and fascicle length with vertical jumps parame- ters in examined muscles, and pennation angles of gastrocnemius medialis with jumping ability. In conclu- sion, muscle thickness and fascicle length have an important role in vertical jumping performance.

Keywords: basketball, ultrasound, fascicle length, pennation angle