Dynamic decision-making in basketball jump shots: exploring parallel processing of shooting and passing

Abstract Previous literature has proposed that parallel processing theories can be used to describe the architecture of human information processing. However, it remains uncertain whether these theories apply to decision-making involving movement effectors. This study conducted a field simulation experiment to replicate a basketball player’s decision to switch from a shoot to a pass during a jump shot. In Experiment 1, which examined the effect of changes in the severity of time constraints on the changes in the switching success rate, we found that shooters can switch from a shoot to a pass, even when temporal limits are exceeded, which supports the application of parallel processing principles to human movement dynamics. In Experiment 2, which confirmed the reflection of parallelism in information systems on the movement effectors, we observed strategies in which players paused their elbow joint angle in mid-air and delayed ball release during goal switches, indicating a parallel processing approach. These results exemplify how humans prepare to make two movements with different goals in parallel, which can be transferred to either movement if the movements are differentiated on the way from a common motion. These findings advance our understanding of how human cognition and motor control are intricately linked. By illustrating how parallel processing underlies flexible motor strategies, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that allow humans to adapt to changing environments and make split-second decisions during complex movements. Furthermore, these insights offer new directions for future research on decision-making models that integrate cognitive processing and motor execution in real-world dynamic contexts, refining our theoretical understanding of human adaptability.