The impact of fatigue on the jumping mechanics and injury risk of basketball players

Fatigue can significantly alter an athlete’s biomechanics and performance, which can increase their risk of injury. Important basketball moves like jump shots (JS) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) primarily use the muscles in the lower back and lower limbs. Basketball players’ jumping mechanics, performance, and risk of injury during CMJ, JS, and ankle sprains were all examined. A total of 415 male collegiate basketball players participated in the league, this season representing varying levels of jumping mechanics. Surface electromyography, a force plate, and a 3D motion analysis system were used to gather data. Field-goal percentage, the center of mass’s (CM) lowest point, joint angles during takeoff and landing, and Electromyography data from the lower leg muscles, erector spinae limbal, and rectus femoris were among the parameters that were recorded. Lower back muscle tiredness was created, and performance was evaluated after the fatigue. Data was analyzed using SPSS, with paired-sample t-tests, logistic, and Multiple Regression tests employed to examine the impact of fatigue on performance and injury risk. These tests assessed how fatigue affects shooting accuracy and joint angles, and increases the chance of injuries in basketball players. Following a period of tiredness, athletes’ field-goal percentages significantly decreased, whereas their CM lowest point increased on jump shots. In both CMJ and JS, fatigue leads to reduced knee flexion angles and increased ankle plantar flexion during landing, changing the contribution ratio of both legs. Due to impaired mechanics, these biomechanical changes suggest an increased probability of ankle sprains and an elevated risk of damage, especially during landing. The risk of lower back, knee, and ankle injuries increased due to major athletic impairments and altered landing mechanics caused by lower back muscular fatigue. To reduce basketball players’ risk of injury, these data highlight how crucial it is to address fatigue in training and recovery plans.