Contribution of whole-body momentum regulation towards jump height differences in two-foot running jumps with and without a basketball

Two-foot running jumps (TFRJs) are frequently performed by basketball players with or without a basketball, but the effects of ball control on jump performance and whole-body momentum regulation are unknown. We examined the differences between TFRJ with and without a ball in initial and takeoff center of mass (COM) vertical velocities and net upward impulse. Fifteen male and six female recreational to college-level basketball players performed TFRJs with and without ball towards an adjustable hoop. Jump height was computed as vertical jump displacement from takeoff COM upward velocity. Linear mixed models were used to compare jump height and contributing variables across conditions. Group results revealed lower jump heights, lower net upward impulses, and lower second leg upward impulses (each comparison p < 0.001) during TFRJs with versus without a ball. Within-participant results revealed a mixture of contributing factors to lower jump heights across participants, and three did not exhibit significant differences in jump heights across jumping conditions. Compared to TFRJs without ball, eighteen participants had lower jump heights during TFRJ with a ball, fourteen participants generated less net upward impulse due to less first leg or second leg upward impulse generation, or an increase in the downward impulse due to bodyweight (via increased ground contact duration and/or lower average upward ground reaction forces), and five participants had faster initial downward COM velocity due to differences in the running approach during TFRJ with a ball. These participant-specific contributions to jump height during differing TFRJ tasks provide meaningful motor control contexts to inform coaching.