|
|
Exercise Physiology – The Basketball Foul Shot 1. The Skeletal System The Basketball foul shot is used when a player is fouled whilst shooting, and is given two free shots without defence. In order for a player to perform the foul shot, the axial skeleton (consisting of: the skull, the spine, and the thorax) and the appendicular skeleton (consisting of: the shoulder girdle, arms, wrists, hands, legs and feet) need to work together in order to gain the best result from the shot. In the body, there are three different types of joints. There are fibrous joints, cartilagenous joints, and synovial joints. Fibrous joints are located within the axial skeleton where bones are joined together by fibrous tissues and no movement is allowed. Cartilagenous joints are located in the spine (see figure 1) (these bones are known as irregular bones) between each vertabra where movement is at a minimal. Synovial joints main feature is the amount of mobility that is allowed. Synovial joints also have many other attributes, which helps movement without friction1. Hyaline cartilage is one characteristic of the synovial joint, which covers the articular surfaces of the bone protecting the bone tissue, and helps to reduce friction between the bones. The second is the articular capsule, which blends with the periosteum of the bone and is only split by blood vessels and nerves. The capsule is strong and provides support to the joint, and stops any material unwanted. The synovial membrane is located inside of the capsule, which doesn’t cover the hyaline cartilage, and its purpose is to produce synovial fluid. The synovial fluid lubricates the articulating surfaces, cushions surfaces, provides nutrients for the hyaline cartilage, and absorbs debris that is produced by friction between joint surfaces. Ligaments are another characteristic, which controls the joint stability and movement. Pads of fat fill the cervices in and around the joints to form a cushion for protection. Bursae are filled with synovial fluid located wherever there is friction. Bursitis is when the bursae are inflamed as a result of overuse, causing restriction to movement and pain. This is most likely to occur at the knees, elbows and Archilles tendon1. Menisci maintain joint stability and provide protection to the bone surface, and absorb shock between articular surfaces2. The limbs (arms and legs) are the primary source for which the basketball foul shot can be accomplished2. Long, short, flat sesamoid, and irregular bones make up the appendicular skeleton1. Long bones are found in locations such as the humerus, tibia, radius and phalanges. These bones are tubular and hollow (see figure 2) and can also stand heavy force2. The femur fits into the pelvis joined together by ligaments which attach bone to bone, this allows a free range of movement, making it easier for the player to bend into a position for power. Inferior of the femur is the tibia, making the knee joint, known as a synovial hinge joint2 (see figure 3). This joint only allows the bending and straightening, making use to the basketball shot. The patella is known as a sesamoid bone, which is located anterior to the knee. The tibia is much stronger as it is anterior to the fibula where it is under a lot more stress. Slight flexion of the hip and knees puts the player in the starting position ready for the motion of the shot. Long bones are also in the feet known as phalanges, along with short bones known as metatarsals. Short bones are also tubular composed of a spongy tissue allowing specialised movement, such as the biaxial movement allowed by the gliding plane joint2, which is when two bones with a flat surface (carpals, tarsals) slide on each other, but are confined to limited movements by the ligaments.
|
