Neurophysiological and Biomechanical Determinants of Successful Basketball Throws

This study investigates the neurophysiological and biomechanical factors contributing to successful basketball throw performance in novice athletes, utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and motion capture (MoCap) to analyze joint angles, ground reaction forces (GRFs), and brain activity. Sixteen participants performed basketball throws while EEG and MoCap systems recorded data on movement mechanics and neural activity. Biomechanical findings revealed that successful trials were characterized by refined movements, reduced wrist extension, increased elbow flexion, and more stable foot positioning compared to unsuccessful trials (all p > 0.05), contributing to greater shot accuracy. Reduced movement variability in successful trials further indicated improved motor consistency, reflective of skill development. EEG results showed higher beta and gamma power in the temporal lobe during successful compared to unsuccessful trials (p < 0.05), suggesting increased engagement in visuomotor integration and neural efficiency. Notably, our novice participants demonstrated limited neural efficiency in frontal regions (p > 0.05), potentially due to cognitive interference and self-monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of coordinated biomechanical execution and neural efficiency in optimizing basketball performance. The insights gained have practical implications for designing training interventions that improve motor performance, particularly for novice athletes.