Biomechanics of Lower Extremity Movements and Injury in Basketball

Abstract

Basketball is a multi-directional sport that has high lateral and vertical demands. Understanding the biomechanics of jumping, landing, and cutting can help coaches and clinicians better reduce the risk of injury in basketball athletes since abnormal movement strategies can lead to various lower extremity injuries especially to the foot, ankle, and knee. If injured, a rehabilitation and return-to-play plan should incorporate regional (hip-focused) and global (lateral and single-leg focused) interventions to elicit the athlete’s optimal performance and safety. This chapter will focus on the lower extremity movement demands characteristic to the sport of basketball as well as lower extremity joint biomechanics during basketball-specific movements, and biomechanical considerations of basketball-related lower extremity injuries.