Architectural Characteristics of Leg Extensors Muscles and Jumping Ability of Basketball Players

Abstract

Jumping ability is very important in basketball performance and requires to generating high velocity of
shortening which is determined by muscle architectural characteristics. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the architectural characteristics of leg extensors muscles of adults and junior basketball players and
the investigation of their relationship with jumping ability. Adults (n=34) and junior (n=25) basketball players participate in this study. It was evaluated pennation angle, muscle thickness, fascicle length and relative
fascicle length of vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis and investigated the
relationship of muscles architectural characteristics with jumping ability parameters. The results reveled that
there were strong positive correlations of muscle thickness and fascicle length with vertical jumps parameters in examined muscles, and pennation angles of gastrocnemius medialis with jumping ability. In conclusion, muscle thickness and fascicle length have an important role in vertical jumping performance.