Author(s): Mohammad Thamer Karim

Abstract:
Basketball shooting is a biomechanically complex skill that integrates precise coordination of multiple body segments. While previous studies have examined kinematic variables such as release angle, velocity, and joint angular displacement, the influence of moment of inertia (MOI) on shooting mechanics remains unexplored. Understanding this relationship is important because MOI determines resistance to angular acceleration, directly affecting the efficiency and stability of movement patterns in high-precision tasks like shooting. This study investigated the relationship between segmental MOI and selected kinematic variables during basketball shooting. Competitive players were assessed using motion-capture technology combined with anthropometric modeling to calculate MOI of the upper and lower limbs. Kinematic parameters including release angle, release velocity, release height, and joint angular velocities were recorded and analyzed through correlation and regression techniques to determine the extent of association between MOI and shooting mechanics. The findings revealed that optimized MOI distributions, particularly in the shooting arm and trunk, were associated with smoother angular accelerations, greater release velocity consistency, and reduced compensatory lower-body movements. These results suggest that MOI plays a significant role in determining the quality and efficiency of shooting performance. This research contributes a novel dimension to basketball biomechanics by explicitly linking MOI with kinematic shooting variables. To the best of current knowledge, no published studies have examined this interaction. The outcomes provide coaches and sport scientists with a new framework for designing training strategies that emphasize both kinematic precision and mechanical efficiency.

Pages: 308-317  |  49 Views  26 Downloads