MEDICINA SPORTIVA - Journal of Romanian Sports Medicine Society

Vertical jump performances in recreational basketball players: the role of physical characteristics and anthropometric parameters of the lower limbs

The Vertical jump (VJ) test is a common functional measure of an athlete’s current and potential level of athletic performance. There is paucity of investigations assessing the influence of lower limb anthropometric variables on VJ height in basketball players. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between selected lower limb anthropometric parameters and VJ height among recreational basketball players in Lagos, Nigeria.
Material and Method. Seventy seven male recreational basketball players, aged 16 to 35 years participated in this study. Body weight, height and BMI kg/m2 were determined. Lower limb anthropometric parameters of femoral length, thigh girth, tibial length, calf girth, and foot length were assessed using a standard clinical tape measure while the subjects were in supine lying. The VJ test involving a countermovement jump was performed using a wall mounted centimeter tape. Data was analysed using Pearson product moment correlation to determine the relationship between VJ and anthropometric characteristics with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results. No significant (p > 0.05) correlation of VJ height with femoral length, thigh girth, tibial length was seen. Calf girth and foot length had significant impact (p < 0.05) while there were significant correlations of weight (p < 0.001, r = -0.426), height (p < 0.001, r = -0.455) and BMI (p = 0.027, r = -0.252) with VJ.
Conclusion: Physical characteristics of weight, height and BMI as well as anthropometric variables of calf girth and foot length had significant impact on VJ performance among recreational basketball players.