Segment angle. The forearm motion was similar for the dominant and non-dominant movements. For the dominant movement, the minimum angle was 14 degrees, the maximum angle was 43 degrees, and the range was 28 degrees. For the non-dominant movement, the minimum was -28 degrees, the maximum was -1 degree, and the range was 27 degrees. Both ranges are similar for dominant and non-dominant, indicating the motions were nearly the same. The differences in angle sign are due to the orientation of the subject with respect to the frame of reference.
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Figure 3. The forearm segment angle during the dominant freethrow (left) and the non-dominant freethrow (right). The forearm angle is calculated from the vertical axis about the elbow joint. Anatomical position corresponds to 180 deg. Increasing values represent clockwise rotation. |
Joint angle 1. Both dominant and non-dominant shoulder movements had nearly identical angle graphs. The shoulder began in the extended position and gradually flexed. For the dominant shoulder, the angle of maximum extension was 58 degrees , while the angle of maximum flexion was 163 degrees (ball release). For the non-dominant shoulder, the angle of maximum extension was 60 degrees, while the angle of maximum flexion was 153 degrees (ball release). The range of motion for the dominant shoulder was 105 degrees and 93 degrees for the non-dominant motion.
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Figure 4. Shoulder angle in the dominant freethrow (left) and the non-dominant freethrow (right). The shoulder angle is calculated as the angle between the trunk and arm. Anatomical position corresponds to 180 degrees. Increasing values for the dominant freethrow represent flexion, while increasing values in the non-dominant freethrow represent flexion and extension. |
Joint angle 2. Both dominant and non-dominant elbow motion resulted in similar graphs. The elbow began in the flexed position and extended for the duration of the movement. For the dominant elbow, the angle of maximum flexion was 40 degrees , while the angle of maximum extension was 126 degrees. For the non-dominant elbow, the angle of maximum flexion was 50 degrees, while the angle of maximum extension was 131 degrees. The range of angular motion for the dominant elbow was 86 degrees and 81 degrees for the non-dominant.
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Figure 5. Elbow angle in the dominant freethrow (left) and the non-dominant freethrow (right). The elbow angle is calculated as the angle between the arm and forearm. Anatomical position corresponds to 180 degrees. Increasing values for the dominant and non-dominant freethrow represent extension. |
Joint velocity. The angular velocity graphs for the elbow were similar for dominant and non-dominant movements; however, the movement depicted in the non-dominant graph was not as smooth as the dominant graph, indicating more variation in movement. For the dominant elbow, the maximum velocity flexion was -11 degrees/s and 449 degrees/s for maximum extension. For the non-dominant elbow, the velocity at maximum flexion is -21 degrees/s and 384 degrees/s for maximum extension.
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Figure 6. Elbow angular velocity in the dominant freethrow (left) and the non-dominant freethrow (right). Positive values for the dominant and non-dominant freethrow represent extension. |
Angle-Angle Plot. The angle-angle plots depict the shoulder and elbow angles in a linear relationship. As the shoulder joint increased in angle degree, the elbow angle also increased. The movement continued in both joints for the duration of the freethrow shot. The shoulder and elbow joints were highly coupled. The movement began with both the shoulder and elbow in flexion and the wrist in hyperextension. As the ball was thrusted forward, the shoulder remained in flexion while the elbow began to extend. This occurred while the wrist moved to extension and ultimately to flexion once the ball was released.
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Figure 7. Coordination of shoulder joint and elbow joint in the dominant freethrow (left) and the non-dominant freethrow (right). The arrows demonstrate the movements of both the shoulder and elbow angles. |