Effects of various parameters of basketball shoes on vertical jumping performance: A case study

Introduction.-This study aimed at analyzing the influence of shoes characteristics on various vertical jump performances. Synthesis of the facts.-One national basketball player was filmed while performing a squat jump, a standardized countermovement jump, and a free countermovement jump. Barefoot condition and eight pairs of shoes were tested. Conclusion.-The highest jump was reached in the barefoot condition. The interaction "heavy + high" decreased performance of the vertical jumps. This jumps height diminution would be related to a change of co-ordination and to a decrease of the range of motion of lower limb joints. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.