Introduction
Muscles are essential for physical movements and achieving specific outcomes in various activities, including shooting a basketball. This essay examines the muscles used in basketball and the potential consequences if they functioned differently or were absent.
Muscles Engaged in the Activity: Hand and Arm Muscle Involvement
Multiple arm muscles and the shoulder belt must coordinate during a basketball throw. The deltoid muscle on the upper shoulder is crucial for raising the hands to the side and up. Without this muscle, a basketball player could not achieve the necessary height and range for the ball (Ramirez-Campillo et al., 2020). Another important muscle is the bicep on the front of the upper arm, which is responsible for bending the elbow. Players control the direction and accuracy of their throws by activating the bicep and bending the arm at the elbow joint.
Additionally, other muscles stabilize and regulate the arms and hand movements throughout the basketball throw. The trapezoidal muscle on the back of the neck and back supports the shoulder belt and contributes to shoulder rotation. The triceps on the back of the upper arm activate when the elbow extends after the ball is thrown.
Both muscles play pivotal roles in stability and movement control. Significant modifications would be required in basketball if these muscles functioned differently or were absent (Ramirez-Campillo et al., 2020). For instance, raising the arm for a shot would become more challenging without the deltoid muscle, impacting the ball’s height and distance. The absence of the bicep would make controlling the elbow’s bending more complex, reducing accuracy and direction.
Nevertheless, players lacking specific muscles or different muscle functions can develop alternative strategies for successful basketball throwing. They might compensate for the absence of the deltoid or bicep muscles by utilizing more muscular shoulder or hand muscles. Additionally, players could adapt their throwing technique to overcome potential limitations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, muscles play a crucial role in movement, particularly in activities involving shoulders and hands, like basketball. Deltoids and biceps support arm lift and elbow flexion during a throw. Other muscles, such as the trapezoidal and triceps, contribute to stability and movement control. Players must adapt and employ alternative strategies to successfully complete a basketball throw if these muscles functioned differently or were absent.
Reference
Ramirez-Campillo, R., García-Hermoso, A., Moran, J., Chaabene, H., Negra, Y., & Scanlan, A. T. (2020). The effects of plyometric jump training on physical fitness attributes in basketball players: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 11(6), 656–670. Web.