A Biomechanical Analysis of the NBA Athlete

1. A BIOMECHANICAL
ANALYSIS OF THE
NBA ATHLETE
Eric Leidersdorf
Director of Biomechanics
Peak Performance Project

2. 2
O U T L I N E
Background
P3 Mission
Assessment Overview
• Relevant Technologies
• Importance of data context
Biomechanical data to determine risk of injury
• Case Study 1: ACL/MCL rupture
• Case Study 2: Jones fracture
– Plasticity
Discussion

3. P3
• Integrated performance/sport-
science research facility
• Assessed approx. 45% of active
NBA athletes
sports-biometrics-conference.com
Personal
• Biomechanical Engineering at
Stanford
• 5 year veteran of P3
B A C K G R O U N D

4. M I S S I O N
Objective:
• Optimize individual athlete development through
precise assessment and individualized training
Method:
• Quantify aspects of athleticism that to this point
have remained qualitative
Use data context to generate insight for our
partners:
• Scout performance-limiting factors
• Assess potentially injurious movement
patterns

5. Force Plates (Bertec)
• Bilateral Force Plate data collected during a number of
vertical plane actions to assess load distribution patterns
Video-based Motion Capture (Simi)
• 10 Camera system
• Joint-by-Joint movement analysis
P 3 A S S E S S M E N T T E C H N O L O G Y

6. Athlete Bio
• Age: XX
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 195.5 lbs.
• Reach: 8’6”
• Position: SG
• INJ History:
-Bilateral Patella Tendinopathy (recurrent)
-Occasional Low-Back Pain
C A S E S T U D Y 1 : A C L / M C L R O I

7. C A S E S T U D Y 1 : A C L / M C L R O I
Notable Year 1 to Year 2 changes
• Considerable biomechanical degradation following season
– No off-season time dedicated to physical development
– No notable performance differences
• Hip Stability
– 4 key metrics moved below the 25th percentile
• Ground Contacts
– Contribute to adoption of a valgus alignment
• Force-Distribution
– Significant growth in force-distribution asymmetry from Year1
to Year2

8. C A S E S T U D Y 1 : A C L / M C L R O I
sports-biometrics-conference.com 8

9. C A S E S T U D Y 2 : F O O T - A N K L E R O I
• Athlete Bio
– Age: XX
– Height: 6’10.5”
– Weight: 261 lbs.
– Reach: 9’0.5”
– Position: PF/C
– INJ History:
• Bilateral Patella Tendinopathy (recurrent)
• R Ankle Sprain (2 y.a.)

10. C A S E S T U D Y 2 : F O O T - A N K L E R O I
Inversion Eversion

11. 0
20
40
60
80
100
Act. Dorsi
Imp. 1
Inversion
Eversion
Translation
Ever. Vel.
ROI Scale
NBA AVG
Player X
C A S E S T U D Y 2 : F O O T - A N K L E R O I

12. P L A S T I C I T Y: F O O T - A N K L E R O I
• Athlete Bio
– Age: XX
– Height: 6’11”
– Weight: 271.3 lbs.
– Reach: 9’4”
– Position: C
– INJ History:
• Tibial Stress Fracture
• MCL Tear
• Patella Tendinopathy

13. P L A S T I C I T Y: O N G O I N G S T U D Y *
• Active Dorsiflexion
– Relevant variables remained
strong, largely unchanged
• Inversion
– Mild improvements in orientation
of the foot upon ground-contact
• Eversion
– Significant improvements in
athlete’s ability to control
movement into Eversion
• Part of an ongoing study to
assess plasticity of factors
related to injury
0
20
40
60
80
100
Act. Dorsi
Imp. 1
Inversion
Eversion
Translation
Ever. Vel.
ROI Scale
Can the systems involved in ROI to the foot and ankle change?

14. Presentation
• Biomechanical Assessment can be
used to:
– Stratify risk of injury
– Optimize performance
• Ongoing Study to determine physical
plasticity in today’s NBA athlete
sports-biometrics-conference.com
P3
• Performance facility located in Santa
Barbara, CA
• Currently assessed approximately
45% of players currently on NBA
rosters
S U M M A R Y

15. Thank You