This document summarizes a biomechanical analysis of NBA athletes conducted by the Peak Performance Project (P3). P3 assessed around 45% of active NBA players using force plates and motion capture technology to analyze movement patterns and identify potential injury risks. Two case studies are described: 1) An athlete who showed degradation in hip stability and increased asymmetry from year 1 to 2 and suffered an ACL/MCL injury. 2) An athlete with foot/ankle weaknesses in inversion/eversion control compared to averages, putting them at risk for reinjury. The study also followed an athlete who showed plasticity and improved control of eversion movements over time, demonstrating the potential for change. Biomechanical assessment can stratify injury risk and optimize

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