Effectiveness of floor markings for controlling cut width during side cutting tasks in laboratory experiments

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of floor markings for controlling cut width during the analysis of side cutting maneuvers. Eleven male basketball players performed two side cutting maneuvers of narrow (30 cm) and wide (45 cm) cut widths and were guided by floor markings. Ground reaction forces, together with ankle, knee, and hip joint ranges of motion (ROM), and respective joint moments were determined. Cut widths were verified by two approaches by calculating the actual foot-to-foot and foot-to-pelvis distances from motion data. Biomechanical lower extremity loading showed no significant differences in most kinetic and kinematic variables between narrow and wide cuts. The difference in foot-to-foot distance (15.1 [11.6, 18.7] cm, p<0.001) p<0.001) between conditions corresponded well with floor markings, however, the difference in foot-to-pelvis distance was much smaller (2.3 [0.3, 4.4] cm, p=0.030) p=0.030) . It is concluded that floor markings are not sufficient for controlling the actual anatomical cut width in laboratory experiments. Participants may adjust their body postures to maintain similar lower extremity loading when performing side cuts differing in foot placement width. Cut width should be represented by foot-to-pelvis distance and not foot-to-foot distance.