Effects of the mental load in the acceleration of upper limb and performance during free-throws shooting in professional basketball players

Basketball is a sport that requires a high level of cognitive and mental effort. This mental effort might affect to technical skills such as shooting. Shooting depends on biomechanical factors that determine the path, accuracy, and performance. There is evidence that mental load and fatigue may cause a decrease during sport performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of mental load on the acceleration of the upper limb during free throw shooting. Methods: Twelve professional players of the Chilean basketball league performed three sets of ten free throws before and after a mental load test (Stroop test). Results: Jerk reduction in the hand and a significant increase in the jerk of the trunk during free-throw shooting were found, without changes in performance. Conclusions: the mental load produces changes in the jerk’s values to maintain the shooting performance.