INTRODUCTION

Komi and Bosco (1978) conducted a study which examined the performance in a vertical jump between males and females. In general, the study found that the female performances were from 54 to 67 percent below that of their male counterparts. Indeed, there is a difference in the success rate of dunking a basketball between males and females. Because dunking depends on jump height, this study examines the maximum jump height needed to dunk a basketball, in males and females. It is also evident that jump height depends on muscle characteristics. Davies, et al. (1988), found one possibility might be that there is a difference in composition in male and female muscle with respect to fiber type. In addition, male and female sex hormones may influence the performance of skeletal muscle differently, so that for a given muscle mass the male and female would produce different strengths of contraction (Davies, et al., 320). Recognizing these gender differences is important in understanding that men are more successful and skilled at performing this skill.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the range of motion at the knee and hip joints as both male and female subjects perform a basketball dunk. In addition, the diferences in kinematics during dunking will be examined. Because height can influence one's ability to perform a dunk, height has been chosen as the control variable. Examining the differences of each subject will help draw conclusions on why men are more successful.