National basketball association slam dunk contest participation does not lead to increased injury risk or adversely affect player performance

Background: The National Basketball Association (NBA) Slam Dunk Contest has declined in popularity in recent years, in large part due to a lack of star-player participation relative to the NBA All Star Game. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effect of NBA Slam Dunk Contest participation on subsequent injury risk and player performance. Methods: Participants from twenty NBA Slam Dunk Contests (2000-2019) were identified and matched to a control group consisting of same-year All-Star Game players. Injury data and performance data concerning all major offensive and defensive statistical categories was obtained from publicly available databases. Injury rates and season-long statistical performances were compared between groups both before and after the All-Star Game/Dunk Contest. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for injury in the second portion of the NBA season. Results: There were 88 players in each group. Injury rates in the second portion of the season were not statistically different between the groups. The dunk contest group did not demonstrate a statistical decline in any of the second half performance metrics. When compared to the control group, no statistically significant second-half differences were noted other than a slight increase in points-per-minute in the dunk contest group (5.6%±20.3% vs. 0.0%±15.8% P=0.04). Conclusions: Participation in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest did not lead to an increased risk for injury or a decline in statistical production when compared to All-Star game players.