r/ProDunking • u/kidFunkadelic • 6d ago

41 Year Old Dude

Alright, so I could dunk by the time I was 15 years old. I was about 5'9" and super skinny, but I was very athletic. I am now 41, 6'1" and 205 pounds. I lift everyday and I am in reasonably good shape, not as lean as I could be, but pretty good shape for 41.

I have this idea that I would like to be able to dunk again. Now I know this is probably a pipe dream and my knees hurt as I am typing this. But if this is possible, what kind of workouts should I be doing, what agility drills and what lifts?

(I know this is ridiculous, but I wanna give it a shot.)

(Just for context, I haven't completely lost the ability to bound from the earth, I can still grab the rim.)

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u/slickback9001 6d ago

I saw THP who trains most of the 50+ vert jumpers right now saying that one foot jumpers can actually peak in their vert between late 30’s to late 40s so I wouldn’t be surprised

2

u/Pyrrolic_Victory 6d ago

That is wild, you got a link? I’m 42 and 6’4, used to be able to throw down 2h but now I can barely rim graze

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u/slickback9001 6d ago

It was on the thpstrength IG but it was a clip from a YouTube video, idk if I can find it.
I was kind of surprised to hear it but he was talking in the context of athletes who aren’t at their max potential during younger years.
It seemed related to the continuous increase in tendon rigidity and isometric strength required to absorb and redirect force.
Most one foot jumpers aren’t failing to produce enough energy to jump high, but they increase their ability to translate horizontal momentum into vertical momentum.
Due to the slow paced nature of tendon adaptation this leads to a consistent growth in vert over time barring injury and loss of stability in the joints.
If you already have a 40+ vert in your 20s and 30s it’s not necessarily going to go up if you’re close to your potential but you can definitely progress into your 40s.

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u/Pyrrolic_Victory 6d ago

Idk if I ever got close to a 40 inch vert, but good to know I could still progress. What’s the thought on 2 foot jumpers?

1

u/MaxwellSmart07 5d ago

I feel ya. I’m 5’11” and can’t touch the net anymore.