Impact of longitudinal dimensionality on explosive strength of young basketball players

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a lower- and upper-body 10-week in-season resistance training program on explosive strength development in young basketball players. Twenty-five adolescent male athletes, aged 14-15 years old, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 15) and a control group (CG; n = 10). The subjects were assessed at baseline and after training for squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), Abalakov test, drop jump, and seated medicine ball throw (MBT). The EG showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in all the variable scores. Conversely, the CG significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in SJ, CMJ, and Abalakov test scores and significantly increased in the results of MBT test (p < 0.05). The groups were similar on pretest, but significant differences (p < 0.05) occurred on posttest in all the variables. The results of this study show that a 10-week in-season resistance training program with moderate volume and intensity loads increased vertical jump and MBT performance in adolescent male basketball players. Coaches should know that such a short resistance training program specifically designed for young basketball players induce increased explosivity levels, which are essential to a better basketball performance, with no extra overload on adolescents' skeletal muscle development.

The Basketball School program was launched to track and support young talented basketball players in Russia under the aegis of the Russian Basketball Federation and the SIBUR gas processing company. Physical and technical conditions of players and their anthropometric indicators are monitored each year. The program covers a three-year period and is held annually in several stages. The stages include testing the physical and motor conditions of young players, field sessions with the coaches of the Russian professional basketball team, training camps for talented players and seminars for coaches of youth basketball teams. A study was conducted based on the results obtained during the testing. It was aimed to determine the periods of increase in physical qualities and motor abilities among young basketball players. The relationship between height and other anthropometric indicators was indicated, they can serve as a selection criteria for basketball teams. The results obtained can be used in the formation of training methodology for young basketball players.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a complex training program, a combined practice of weight training and plyometrics, on explosive strength development of young basketball players. Twenty-five young male athletes, aged 14-15 years old, were assessed using squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), Abalakov test (ABA), depth jump (DJ), mechanical power (MP), and medicine ball throw (MBT), before and after a 10-week in-season training program. Both the control group (CG; n = 10) and the experimental group (EG; n = 15) kept up their regular sports practice; additionally, the EG performed 2 sessions per week of a complex training program. The EG significantly improved in the SJ, CMJ, ABA, and MBT values (p < 0.05). The CG significantly decreased the values (p < 0.05) of CMJ, ABA, and MP, while significantly increasing the MBT values (p < 0.05). Our results support the use of complex training to improve the upper and lower body explosivity levels in young basketball players. In conclusion, this study showed that more strength conditioning is needed during the sport practice season. Furthermore, we also conclude that complex training is a useful working tool for coaches, innovative in this strength-training domain, equally contributing to a better time-efficient training.

Abstract. Relevance of the study. A comprehensive review of specialized literature suggests that the effective implementation of preventive measures can be achieved when innovative health technologies are scientifically integrated into the training process of young athletes. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the effectiveness of a technology aimed at preventing functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system in young basketball players, with a focus on 9-year-old athletes displaying postural abnormalities, such as slumped posture. Research Methods. The research methods include an analysis and synthesis of relevant scientific literature, pedagogical testing, video recordings of the biogeometric posture profiles of basketball players processed using the "APECS AI" program, and statistical methods for data analysis. Results. Based on primary statistical data, significant changes were observed in several somatometric indicators within the experimental group of basketball players during the study period. Specifically, the following improvements were recorded: an increase in the visual angle by 3.17°, a reduction in head tilt angles by 2.5°, a shift in body position in the sagittal plane by 1.17°, a decrease in pelvic tilt in the sagittal plane by 3.11°, and a reduction in pelvic tilt in the frontal plane by 0.69°. Other indicators also showed some changes, albeit to a lesser extent, such as a reduction in torso tilt angles by 0.34°, shoulder girdle asymmetry by 0.017°, and scapula unevenness by 0.47°. In terms of physical fitness, the players demonstrated improvements in their running speed over 10 meters (by 0.03 seconds), 20 meters (by 0.03 seconds), long jump forward (by 1.33 cm), vertical jump (by 0.33 cm), and 1 kg medicine ball throw (by 0.2 meters). These findings indicate that the expected changes, as targeted by the applied training technology, were partially achieved in the young basketball players. The consistency of these changes and their potential for repetition in future implementations with basketball players exhibiting slumped posture were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A significant reduction in head tilt angles was observed in all players within the experimental group, which was found to be statistically significant at the p&lt;0.05 level, with a high standardized effect size. Conclusion. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technology, as its application leads to significant improvements in head positioning, increased visual angle, reduced body displacement angles, correction of posture in the sagittal plane, alignment of scapulae, and reduction of pelvic tilt in the frontal plane for young basketball players with slumped posture. Furthermore, when compared to the standard training programs used in children’s sports schools, youth Olympic reserve schools, high-performance sports schools, and specialized sports institutions, the proposed technology more effectively reduces head tilt angles and does not lead to increased asymmetry in the shoulder girdle in the frontal plane

Background and Study Aim. Team sports, basketball and handball, as well as their competitions, are very popular throughout the world. The aim of this research was evaluation and comparative analysis of the results of a vertical jump between young basketball and handball players. Material and Methods. A group of 37 participants took part in the research: 21 basketball players from the basketball club OKK ''Novi Pazar'' (age: 15.5 ± 0.5) from Novi Pazar formed the first subgroup and 16 handball players from the handball club RK ''Železničar 1949'' (age: 25.4 ± 5.8; body height = 193.5 ± 7.5 cm; body weight = 94.0 ± 7.4 kg; body mass index = 25.03 ± 2.38 kg/m2) from Niš formed the second subgroup. Explosive power of the vertical jumps was assessed by the following tests: countermovement jump, countermovement jump/arm swing, squat jump. Participants had at least 5 years of training experience and held similar acute training histories prior to study commencement, completing 4 weeks of baseline conditioning during the general preparatory phase. Participants were free of injury, illness and disease as determined by a team physician prior to study participation. Results. The results of the independent samples t-test show that there were no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) between basketball and handball players in all vertical jump tests. Conclusions. This article contains new information about vertical jumps of young male basketball and elite male handball players that could be extremely useful for coaches. Also, these findings suggest that basketball coaches may benefit from talents’ identification in young basketball players.

This study compared the physical performance differences between young Portuguese male and female basketball players according to chronological and biological age. Furthermore, it also aimed to establish physical reference values. Sixty-nine Portuguese basketball players from four age categories (U14 males [U14M], U14 females [U14F], U16 males [U16M], and U16 females [U16F]) performed the 20-m sprint, countermovement jump, V-Cut change of direction, 3-kg medicine ball throw, and lane agility test. Maturity offset (pre-, mid-, and post-peak height velocity [PHV]) was estimated using sex-specific equations. A one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni tests analyzed the differences between age categories (U14 vs. U16) and maturity offset (mid-PHV vs. post-PHV) in physical variables. The 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles were calculated for each physical variable. The U16M outperformed the U14M, U14F, and U16F in all physical tests (p &lt; 0.001), and the U16F had better sprint and change of direction times than the U14F (p &lt; 0.001). No differences between U14M vs. U14F/U16F were found. The post-PHV male group outperformed mid-PHV males/females and post-PHV females in all physical tests (p &lt; 0.001), while mid-PHV males threw the medicine ball further than the mid-PHV and post-PHV females (p &lt; 0.001). This study reinforced that physical performance differences between young basketball players increase with chronological age, although some differences seem to be attenuated depending on the maturational stage, especially in females. Coaches can follow the physical reference values provided in this study to identify potential talent, design training programs, define competitive goals, and monitor physical changes over time in young basketball players.

A lot of sport and vigorous games (football, handball, basketball and others) are connected by similar movement actions that are based on the same or similar physical properties and demand similar models of movement, which are performed in different conditions; therefore, physiological requirements differ according to the time and intensity of their performance (Meckel, Gottlieb, Eliakim, 2009). They are influenced by different factors (the surface and size of the field, number of players); however, these sports are similar in terms of aerobic and anaerobic capacity demands for the fitness of players. Despite that aerobic activity prevails in team sports, the main actions are accomplished in anaerobic conditions in competitions (Abdelkrim et al., 2007; Sporis, Vuleta, Vuleta, Milanovic, 2010). The aim of the current research is to explore the results of the indicators of physical development, general and special physical fitness of young football, handball and basketball players, as well as to accomplish their comparative analysis. 22 basketball players, 22 football players and 22 handball players aged 13-14 took part in the research. Their physical development (height, weight) and physical fitness (30 m run, standing long jump, and 10×5 meter shuttle run) were determined. The analysis of research results was carried out using SPSS 19.0 for Windows. The research results on physical development revealed that the tallest were handball players, as well as their scores were the highest. The smallest weight and height were determined among footballers. The results of 30 meter run, standing long jump and 10×5 meter shuttle run of handball players were considerably better in comparison to football and basketball players. The results of basketball players in 30 meter run, standing long jump and shuttle run were lower than the ones of handball and football players. Statistically significant differences were determined in the test of 30 m run and standing long jump between basketball and handball players, and between basketball and football players (p < 0,05), as well as a statistically significant difference was identified in the results of shuttle run between basketball and football players (p < 0,05). The analysis of the physical development and anaerobic capacity results of 13-14 year old football, basketball and handball players revealed the greatest height and weight of handball players, as well as disclosed statistically significantly better results in 30 m run and standing long jump. The weight and height of footballers was the lowest; yet their results in shuttle run were considerably better. It is possible to assume that basketball, football and handball players have similar anaerobic physical capacities. Therefore, the obtained data can be beneficial for coaches in evaluating anaerobic sport activity, the selection process of gifted athletes, as well as adjusting training programmes for young handball, basketball and football players. Keywords: physical fitness, special physical development, physical capacities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15823/sm.2016.28

Basketball is a major sport worldwide among different age groups that leads to a high frequency of injuries at multiple body sites. Upper and lower extremities and lower back are common pain sites in basketball players; however, there is little information about the relationship between upper or lower extremity pain and lower back pain. This study elucidated the associations between upper extremity (shoulder and elbow) pain and lower back pain (LBP) among young basketball players. We conducted a cross-sectional study using self-reported questionnaires mailed to 25,669 young athletes; the final study population comprised 590 basketball players, and their median age was 13 years (range: 6-15 years). The point prevalence rates of lower back, shoulder, elbow, and upper extremity pain among young basketball players were 12.9% (76/590), 4.6% (27/590), 2.7% (16/590), and 7.1% (42/590), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that upper extremity pain was significantly associated with LBP (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 7.86; 95% confidential interval [CI], 3.93-15.72). Shoulder pain was significantly associated with training per week (> 4 days) (adjusted OR: 4.15; 95% CI: 1.29-13.40) and LBP (adjusted OR: 13.77; 95% CI: 5.70-33.24). This study indicates that upper extremity and shoulder pain is associated with LBP among young basketball players. Assessing for lower back pain, as well as elbow and/or shoulder pain, may help prevent severe injuries in young basketball players. In conclusion, parents and coaches should be properly re-educated to help improve lower back, upper extremity, and shoulder pain among young basketball players.

The aim of the study was to determine and analyze the level of certain motor abilities (acceleration and agility, the explosive strength of arms, and take-off power) of young elite European female basketball players. We also wanted to establish whether there were any differences between 3 groups of female basketball players who differed in terms of their playing performance. The sample of subjects consists of 65 female basketball players aged 14.49 (± 0.61) years who were divided into 3 groups (divisions A, B, and C of the European Championships). We compare the groups by using 8 motor tests. p Values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The results show that the division C players achieved below-average results in all tests and thus differ from the players from divisions A and B whose test results were relatively homogeneous. The division C players differ from those from divisions A and B mainly in the 6 × 5-m sprint dribble (discriminant ratio coefficients [DRC] = 0.435), medicine ball throw (DRC = 0.375), and 20-m sprint (DRC = 0.203). Discriminatory power in the 6 × 5-m sprint dribble and 20-m sprint tests is preserved even after eliminating the effect of body height. We assume that, besides the deficit in body height and training status, this is also 1 of the key reasons for these players' lower playing efficiency compared to those from divisions A and B. We hope the findings of this study will enable the generation of model values, which can assist basketball coaches for this age category in basketball clubs, high schools, national teams, and basketball camps.

The main purpose of this research was to determine relationship of the target-based orientation and the Competitive anxiety with the young Basketball players’ performance in Erzurum province championship tournaments. So the whole young Basketball players’ of Erzurum Province participating in the championship tournaments in 2014 were selected as the statistical technique. The questionnaire of the target-based orientation at sport and the questionnaire of the competitive anxiety and the study of the Basketball players’' results were applied in order to gather the related data. This study was an applied and a descriptive-correlation type. The results showed there is a significant relationship between the target-based orientation and sport performance of Basketball players’ participated in Erzurum championship tournaments. There is also significant relationship between the task-based element and sport performance of the young Basketball players’. There is no observed a significant relationship between the target-based orientation and sport performance of the Basketball players’. There is a significant relationship between the competitive anxiety and the sport performance of the young Basketball players’ in the championship tournaments of Erzurum.

BackgroundThe aim of the investigation was to compare the occurrence of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) after drop jumps, or heavy sled towing, and the subsequent effect on repeated sprint ability (RSA).MethodsTen young basketball players (17 ± 1 yrs) performed, in randomized order, RSA test with changes of direction after a standardized warm up followed by drop jumps, heavy sled towing, or no exercise (control condition). Neuromuscular assessments composed of two maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors, peripheral nerve stimulation, and surface electromyography (EMG), responses were recorded before and immediately after the RSA. The EMG signal of leg muscles during sprinting were also recorded as well as the blood lactate concentration.ResultsThe drop jumps improved the RSA mean time (P = 0.033), total time (P = 0.031), and slowest time (P = 0.029) compared to control condition, while heavy sled towing did not change RSA outcomes (P > 0.05). All conditions exhibited a decrease of doublet high frequency stimulation force (pre-post measurement) (P = 0.023) and voluntary activation (P = 0.041), evidencing the occurrence from peripheral and central components of fatigue after RSA, respectively, but no difference was evident between-conditions. There was a significantly greater EMG activity during sprints for the biceps femoris after drop jumps, only when compared to control condition (P = 0.013).ConclusionRepeated drop jumps were effective to induce PAPE in the form of RSA, while heavy sled towing had no effect on RSA performance in young basketball players. Furthermore, both conditioning activities exhibited similar levels of fatigue following the RSA protocol. Thus, drop jumps may be used as an alternative to induce PAPE and thus improve performance during sprints in young male basketball players.

A team shared belief in its capability to organize and execute some actions required to achieve given performance level is referred as collective efficacy. Collective efficacy in sports appears to be dependent on the interactions and organized dynamics between the players within the team, their competences, including physical competence, organization, structure and strategies. It is directly related to team performance potential. In the present study we examined the changes of perceived collective efficacy among young basketball players and 10 to 17 years across a 4-month competitive season, accounting for variation by age group since youth sports are generally organized by competitive age groups. Based on the repeated measures across 4 months in the range of age observed, we explored the trends of perceived collective efficacy among this sample players. Sixty-five adolescent male basketball players aged 13,7 (9,5 to 17,3) years at baseline were considered. Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports (CEQS) was used to assess players´ perception of collective efficacy. The adolescent basketball players had high CEQS scores. Except for persistence, all CEQS factors did not vary by age group. However, no distinct trend of differences between age group was present. The CEQS factors remained high after 4-months competitive season exposure, except for ability where there was a systematic decrease for players scores at end-season. A negative trend of change was apparent for persistence, preparation and unity as players were closer to late adolescence years. The results in this study highlight the importance for coaches and practitioners to consider environment and context influence on young basketball players´ collective efficacy perception. A team shared belief in its capability to organize and execute some actions required to achieve given performance level is referred as collective efficacy. Collective efficacy in sports appears to be dependent on the interactions and organized dynamics between the players within the team, their competences, including physical competence, organization, structure and strategies. It is directly related to team performance potential. In the present study we examined the changes of perceived collective efficacy among young basketball players and 10 to 17 years across a 4-month competitive season, accounting for variation by age group since youth sports are generally organized by competitive age groups. Based on the repeated measures across 4 months in the range of age observed, we explored the trends of perceived collective efficacy among this sample players. Sixty-five adolescent male basketball players aged 13,7 (9,5 to 17,3) years at baseline were considered. Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports (CEQS) was used to assess players´ perception of collective efficacy. The adolescent basketball players had high CEQS scores. Except for persistence, all CEQS factors did not vary by age group. However, no distinct trend of differences between age group was present. The CEQS factors remained high after 4-months competitive season exposure, except for ability where there was a systematic decrease for players scores at end-season. A negative trend of change was apparent for persistence, preparation and unity as players were closer to late adolescence years. The results in this study highlight the importance for coaches and practitioners to consider environment and context influence on young basketball players´ collective efficacy perception.

The present paper investigated the effects of a shoot training programme with a reduced hoop diameter (0.35 m) rim on kinematics and performance of basketball free-throws. Eighteen young male basketball players were divided into control (CG, n = 9) and experimental (EG, n = 9) groups. Both groups undertook a 10-week training programme comprising two training sessions per week. Under fatigued conditions, each participant shot 150 free-throws in each training session, with the CG using a standard rim, and the EG a smaller rim. All other training was identical between groups. Ball release parameters, player's kinematics and mean of successful free-throws (out of 150 attempts) were determined for each participant, before and after completion of the training programme. Following training, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in ball release angle, speed and height and in shoulder joint angle at release (P < 0.01) was observed for the EG. Both the CG (P < 0.001) and the EG (P < 0.0001) showed an increase in the number of successful free throws, although the increase was greater (P < 0.05) for the EG (22.7 ± 6.4 free throws) than for the CG (14.6 ± 7.8 free throws). We conclude that training with a reduced rim significantly improves free-throw performance in young basketball players.

Research background and hypothesis. Players need to repeat performance of highly intensive work for a particular time combining it with rest intervals. The muscle power and anaerobic repetitive muscle work capacity of elite basketball players is higher than those in young athletes.Research aim was to investigate anaerobic power and repetitive muscle work capacity of older elite (n = 13) and young basketball players (n = 12) and to carry out comparative analysis of indicators in these groups. Research methods. During competition period, laboratory 5 × 6 s repeated effort test with rest intervals of 24 s was employed. The average indicator of power during each work interval was provided and fatigue index was calculated. Three minutes after the physical load, the concentration of lactate in the blood was measured. Research results. A statistically significant difference was observed for absolute muscle power of elite and young basketball players in the first sprint (p &lt; 0.004) The research on relative indicators for one kilogram of the body mass showed that the power of elite (13.06 W·kg -1 ) and young players (11.74 W·kg -1 ) did not differ statistically (p &lt; 0.09). The fatigue index investigated in both groups did not differ (p &lt; 0.77). Discussion and conclusions. The research revealed that relative indicators of muscle power of elite basketball players did not significant differ from those of young athletes. The same anaerobic repetitive muscle work capacity was observed in both groups.It was established that the concentration of lactate in the blood increased after physical load more than to 9 mol·l -1 and did not differ in the two groups. This means that working for 6 seconds at maximum strength and relaxing 4 times longer, repeating this work five times, PCr is not enough for ATP resynthesis and, therefore, anaerobic glycolic reactions are activated.Keywords: fatigue, lactate, recovery, muscles.

The problem statement of the current research was determined in a fact that most coaches are not interested in teaching and training young players how to specifically develop decision-making. They assume that these players will only learn from their work on the moves included in the attacking modes. Therefore، the problem is closely related to many young players (and later young and advanced players)، and it is also that they do not know why they made this decision rather than the others. The aim of the research is to design and prepare special educational units to develop decision-making for young basketball players، and to identify the impact of special educational units on the development of decision-making on young basketball players. The research sample included 12 junior players who are playing in the Al-Hilla Sports Club Team for the season (2019/2020). The researcher used the experimental method for its suitability and the nature of the research، by designing a special form to measure the decision-making of these players. As for the most important conclusions reached by the researcher، it was found that the educational units have a positive impact on the development of decision-making in the attacking skill performance of basketball for the junior players of the experimental research group، and the superiority of the experimental group at the expense of the control group in making the decision in the attacking skill performance of basketball for young players because it is affected by the special educational units. As for the most important recommendations، the researcher recommended the use of special educational units to develop decision-making in the attacking skill performance of basketball for young players and other groups.