Post-Workout: How Extreme Conditioning Programs (ECPs) Improve Strength, Fitness, and Skills in Male Basketball Players

Witkin, Dyk, Faterson, Goodenough, and Karp in 1962 suggested two polar extremes of perceptual ability, field dependence and field-independence, which were seen as relatively permanent personality characteristics. Rudin (1968) suggested a more general concept to explain Witkin's results which was designated “ego autonomy.” Rudin demonstrated that field-independence was related to the ability to change perceptual set. Jones (1973) suggested that game players should be more field-independent than nongame players and be capable of shifting perceptual set. This study was designed to determine whether male and female basketball players were more field-independent than nonbasketball players and whether basketball players were capable of changing perceptual set. Analysis of data demonstrated that male and female basketball players were not significantly more field-independent than nonbasketball players. Among the male basketball players and the combined male basketball and nonbasketball players, the more field-independent subjects were able to change perceptual set. It was concluded that there may be consistent differences between males and females in ability to change perceptual set. Male basketball players' ability to change perceptual set may be related to the level of field-independence. The basketball players in this study were not more field-independent than nonbasketball players.

The study aimed to dentifying the effect of using mixed physical and skill exercises with auxiliary tools to develop some basic skills to basketball players & as well as identifying the differences between the averages in physical tests between the control and experimental groups in some basic skills for players aged (14-16) years. The study assumed there are statistically significant differences between the tribal and remote tests of the control and experimental groups in some basic skills of basketball players aged (14-16) years, as well as the presence of statistically significant differences between the post tests of the control and experimental groups in some basic skills of basketball players. The researcher used the experimental method for its suitability to the nature of the research and the problem of the research. The research sample consisted of (12) players of the (Sulaymaniyah) basketball club, and they were chosen in a deliberate way, then they were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups, and each group consisted of (6) players. The control group used the coach’s approach, while the experimental group used exercises (physical and skill) with auxiliary tools prepared by the researcher to develop some basic skills in basketball. The exercises lasted for (8) weeks, with (3) training units per week. The researcher reached the compound exercises (physical and skill) with auxiliary tools had a great impact in developing some basic skills of basketball players & The skill exercises with auxiliary tools had an effective role in developing these skills adopted in the research. Through the conclusions, the researcher recommends The need to pay attention to the use of various complex physical and skill exercises with auxiliary tools to develop some of the basic skills of the players & Emphasis on the use of compound exercises (physical and skill) with auxiliary tools during the training units because of their effective role in developing the basketball skills of the players.

In a previous study on young female basketball (1), grip strength resulted more related to shooting than physical size of players. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between anthropometric characteristics, grip strength, and shooting performance in male basketball players. Anthropometric parameters (i.e., height, Ht; body mass, BM; body mass index, BMI; hand middle finger length, MFL; hand finger span, FS; and perimeter of fingers, PF) and handgrip (the best of three trials) were assessed in 10 sub-elite (Serie B) Italian male basketball players (22.2±4.1 yrs). Participants performed 10 free-throw shots before (BS) and after (AS) a training session. The session-RPE (2) was used to evaluate the training load. Pearson correlation coefficients (p .05), significant negative relationships emerged between anthropometric parameters (Ht: r=- .81, p<.001; BM: r=-.76, p=.012; MFL: r=-.82, p<.001; FS: r=-.82, p<.001; PF: r=-.70, p=.025) and BS. Conversely, AS showed significant negative correlations only with respect to Bt (r=-.69, p=.028), MFL (r=- .71, p=.021), and FS (r=-.70, p=.023). Furthermore, a significant relationship emerged between handgrip and BS (r=-.76, p=.012) only. Finally, session-RPE was highly correlated to AS (r ranging from -.55 to -.83, p<.001) and to the difference BS-AS (r ranging from .44 to .79, p<.001). Although significant relationships emerged for basketball players’ anthropometric, handgrip, and BS values, the same picture do not emerged for AS, probably due to a heterogonous adaptation to training loads.

Background and Aims: There is widespread asymmetry in the body of athletes, which can affect and limit their performance in training and competition, leading to the potential and realistic risk of injury. This paper aims to improve the asymmetry of athletes and improve their performance and prevent injuries. The single-leg compound training method was used to explore the effect and degree of the improvement of the lower limb asymmetry in basketball players. Methodology: Experimental method, measurement method and questionnaire survey method are divided into pre-experiment and formal experiment. The measurement takes 38 male high-level basketball players to measure and evaluate the strength index. The formal experiment was designed with one-factor completely randomized experiment. High-level basketball players were randomly selected as the main subjects and randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group conducted single-leg compound training intervention for 8 weeks, and the control group conducted normal teaching training. The Pre-and Posttest tested the degree of lower limb asymmetry and physical fitness performance of the lower limb asymmetry and physical fitness performance indicators between the experimental group and the control group before and after the intervention. Result: The results found that: (1) Male college basketball second-level players have the asymmetry of the lower limb strength, and the asymmetry degree of the strength index on both sides of the lower limbs is more obvious. (2) 8-week single-leg compound training can effectively improve the asymmetry of lower limb strength in male college basketball players. (3) The decrease of lower limb asymmetry in male college basketball players can significantly improve the explosive force of lower limbs. This shows that the improvement of lower limb asymmetry can improve the physical performance of basketball players. Conclusion: The study shows that male college basketball players' explosive force and overall physical performance on the court can be greatly improved by targeting their lower limb strength asymmetry through targeted training. More balanced strength distribution can result from effective training interventions, which will ultimately enhance athletic performance.

The effect of TRX, combined with vibration training, on BMI, the body fat percentage, myostatin and follistatin, the strength endurance and layup shot skills of female basketball players

Ankle taping (AT) is effective in preventing ankle sprain injuries in most common sports and is employed in rehabilitation and prevention sports. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of AT to restricting excessive frontal plane ankle movements in semi-professional basketball players throughout the training session. A cross-sectional study was performed at the Universidad Europea de Madrid. Forty male and female semi-professional basketball players were divided into two groups. The ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and interlimb asymmetries in a weight-bearing lunge position were evaluated at four time points: 1) with no tape, 2) before practice, at 30 min of practice, and 3) immediately after practice. In male basketball players, no differences were observed in the right and left ankles between the baseline and 30 min and between baseline and 90 min of assessment. In female athletes, significant differences were reported between baseline and pre-training assessments for the right ankle and also significant differences between baseline and 90 min in both ankles. Ankle taping effectively decreased the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in male and female basketball players immediately after application. However, ROM restriction was very low after 30 and 90 min, as assessed in a single basketball practice. Therefore, the classic taping method should be revised to develop new prophylactic approaches, such as the implementation of semi-rigid bracing techniques or the addition of active stripes during training or game pauses.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on aerobic capacity and sports-specific skills in basketball players

Background and objective: Adolescence is a period when balance and coordination decrease as a result of rapid musculoskeletal growth. These changes may affect various sports-specific skills, including balance. This study aimed to examine the changes in balance performance and basketball passing speed in male youth basketball players following six weeks of balance training performed on unstable versus stable surfaces. Methods: Twenty-five male basketball players, mean age 15.53 ± 0.57 years, participated in balance training on different surfaces (unstable surface (US, n = 13); stable surface (SS, n = 12)) for six weeks (2 days/week; 35 to 50 min/day, incrementally). Their physical characteristics, passing skills (passing accuracy and speed test) and balance performance (Y-Balance Test and The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test) were measured. Results: The improvement rates for passing accuracy (effect size (ES) = 0.86, moderate, P &lt; 0.001), lower extremity (ES right = 0.94, moderate, P &lt; 0.001; ES left = 0.88, moderate, P &lt; 0.001) and upper extremity (ES right = 1.01, moderate, P &lt; 0.001; ES left = 0.94, moderate, P &lt; 0.001) balance scores, upper extremity stability test power (ES = 0.89, P ≤ 0.001) and the normalized scores (ES = 1.20, moderate, P &lt; 0.001) of the US group were higher than those of the SS group. Passing speed significantly increased only in the US group (P &lt; 0.028). Conclusion: A multi-dimensional surface training model improved balance performance and passing accuracy skills compared to a stable surface training model for male basketball players. US balance training may be used as a complementary training model to increase dynamic balance and passing accuracy skills for male basketball players.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess physiological-biochemical reactions to incremental exercise loads and the levels and development of endurance skills in young male and female team game players. Material/Methods: The study sample comprised 370 soccer, handball, basketball and volleyball players (186 girls and 184 boys) from the Lower Silesian Regional Teams in Poland, aged 14.20 ±1.37 years (boys) and 13.90 ±1.15 years (girls). The exercise test consisted ofthe shuttle run Beep Test for estimation of aerobic fitness. The assessment of endurance skills was based on the length of the covered distance in the Beep Test as well as on measurements of the heart rate (physiological) and blood lactate concentration (metabolic). Results: Among the four studied groups of players a statistically significant improvement in endurance skills was noted in male volleyball players (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Significantly higher levels of endurance skills in young male handball, basketball and volleyball players and in female volleyball players who remained on the regional teams for two consecutive years may be an indication of the players’ proper selection and training. Significant changes in blood lactate concentration in young players, revealed in both cross-sectional and continuous studies, were only noted in male volleyball players. Significant decreases in the heart rate in the cross-sectional study was found only in male handball and basketball players and in female basketball players, whereas in the continuous study only in male handball players. An assessment of young players’ physiological-biochemical reactions on the basis of exercise test results can effectively enhance the optimization of training loads.

Introduction: CrossFit training can mirror on a physical and technical basketball species improving explosive power, trunk stability, and agility, which are the main performance characteristics of basketball games. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the impact of an eight-week CrossFit-based training course will influence body composition, strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, rebounding, and footwork among male players. Methodology: The sample in the study was 32 Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabian players. Two groups were randomly assigned: experimental, which consisted of 16 players, and control, which also consisted of 16 players. The implementation of an experimental eight-week program was conducted with both groups. The primary stage of the training session included CrossFit exercises in the experimental group. Results: The experimental group demonstrated better results as compared to the control group, with an improvement level of 5.85 to 18.20. (p &lt; 0.001; ES = 0.23-0.94). Discussion: The data obtained indicates improvements in body composition, muscle strength, and aerobic and anaerobic capacity, as well as basketball-specific skills (rebounding, footwork) increased in the group of participants (experimental group, EG) in the eight-week CrossFit training program, and the findings are higher compared to the control group (CG). Conclusion: The experimental program, which was implemented, had a positive effect on body composition, where a lower proportion of fat and more muscular mass was recorded. Owing to the incorporation of cross-fit training, muscular strength was also boosted, and some physiological variables were also strengthened, consequently making the participants enhance their rebounding and footwork abilities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8 weeks neuromuscular training program (NTP) on motoric and selected basketball skills in pre-pubescent male basketball players. Twenty-four male basketball players were divided into two homogeneous groups according to pre-test results; an intervention group (n = 12, age = 10.6 ± 0.75 years) and a control group (n = 12, age = 10.8 ± 0.68 years). All players trained together as a team; however, the intervention group participated in an 8 weeks NTP two times per week, while the control group followed their regular basketball training system as guided by their coach. Motoric skills were assessed according to the results of an agility t-test, 20 meters sprint, and tests of back strength, vertical jump, standing long jump, sit and reach, and standing stork balance. Basketball skills were assessed according to shooting and dribbling tests. Significant differences were found only in vertical jump and flexibility in the control group (p<0.05), whereas significant differences were found in all motoric and shooting skills in the intervention group (p<0.05). In addition, according to pre-test and post-test analysis of variance (ANOVA) results of the motoric and basketball skill scores of the groups, significant differences revealed in favor of the intervention group in agility, back strength, long jump, flexibility, and balance (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated the significant effects of NTP, which focused on motoric and shooting skills in pre-pubescent male basketball players.

Background Female collegiate athletes have been reported to have a higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury compared to male collegiate athletes. This finding has spawned a branch of research focused on understanding and preventing this injury pattern. Purpose To determine if the trends reported in 1994 have continued. Study Type Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System database was reviewed for all data relating to men's and women's basketball and soccer anterior cruciate ligament injuries for 1990 to 2002. Results No significant difference was seen in basketball comparing frequency of contact versus noncontact injuries between men (70.1%) and women (75.7%). Male basketball players sustained 37 contact injuries and 78 noncontact injuries. Female basketball players sustained 100 contact injuries and 305 noncontact injuries. In soccer, there was a significant difference in frequency of injury for male (49.6%) and female (58.3%) athletes when comparing contact and noncontact injuries (χ2 = 4.1, P <. 05). Male soccer players sustained 72 contact injuries and 66 noncontact injuries. Female soccer players sustained 115 contact injuries and 161 noncontact injuries. The magnitude of the difference in injury rates between male and female basketball players (0.32-0.21, P =. 93) remained constant, whereas the magnitude of the difference in the rate of injuries between male and female soccer players (0.16-0.21, P =. 08) widened. Comparing injury within gender by sport, soccer players consistently sustained more anterior cruciate ligament injuries than did basketball players. The rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury for male soccer players was 0.11 compared to 0.08 for male basketball players (P =. 002). The rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury for female soccer players was 0.33 and for female basketball players was 0.29 (P =. 04). The rates for all anterior cruciate ligament injuries for women were statistically significantly higher (P <. 01) than the rates for all anterior cruciate ligament injuries for men, regardless of the sport. In soccer, the rate of all anterior cruciate ligament injuries across the 13 years for male soccer players significantly decreased (P =. 02), whereas it remained constant for female players. Conclusions In this sample, the rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury, regardless of mechanism of injury, continues to be significantly higher for female collegiate athletes than for male collegiate athletes in both soccer and basketball. Clinical Relevance Despite vast attention to the discrepancy between anterior cruciate ligament injury rates between men and women, these differences continue to exist in collegiate basketball and soccer players. Also demonstrated is that although the rate of injury for women is higher than for men, the actual rate of injury remains low and should not be a deterrent to participation in sports.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an in-season strength and conditioning program on physical abilities in under-16 sub-elite basketball players. Sixteen young male basketball players were assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), 10-meters sprint and Pro Agility Test, before and after an 8-week in-season strength and conditioning program. Both the control group (BASK; N.=7) and the experimental group (SC; N.=9) were involved in regular basketball practice; additionally, the SC group performed 4 sessions per week of training intervention considering postmatch days and prior days to next match. The training protocol consisted of three components: a stabilization block, a neuromuscular/strength block (i.e. circuit of mobility, plyometric, coordination, reaction, and stability exercises) and a power block (i.e. resisted movement training performed with VertiMax V6 platform). Substantial improvements in CMJ (likely; d=0.30-0.47) were found in both groups. Moreover, the SC group displayed substantial increase in SJ (likely; d=0.07-1.26) and also in 10 m-sprint (d=-0.13-1.34). The between-group analysis also revealed greater improvements for the SC group in 10-m sprint (d=1.37) and SJ (d=0.50). In -season regular basketball practice plus strength and conditioning training program can lead to a greater improvement on jumping and sprinting abilities in male young basketball players comparing to the regular basketball training.

Introduction: Good physical fitness refers to the ability of the human body to perform daily study and work activities effectively without fatigue. The physical quality of men’s basketball players is one of the essential factors affecting the team’s performance. Core strength training refers to the work of the stabilization-related muscle groups located at the meeting of the base of the trunk, spine, pelvis, and lower limbs of the human body. It is believed that core strength training can help improve the basketball player’s athletic physical conditioning. Objective: This study aims to explore the reactions that core strength training can provoke on physical fitness in male college basketball players. Methods: Delphi method, principal component and factor analysis, R-type cluster analysis, and professional logic analysis were used to study the physical fitness quality of male college basketball players. Results: The test indicators and methods selected in this paper can reflect the fitness level of athletes. There was no significant difference in speed, flexibility and lower body strength of athletes in different defense position, forward position and center position (P&gt;0.05). The fitness level of athletes after core strength training was significantly improved (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Core strength training can improve fundamental skills of basketball players, such as fast dribbling and short-duration running at high intensity. College male basketball players were shown to improve their indicators of physical fitness and overall physical conditioning. The results of this research provide a verified protocol that justifies its inclusion in the training of college male basketball players. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 8 weeks of small-sided basketball games (SSG) training using baskets (SSGbk) and ball possession games without baskets (SSGbpg) on various neuromuscular parameters in young male basketball players. Specifically, the study examined unilateral isometric knee flexor strength (KFS), unilateral isometric knee extensor strength (KES), bilateral countermovement jump peak power and peak landing force (CMJ), and leg land and hold test (LHT) peak landing force. This randomized controlled study included two experimental groups (SSGbk and SSGbpg) and one control group. Fifty regional competitive-level male youth basketball players (16.7 ± 0.5 years) were assigned to the groups. The experimental groups participated in two additional SSG weekly training sessions over 8 weeks. Both experimental groups were exposed to the same 2v2 to 4v4 formats of play and training volume, with the only difference being that one group performed ball possession games while the other participated in games targeting to score in the basket. Players were evaluated twice: once at baseline in the week prior to the intervention period, and again in the week post-intervention. The neuromuscular tests were conducted using force platforms. Significant interactions between time and groups were observed in KES (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.902), KFS (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.880), and CMJ peak power (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.630). Significant differences between groups were found post-intervention for the variables of KES (p = 0.017; η p 2 = 0.159), KFS (p = 0.011; η p 2 = 0.174), CMJ peak power (p = 0.017; η p 2 = 0.160), CMJ peak landing force (p = 0.020; η p 2 = 0.154), and LHT peak power (p = 0.012; η p 2 = 0.171). In conclusion, our study highlights that the SSGbk significantly increases neuromuscular adaptations in young male basketball players. Conversely, our findings do not support the efficacy of SSGbpg in targeting these specific physical fitness variables. Therefore, the use of SSGs must be carefully considered, particularly in selecting task conditions, to ensure efficacy in interventions.