Relationship Between Jumping Ability, Agility and Sprint Performance of Elite Young Basketball Players: A Field-Test Approach

Abbas Asadi

doi:10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n2p177

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n2p177 The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between sprint, agility and jump performance of elite young basketball players. Sixteen elite national level young male basketball players participated in this study. The jumping ability of each player was determined using countermovement jump (CMJ), and broad long jump (BLJ). The agility T test (TT) and Illinois agility test (IAT) were assessed to determine the agility, and 20-m sprint time was also measured to determine sprint performance. The results of Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis indicated moderate correlation between training age and IAT (r = -0.57; p = 0.021). Strong correlations were found between CMJ and BLJ (r = 0.71; p = 0.002), and between TT and IAT (r = 0.70; p = 0.002). Similarly, 20-m sprint time was strong correlated with CMJ (r = -0.61; p = 0.011), BLJ (r = -0.76; p = 0.001), TT (r = 0.77; p = 0.001), and IAT (r = 0.68; p = 0.003). In addition, CMJ was strongly correlated with TT (r = -0.60; p = 0.013), and IAT (r = -0.64; p = 0.007), and also strong correlation between BLJ with TT (r = -0.85; p = 0.001) and IAT (r = -0.76; p = 0.001). The findings of the present study indicated significant correlation between sprint and agility, jumping ability and sprint performance and between jumping ability and agility performance in basketball players. Therefore, the results suggest that sprint, agility and jumping ability share common physiological and biomechanical determinants.

Highlights

IntroductionThe ability to generate maximal strength levels in the shortest period of time (muscular power) has been considered as essential to obtain high sport performance level[1]
In basketball, the ability to generate maximal strength levels in the shortest period of time has been considered as essential to obtain high sport performance level[1]
The findings of the present study showed moderate to strong correlations between jumping ability and agility performance of young basketball players

Summary

Introduction

The ability to generate maximal strength levels in the shortest period of time (muscular power) has been considered as essential to obtain high sport performance level[1]. Many authors have suggested that power, agility and sprint are important characteristics for basketball players[1,3]. Jump height or jumping ability is very important for a basketball player, because of the player must jump as high as possible for achieving the ball during rebound task[4]. Sprinting ability play a critical role in basketball game, because during turns the players must run as fast as possible for the offensive and defensive structures[5]. Agility has been considered a physiological prerequisite in basketball[5], because players are frequently involved in a variety of sudden directional changes during the game in crossing the ball[6]

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