Repeated Sprint Ability in Young Basketball Players: Multi-direction vs. One-Change of Direction (Part 1).

Johnny Padulo,Marcello Oggianu,Nicola L Bragazzi,Gian M Migliaccio,Pantelis T Nikolaidis,Fabio Pizzolato,Giuseppe Attene,Antonio Dello Iacono,Alessandro M Zagatto,Juliano Dal Pupo

doi:10.3389/fphys.2016.00133

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability of a novel multi-direction repeated sprint ability (RSA) test [RSM; 10 × (6 × 5-m)] compared with a RSA with one change of direction [10 × (2 × 15-m)], and the relationship of the RSM and RSA with Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) and jump performances [squat jump (SJ) and counter-movement-jump (CMJ)]. Thirty-six (male, n = 14, female n = 22) young basketball players (age 16.0 ± 0.9 yrs) performed the RSM, RSA, Yo-Yo IR1, SJ, and CMJ, and were re-tested only for RSM and RSA after 1 week. The absolute error of reliability (standard error of the measurement) was lower than 0.212 and 0.617-s for the time variables of the RSA and RSM test, respectively. Performance in the RSA and RSM test significantly correlated with CMJ and SJ. The best time, worst time, and total time of the RSA and RSM test were negatively correlated with Yo-Yo IR1 distance. Based on these findings, consistent with previously published studies, it was concluded that the novel RSM test was valid and reliable.

Highlights

Basketball is characterized by high intensity short-duration activities, interspersed by low-to-moderate intensity motion patterns
The main findings of the present study were that: (a) multi change of direction repeated sprints was a reliable test, whose reliability was comparable with the that of repeated sprint ability (RSA); (b) no difference was found in multi change of direction variables (BT, BLa, IF, and RPE) between test and re-test, (c) moderate correlations between multi change of direction and RSA with regards to BT, TT, WT, BLa, and RPE were observed, and (d) large correlations of multi change of direction and RSA time variables with performance indices (SJ, counter movement jump (CMJ), and Yo-Yo IR1)
The evaluation of multi change of direction test reliability showed that BT, BLa, IF, and RPE yielded same results on two occasions separated by 1 week

Summary

Introduction

Basketball is characterized by high intensity short-duration activities (e.g., sprinting, jumping, passing, and shooting; Padulo et al, 2015a), interspersed by low-to-moderate intensity motion patterns (e.g., standing, walking, and jogging). Seems that the ability to continuously perform intermittent high-intensity actions throughout the game is crucial for basketball players (Ben Abdelkrim et al, 2007). Time motion analyses (Ben Abdelkrim et al, 2007) have consistently reported that players perform repeatedly short sprints during the match, suggesting that success in basketball participation appears to be mostly dependent on the players’ anaerobic metabolism and abilities (Padulo et al, 2015b). Repeated Sprint Ability in Basketball (Meckel et al, 2009; Caprino et al, 2012; Balsalobre-Fernández et al, 2014), as well as for training session strategy (Attene et al, 2015b). Taking into account the numerous changes of direction occurring during match, a protocol with a change of direction [e.g., 10 × (15 + 15-m) with 30-s passive recovery] might be more sport-specific than those with no change of direction

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion