Improvement of Repeated-Sprint Ability and Horizontal-Jumping Performance in Elite Young Basketball Players With Low-Volume Repeated-Maximal-Power Training
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
Purpose:
To examine the effects of a low-volume repeated-power-ability (RPA) training program on repeated-sprint and changeof-direction (COD) ability and functional jumping performance.
Methods:
Twenty-two male elite young basketball players (age 16.2 ± 1.2 y, height 190.0 ± 10.0 cm, body mass 82.9 ± 10.1 kg) were randomly assigned either to an RPA-training group (n = 11) or a control group (n = 11). RPA training consisted of leg-press exercise, twice a week for 6 wk, of 1 or 2 blocks of 5 sets × 5 repetitions with 20 s of passive recovery between sets and 3 min between blocks with the load that maximized power output. Before and after training, performance was assessed by a repeated-sprint-ability (RSA) test, a repeated-COD-ability test, a hop for distance, and a drop jump followed by tests of a double unilateral hop with the right and left legs.
Results:
Within-group and between-groups differences showed substantial improvements in slowest (RSAs) and mean time (RSAm) on RSA; best, slowest and mean time on repeated-COD ability; and unilateral right and left hop in the RPA group in comparison with control. While best time on RSA showed no improvement in any group, there was a large relationship (r = .68, 90% CI .43;.84) between the relative decrement in RSAm and RSAs, suggesting better sprint maintenance with RPA training. The relative improvements in best and mean repeated-COD ability were very largely correlated (r = .89, 90% CI .77;.94).
Conclusions:
Six weeks of low-volume (4–14 min/wk) RPA training improved several physical-fitness tests in basketball players.
Gonzalo-Skok and Arjol-Serrano are with the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of San Jorge, Zaragoza, Spain. Tous-Fajardo is with the Dept of Strength and Conditioning, Italian National Team (FIGC), CTF Cover-ciano, Italy. Suarez-Arrones is with the Faculty of Sport, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain. Casajús is with the Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development Research Group, Zaragoza, Spain. Mendez-Villanueva is with Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar.
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