The effects of small-sided games, skills development and plyometric training protocols on the physical performance of youth male basketball players

Abstract

<p>Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the effect of three basketball specific training protocols on changes in physical performance of youth basketball players. Methods: Thirty-eight youth male basketball players (age: 13.9 ± 0.5 y.o.; height: 172.9 ± 9.3 cm.; body mass 57.0 ± 10.9 kg; wingspan: 174.5 ± 10.5 cm.), participated in this study and were assigned to four different groups: small-sided games (SSG), skills development (SKILLS), plyometric training (PLYO), and control group. During an 8-week experimental training period, players followed their regular training schedule with inclusion of 2 weekly experimental training sessions for SSG, SKILSS and PLYO groups. Before and after experimental period, participants completed physical assessment testing procedures and were monitored during a simulated 5x5 basketball matches using VXSport inertial movement devices. Results: Linear-mixed model analysis showed that different training protocols have a different effect on basketball specific movement speed (p < 0.001), maximal oxygen uptake (p < 0.001), distance covered (p < 0.001), and total jumps completed during a simulated match (p = 0.032). Post-hoc analysis showed that SKILLS and PLYO significantly improved basketball specific movement speed (p < 0.05), PLYO significantly increased distance covered during a simulated match (p < 0.001), with no other post-hoc effects found. No effect of applied protocols was found for the assessment of 5-m and 20-m sprint, countermovement jump, drop-jump height and contact time (p > 0.05). Moreover, no effect was found for maximum running speed, number of sprints, accelerations and decelerations measured in simulated matches from pre-to-post experimental period (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that three different basketball specific training protocols have distinctive effect on physical performance in youth male basketball players.</p>