ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2017 December;57(12):1557-63

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06640-8

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of volume-based overload plyometric training on maximal-intensity exercise adaptations in young basketball players

Abbas ASADI ¹, Rodrigo RAMIREZ-CAMPILLO ^{2, 3}, Cesar MEYLAN ^{4, 5}, Fabio Y. NAKAMURA ^{6, 7}, Rodrigo CAÑAS-JAMETT ^{8, 9}, Mikel IZQUIERDO ^{10, 11} ✉

¹ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Payame Noor University, Teheran, Iran; ² Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Research Nucleus in Health, Physical Activity and Sport, University of Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile; ³ Laboratory of Exercise Sciences, MEDS Clinic, Santiago, Chile; ⁴ Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; ⁵ Canadian Soccer Association, Ottawa, Canada; ⁶ College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia; ⁷ Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; ⁸ Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar, Chile; ⁹ Laboratory of Exercise Sciences, Movement Solutions, Viña del Mar, Chile; ¹⁰ GICAEDS Group, Faculty of Physical Culture, Sport and Recreation, University of Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia; ¹¹ Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare maximal-intensity exercise adaptations in young basketball players (who were strong individuals at baseline) participating in regular basketball training versus regular plus a volume-based plyometric training program in the pre-season period.
METHODS: Young basketball players were recruited and assigned either to a plyometric with regular basketball training group (experimental group [EG]; N.=8), or a basketball training only group (control group [CG]; N.=8). The athletes in EG performed periodized (i.e., from 117 to 183 jumps per session) plyometric training for eight weeks. Before and after the intervention, players were assessed in vertical and broad jump, change of direction, maximal strength and a 60-meter sprint test.
RESULTS: No significant improvements were found in the CG, while the EG improved vertical jump (effect size [ES] 2.8), broad jump (ES=2.4), agility T test (ES=2.2), Illinois agility test (ES=1.4), maximal strength (ES=1.8), and 60-m sprint (ES=1.6) (P<0.05) after intervention, and the improvements were greater compared to the CG (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Plyometric training in addition to regular basketball practice can lead to meaningful improvements in maximal-intensity exercise adaptations among young basketball players during the pre-season.

KEY WORDS: Muscle strength - Sports - Youth - Strength training - Stretch-shortening cycle