Development of Repeated Sprint Ability in Talented Youth Basketball Players

Abstract

Factors affecting repeated sprint ability (RSA) were evaluated in a mixed-longitudinal sample of 48 elite basketball players 14-19 years of age (16.1 ± 1.7 years). Players were observed on 6 occasions during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. Three following basketball-specific field tests were administered on each occasion: the shuttle sprint test for RSA, the vertical jump for lower body explosive strength (power), and the interval shuttle run test for interval endurance capacity. Height and weight were measured; body composition was estimated (percent fat, lean body mass). Multilevel modeling of RSA development curve was used with 32 players (16.0 ± 1.7 years) who had 2 or more observations. The 16 players (16.1 ± 1.8 years) measured on only 1 occasion were used as a control group to evaluate the appropriateness of the model. Age, lower body explosive strength, and interval endurance capacity significantly contributed to RSA (p ≤ 0.05). Repeated sprint ability improved with age from 14 to 17 years (p ≤ 0.05) and reached a plateau at 17-19 years. Predicted RSA did not significantly differ from measured RSA in the control group (p ≥ 0.05). The results suggest a potentially important role for the training of lower body explosive strength and interval endurance capacity in the development of RSA among youth basketball players. Age-specific reference values for RSA of youth players may assist basketball coaches in setting appropriate goals for individual players.

Evolution of Determinant Factors of Repeated Sprint Ability

“…In line with our results, two studies have observed significant relationships (r = .63 to .75, p < 0.05) between maximal sprint speed and RSA mean (Dardouri et al, 2014; Ingebrigtsen et al, 2014), whereas a vertical jump has shown a lower relationship (r = -.35 to -.74) with RSA mean (Stojanovic et al, 2012; te Wierike et al, 2014); however, these studies used basketball players, which might hamper the comparisons between the obtained results. Maximal sprint speed was expected to have a greater effect on RSA performance than jumping height, as both tests require the same ability (running sprint).…”

“…Besides, the low-moderate relationships observed between soccer player´s endurance capacity and RSA performance suggest that factors others than aerobic fitness such as anaerobic performance might explain RSA performance in soccer players (Aziz et al, 2007; Castagna et al, 2007). In this regard, previous studies have underlined significant relationships between RSA and vertical jump performance (r = .35 to .81) (Dawson et al, 1993; Stojanovic et al, 2012; te Wierike et al, 2014; Tonnessen et al, 2011). Furthermore, the maximal sprinting speed has shown a great influence on RSA best (Lopez-Segovia et al, 2015) and RSA mean (Chaouachi et al, 2010; Dardouri et al, 2014; Dawson et al, 1993) suggesting that speed is the main predictor of overall repeated-sprint performance (Buchheit and Mendez-Villanueva, 2014).…”

Acute Responses to 10×15 m Repeated Sprint Ability Exercise in Adolescent Athletes: the Role of Change of Direction and Sport Specialization

“…The basketball players were taller and heavier than the control group. Stature (184 cm) was similar as that previously reported in 17 years (182 cm) (16) and in 16 years basketball players of elite Greek clubs (186 cm) (18), and lower than in 17 years select basketball players from the Dutch basketball academy (Netherlands) (190 cm) (6). Body mass (76.5 kg) was similar to that of 17 year Dutch basketball players (77.6 kg) (6), and lower than Greek basketball players (79.3 kg) (18).…”

“…Furthermore, adding a COD, i.e. a trajectory with turn of 180 degrees angle would be expected to benefit the shorter group (in the present study, the shorter group was the control group) (6), since the large anthropometric dimensions of basketball players might not facilitate such turns. Surprisingly, the respective differences in RSACOD were +1.08 seconds and +0.07 seconds), i.e.…”

Comparison of Functional Movement Screen, Star Excursion Balance Test, and Physical Fitness in Junior Athletes with Different Sports Injury Risk

“…Moreover, an increase of sprint ability could improve jump performance. Both abilities influenced each other and could be predictors of sport performance [22]. The agility T test and vertical jump scores of participants with a high risk of sports injury (FMS score ≤ 14; SEBT score difference < 4 cm) were not significantly different from those with low risk injury in this study.…”