Differences of muscular performance between professional and young basketball players

Abstract

High performance in a vertical jump, ability to repeat short sprints (RSA) and muscle power are all three most relevant factors for professional basketball players. Still, there is a lack of studies analyzing the differences of these variables between professional and young basketball players. The aim of this research is to study the differences on the vertical jump, the RSA and mechanical power between professional and elite young basketball players. For this, 11 professional (n = 11, age = 24.3 ± 5.5 years, height = 200 ± 10.4 cm, weight = 98.4 ± 8.7 kg) and nine elite young basketball players (n = 9, age = 15.2 ± 0.4 years, height = 190 ± 6.5 cm, weight = 78.2 ± 5.2 kg) were tested on the Repeated Sprint Test (RAST), Countermovement Jump (CMJ) before and after the RAST, 35 m sprint, and the mechanical power produced in these. The results show non-significance between groups as regards the RAST fatigue index, CMJ height and 35 m sprint time. However, professional players produced significantly more power in these variables than young elite players (p < 0.05 -0.001). These findings may have significant practical relevance on training programs intended for young basketball players.Key words: Adolescents, fitness, muscle power, sport. ResumenEl alto rendimiento en el salto vertical, la capacidad de repetir sprints (RSA) y la potencia muscular son 3 de las variables más importantes para los jugadores de baloncesto profesionales. Sin embargo, hay pocos estudios que analicen las diferencias en estas variables entre jugadores jóvenes de alto nivel y sujetos profesionales. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las diferencias en el salto vertical (CMJ), la RSA y la potencia muscular entre jugadores de baloncesto profesionales y jóvenes talentos. Para ello, un test de RSA, el CMJ antes y después del test de RSA, el sprint de 35 m y la potencia en dichas variables fueron medidas a 11 jugadores de baloncesto profesionales (n = 11, edad = 24.3 ± 5.5 años, altura = 200 ± 10.4 cm, peso = 98.4 ± 8.7 kg) y a 9 jugadores jóve-nes de élite (n = 9, edad = 15.2 ± 0.4 años, altura = 190 ± 6.5 cm, peso = 78.2 ± 5.2 kg). Los resultados muestran que no hay diferencias significativas entre grupos en la fatiga en el test de RSA, la altura alcanzada en el CMJ o el sprint de 35 m. Sin embargo, los jugadores profesionales produjeron significativamente más potencia en estas variables que los jóvenes (p < 0.05 -0.001). Estos hallazgos pueden tener relevancia práctica en el diseño de los programas de entrenamiento para jugadores jó-venes de baloncesto.

Elbow Extensors and Volar Flexors Strength Capacity and Its Relation to Shooting Performance in Basketball Players—A Pilot Study

“…There is a paucity of literature analysing the differences in muscle capacity between junior and senior elite basketball players, especially regarding the upper body. A previous study reported that senior basketball players produce significantly higher absolute power with lower extremities [21]. Our data suggest that there is no difference in neuromuscular quickness (as tested by k RTD-SF ), between juniors and seniors.…”

Hypovitaminosis D in Young Basketball Players: Association with Jumping and Hopping Performance Considering Gender

“…Both indoor training and seasonal variation are associated with low sun and ultraviolet (UVB) exposure, the main source from which the body synthesizes this vitamin [56]. It seems important, therefore, to monitor 25(OH)D concentrations throughout the basketball season in order to mitigate any potential effects that this insufficiency may cause for the players, despite the fact that these are initial stages in which they are still training and competing quite below the level of professional athletes [57,58].…”

A comparison of three different work to rest periods during intermittent sprint training on maintaining sprint effort performance

“…Brief maximal intensity efforts synonymous with open skill team sports will require significant energy contribution from the phosphagen pathways. 6 The phosphagen energy system is the predominant, although not exclusive, source of energy for maximal intensity actions lasting up to approximately six seconds 7 As most important actions in open skill sports are typically less than six seconds in duration, 8 the importance of phosphagen pathways to repeatedly provide energy for elite performance is apparent. The capacity of phosphagen energy system is limited by the rate at which phosphocreatine (PCr) can replenish ATP stores.…”