Repeated sprint ability in young basketball players: one vs. two changes of direction (Part 1)

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the changes of direction on repeated sprint ability (RSA) vs. intensive repeated sprint ability (IRSA) protocols in basketball. Eighteen young male basketball players performed on RSA [10 × 30-m (15 + 15-m, one change of direction)] and IRSA [10 × 30-m (10 + 10 + 10-m, two changes of direction)]. A correlation matrix between RSA, IRSA, "squat jump (SJ)-countermovement jump (CMJ)", footstep analysis and total distance in Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 was performed. The best time, worst time, total time and the number of footsteps were significantly smaller in the RSA test compared to IRSA test (P < 0.001), even though they were significantly correlated with each other (r > 0.80, P < 0.05). Blood lactate level and fatigue index did not show any difference between tests. The sensibility of the two tests assessed by the Bland-Altman analysis revealed a small bias (<1.5%) for almost all variables. Moreover, almost all time variables of the two tests were significantly correlated with the SJ (r > 0.478, P < 0.05), CMJ (r > 0.515, P < 0.05) and Yo-Yo (r > 0.489, P < 0.05) performances. The IRSA provided a reliable method for assessing specific sprint ability (with 10-m legs for IRSA ~2.3 s vs. 15 m for RSA ~3 s) with a closer link to basketball game's actions (~2 s). Besides, IRSA could be an appropriate choice for assessing both RSA and changes of direction capacities in basketball players.

The acute effect of exercise intensity on free throws in young basketball players

“…On the other hand, less information is available about the effect of exercise intensity on FT accuracy. A basketball player might perform FT under situations varying largely for exercise intensity due to the intermittent nature of basketball [11,12], e.g. after rest, when a substitute enters the game and shoots FT or after high-intensity play game.…”

Racial differences in hemoglobin and plasma volume variation: implications for muscle performance and recovery

“…However, while data are available for sprint competition, performance disparities between West Sub-Saharan African and Caucasian athletes in response to repeated sprint (RS) are sparsely studied. Definitely, repeated-sprint ability (RSA) is an important fitness component for the team-sport athletes (Padulo et al 2015). Team-sports have a high sequences of repeated short high-intensity efforts (i.e.…”

Relationship of body mass status with running and jumping performances in young basketball players

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IntroductionThe research on the physical determinants of basketball performance from a physiological perspective has focused on profiling of physical fitness characteristics of elite players [1][2][3][4][5][6] . It has been suggested that elite basketball players should have high stature and increased anaerobic power 7,8 .

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