The Effect of Sprinting After Each Set of Heavy Resistance Training on the Running Speed and Jumping Performance of Young Basketball Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 10-week heavy resistance combined with a running training program on the strength, running speed (RS), and vertical jump performance of young basketball players. Twenty-six junior basketball players were equally divided in 2 groups. The control (CON) group performed only technical preparation and the group that followed the combined training program (CTP) performed additionally 5 sets of 8-5 repetition maximum (RM) half squat with 1 30-m sprint after each set. The evaluation took place before training and after the 5th and 10th weeks of training. Apart from the 1RM half squat test, the 10- and 30-m running time was measured using photocells and the jump height (squat, countermovement jump, and drop jump) was estimated taking into account the flight time. The 1RM increased by 30.3 +/- 1.5% at the 10th week of training for the CTP group (p < 0.05), whereas the CON group showed no significant increase (1.1 +/- 1.6%, p > 0.05). In general, all measured parameters showed a statistically significant increase after the 5th and 10th weeks (p < 0.05), in contrast to the CON group (p > 0.05). This suggests that the applied CTP is beneficial for the strength, RS, and jump height of young basketball players. The observed adaptations in the CTP group could be attributed to learning factors and to a more optimal transfer of the strength gain to running and jumping performance.

Limited Post-activation Potentiation Effects Provided by the Walking Lunge on Sprint Acceleration: A Preliminary Analysis

“…A load equivalent to 85% of 1RM was adopted for the WL. Even though this was based on previous PAP research that has utilized this load [13,21,23,28], there is also research that has found potentiation with heavier loads of approximately 90% of 1RM [18,19,39]. Forthcoming studies could analyze whether using a heavier load for the WL can potentiate sprint acceleration.…”

“…The other PAP testing session involved the subject performing the WL immediately after the dynamic warm-up. The loading selected for the WL (5 repetitions with 85% of 1RM) was based on previous research [13,21,23,28]. Further, Yetter and Moir [16] stated that volume was more important than the actual load for eliciting a PAP response in sprinting.…”

“…Sprinting is a cyclic action, where the individual will alternate between unilateral ground contact and flight [22]. One of the key issues for an athlete in transferring general strength to the sprint step is ensuring that the neuromuscular system can control the augmented strength specific to the maximal running task [23]. Indeed, this is why unilateral strength exercises such as lunges [24,25] have been recommended for speed training.…”

“…A load equating to a five-repetition maximum (5RM) WL was utilized [13,21,23,28]. The effects on 20-m sprint performance following the 5RM WL were compared to a control condition (CC) of 4 min rest.…”

Theoretical Background and Practical Applications of the Physiological Mechanism of Post-Activation Potentiation

“…Untrained subjects demonstrated that between sets, jump height occasionally increased and then decreased (Smilios, Pilianidis, Sotiropoulos, Antonakis, & Tokmakidis, 2005), while sprint time was not affected (Tsimahidis et al, 2010). In trained athletes, however, sprint performance between sets increased, underlying the importance of training background (Tsimachidis, Patikas, Galazoulas, Bassa, & Kotzamanidis, 2013).…”