Optimal Drop Height in Prepubertal Boys Is Revealed by the Performance in Squat Jump.

Drop jump (DJ) performance gain with increasing drop height is well documented in adults, but there is still no clear evidence of such gain in children. This study aimed to examine the differences in DJ performance gain in male adults and prepubescent boys by comparing drop heights tailored to each individual's performance and expressed as a percentage of their squat jump (SJ) performance. Fifteen boys (9-11 y) and 15 men (19-27 y) executed DJs from drop heights that were set at 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of their best performance in SJ (DJ75, DJ100, DJ125, and DJ150, respectively). Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), contact time and kinematics of the lower extremities were captured. The results showed that boys jumped significantly lower than adults in DJs, and both age groups presented jumping gain with increasing drop height, up to DJ125. Boys demonstrated longer total contact time, lower angular velocity and vGRF during the propulsive phase, as well as smaller knee flexion at touchdown and lower reactive strength index. vGRF in DJ75 and DJ100 was lower than in DJ125 and DJ150. The highest value for maximum knee flexion was also presented at DJ150. It is concluded that in prepubescent boys, the appropriate drop height for an effective DJ is linked to their performance in SJ and might be between 75% and 125% of their maximum SJ performance.

Effect of Combined Sensorimotor-Resistance Training on Strength, Balance, and Jumping Performance of Soccer Players.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) and sensorimotor training combined with RT (SM-RT) on balance, 1 repetition maximum (RM), rate of force development (RFD), and squat jump (SJ) height. Twenty amateur soccer players were equally divided into 2 groups assigned as SM-RT group (age: 22 ± 1.7 years, body mass: 79.9 ± 6.3 kg, body height: 1.81 ± 0.06 m) and RT group (age: 21.3 ± 1.3 years, body mass: 77.4 ± 9.3 kg, body height: 1.78 ± 0.04 m). Both groups were trained over a 6-week period with 2 session units per week. SM-RT group performed sensorimotor training (balance on balance board) followed by a high-intensity RT at 8-5RM leg press. The RT group performed the resistance program only. Both groups showed significantly increased 1RM leg press strength, RFD, SJ height, and balance abilities (p ≤ 0.05), whereas no significant between-group differences were observed in any of the outcome variables (p > 0.05). It was concluded that SM-RT was not superior compared with RT for both balance and strength enhancement. These findings have implications in time management during training for soccer players.

Acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on balance, agility, reaction time and movement time.

The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of three different stretching protocols on balance, agility, reaction time and movement time of the upper limbs. Participants were thirty one female high school athletes (age = 17.3 ± 0.5 yr.). All participants performed one of the following protocols on different days: (a) 3 min jogging followed by 7 min static stretching (SS), (b) 3 min jogging followed by 7 min dynamic stretching (DS), and (c) 3 min jogging followed by 7 min of rest (NS). After the protocols participants performed the following tests: dynamic balance, 505 agility test, reaction time (time between a sound stimulus and release of a button) and movement time (movement of the upper extremity over a 0.5 m distance). The order of stretching protocols and performance tests were counterbalanced to avoid carryover effects. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant main effects for all variables except reaction time. The DS protocol compared to SS performed significantly better in balance, agility and movement time. Additionally, the DS protocol compared to NS performed significantly better in agility. According to the results of the study, a DS protocol is more appropriate than SS for activities that require balance, rapid change of running direction (agility) and movement time of the upper extremities. Key pointsStatic stretching has a negative effect on balance and agility performance compared to dynamic stretching.There was no effect of the stretching protocols on reaction time.Dynamic stretching was more effective than static stretching for increasing movement time of the upper extremities.

The post-activation potentiation effect on sprint performance after combined resistance/sprint training in junior basketball players.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a 10-week combined resistance/sprint training programme in the post-activation potentiation of sprint performance before, between and after resistance training sets. Twenty-six junior basketball players were randomly divided into a control and a combined training group. The combined training group performed a combined training programme consisting of 5 sets at 5-8 RM (Repetition Maximum) half-squats with sprints performed between each set. Post-activation potentiation was considered as the increase in sprint velocity in trials executed between and after the resistance sets compared with the sprint trial performed before the resistance sets of the respective first and last training session. For sprint evaluation the running distances 0-10 and 0-30 m were selected. The intervention increased both strength and sprint performance. No post-activation potentiation effect was observed during the first training session in either group. Post-activation potentiation appeared in the combined training group during the last training session of the intervention in both 0-10 and 0-30 m sprint. This study illustrates that post-activation potentiation effect on sprint performance in junior basketball players, who did not previously follow systematic resistance training, emerges after a 10-week resistance/sprint combined training programme.

Gradual decline in performance and changes in biochemical parameters of basketball players while resting after warm-up.

Warm-up is used before every competitive sporting activity as a means to activate the body, reduce the risk of injury and increase performance in subsequent tasks. However, there is little information on how long the effects of warm-up last. This is of particular interest in basketball playing, since no rewarm-up is allowed to players who sit on the bench. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine changes in performance and biochemical parameters of basketball players while resting after warm-up. On each of four consecutive days, 14 elite basketball players (7 male and 7 female) performed a structured warm-up program, after which they had body temperature measured, provided blood samples and performed countermovement jump and 20-m run tests. Then, they rested for either 10, 20, 30 or 40 min in a random, counterbalanced order. Temperature measurement, blood sampling, and performance testing were repeated after each rest interval. Body temperature and countermovement jump decreased gradually during rest (p < 0.05 for linear trend), whereas 10- and 20-m run times increased gradually (p < 0.05 for linear trend). Serum glucose decreased during rest (p = 0.028) independent of interval duration. We conclude that there is a relatively fast decline in jumping and running performance when basketball players remain inactive after warm-up. Our study highlights the need to address the rapid drop in performance after warm-up for the basketball players who do not participate in a game from the start.

The effect of sprinting after each set of heavy resistance training on the running speed and jumping performance of young basketball players.

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.

Effects of basketball training on maximal oxygen uptake, muscle strength, and joint mobility in young basketball players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of prolonged basketball skills training on maximal aerobic power, isokinetic strength, joint mobility, and body fat percentage, in young basketball players, and controls of the same age. Twenty basketball players and 18 control boys participated in the study. Basketball players participated both in their school's physical education program and in a children's basketball team training program. Controls participated only in their school's physical education program. All subjects were tested every 6 months (18 months total, 11(1/2), 12, 12(1/2), 13 years old) for VO(2)max, peak torque values of the quadriceps and hamstrings at 180 and 300 degrees x s(-1) and range of motion of the knee and hip joints. Body fat percentage was assessed at the beginning and the end of the experimental period. Results showed that the basketball group had lower heart rate values in all ages and higher VO(2) values in the initial test compared with the control in submaximal intensity. The VO(2)max was altered in both groups on the final test, when compared to the initial test. However, the basketball group had a higher VO(2)max on each of the 6-month follow-up measurements, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). At the end of the 18-month follow-up period no significant differences were observed in isokinetic strength and joint mobility of the lower limbs between the 2 groups. On the contrary, the boys of the trained group had significantly lower percentage body fat values, compared to controls. In conclusion, regular basketball training increased aerobic power and decreased body fat percentage of prepubescent boys, while it did not affect muscle strength and joint mobility of the lower limbs. The major implication suggested by the findings of the present study is that, in order to improve the basic physical components, specific training procedures should be incorporated during the basketball training sessions. It is recommended that all children should be involved in some type of cardiovascular and resistance training program.