The cognitive benefits of basketball training compared to a combined endurance and resistance training regimen: a four-month intervention study.

Neurocognitive function, especially executive functioning, is positively associated with better fitness or higher levels of physical activity (PA). Previous research suggests that combined endurance and resistance (AER+R) training leads to greater improvements than training in either modality separately. Dynamic team sports with cognitive dimensions, such as basketball (BAS), may be an excellent context for improving cognition. This study compared the effects of following a four-month PA training program in BAS versus AER+R on executive functions along with a control group with low PA. Fifty participants completed the training period and were randomly distributed into three groups: BAS (16 participants), AER+R (18), and control (16). Participants in the BAS group showed improved inhibition and working memory and those in the AER+R group showed improved inhibition and cognitive flexibility, while inhibition deteriorated in the control group. There were significant differences between groups only in inhibition. It appears that following a four-month PA training program is enough to enhance executive functioning, and improvements in inhibition are more evident when the program includes an open sport such as BAS.

Effects of post-tetanic potentiation induced by whole-body electrostimulation and post-activation potentiation on maximum isometric strength.

It is currently unknown the most effective potentiation protocol to increase maximum strength. Hence, we investigated the separated and combined effects of post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) induced by whole-body electrostimulation (WB-EMS) and post-activation potentiation (PAP) induced by voluntary maximum isometric contractions on maximum isometric strength. Ten trained males were randomly evaluated on four occasions. In session A, maximum isometric strength (split squat) was measured in minutes 1, 4, and 8. In session B, the measurements were taken in minutes 2, 6, and 10. In session C, a WB-EMS protocol was applied to elicit PTP and the measurements were performed in minutes 1, 4, and 8. In session D, the same WB-EMS protocol was applied and the measurements were taken in minutes 2, 6, and 10. No significant differences in maximum isometric strength were observed between: (i) the control and WB-EMS in minutes 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2; (ii) the control and PAP in minutes 1 vs. 4, 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 6, and 2 vs. 10; and (iii) the PAP and WB-EMS plus PAP in minutes 4 vs. 4, 8 vs. 8, 6 vs. 6, and 10 vs. 10. In contrast, the WB-EMS plus PAP revealed a significant increase of 54% (~450 N) compared to the WB-EMS in minutes 4 and 8 compared to the minute 1 (p < 0.001), but not between minutes 2 vs. 6 and 2 vs. 10. The present results showed that PTP induced by WB-EMS in isolation or combined with PAP induced by voluntary maximum isometric contractions did not produce a significant increase in maximum isometric strength compared to the control and PAP alone, respectively.