Drop jumps improve repeated sprint ability performance in professional basketball players

Influence of Intensity on Post-Running Jump Potentiation in Recreational Runners vs. Physically Active Individuals

The aim of this study was to verify post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in jumping and sprinting after two endurance volume-equated running protocols with different intensities, in runners vs. active individuals. Nine recreational runners (age: 34.5 ± 9.3 years, body mass: 73.1 ± 11.9 kg, body height: 1.76 ± 0.06 m, 17.4 ± 4.4 %body fat; maximum aerobic speed [MAS]: 16.4 ± 1.0 km•h-1), and 9 active individuals (age: 34.1 ± 9.4 years; body mass: 83.2 ± 7.7 kg; body height: 1.79 ± 0.06 m; 25.6 ± 5.4 %body fat; MAS: 13.3 ± 1.2 km•h-1) volunteered for participation. The evaluations were performed over three days as follows: 1) anthropometric measures, physical fitness tests, and the University of Montreal Track Test (UMTT) to determine MAS and the distance to be covered in the running protocols; 2 and 3) the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the flying 20-m sprint (SPRINT) were assessed pre- and post-running at 70% of MAS or a time trial race (TTR), equated by volume and completed in random order. A three-way ANOVA (time*group*running) was performed to analyze the PAPE effects. The results showed a time effect (F = 10 .716; p < 0.01) and a group*running interaction (F = 12.094; p < 0.01) for the CMJ, indicating that active individuals demonstrated PAPE after running at 70% of MAS, while for runners both running interventions (70% of MAS and TTR) induced PAPE in CMJ performances. For the SPRINT, a time*group interaction (F = 4.790; p = 0.044) and a group effect were observed, with runners showing greater SPRINT performances than active individuals. From the current results, it can be suggested that training background and intensity can modulate PAPE responses in jumping and sprinting after volume-equated running protocols at different intensities.

Post-activation performance enhancement effect of drop jump on long jump performance during competition

Drop jump is widely used in training sessions, aiming for chronic effects on long jump performance. However, the acute effect of drop jump on long jump performance through its use as a Conditioning Activity (CA) has not been explored. The objective of this study was to verify the Post-activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) responses induced by successive Drop Jumps (DJ) on competitive long jump performance. Eleven male jumpers (19.0 ± 2.0 years; 178.0 ± 9.0 cm; 73.1 ± 8.9 kg; and personal record 5.78 ± 0.44 m) volunteered for participation. The athletes performed 5 drop jumps 2 min (1'45-2'15 min) before the second, and fourth attempt during official competition of state level, the attempts without the use of CA were considered controls. The performance of the second (5.63 ± 0.43 m), third (5.65 ± 0.46, g = 0.24) and fourth (5.71 ± 0.34 m) jumps performed after activation were higher than the first (5.54 ± 0.45 m) in the control condition, p = 0.02, and p = 0.01 respectively. Differences were also found in the take-off vertical velocity of the jump between the fourth (1.55 ± 0.21) and the first jump (1.30 ± 0.40), p = 0.006. Jump performance showed positive correlation with approach velocity, r = 0.731, vertical take-off velocity, r = 0.412, and take-off duration, r = 0.508. The mean performance in jumping post-activation (5.67 ± 0.38 m) was higher than that without the use of previous CA (5.59 ± 0.44 m), p = 0.02, g = 0.19. The use of DJs as a CA prior to the long jump promotes improvements in the performance of the jump, which can be explained by the increase in the take-off vertical velocity in the athletes.

Acute effects of prior conditioning activity on change of direction performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the acute effects of prior conditioning activity (CA) on change of direction (COD) performance. Eligible studies, involving healthy participants undergoing acute CA with at least one measure of COD performance, were analysed across diverse databases. A total of 34 studies were included for systematic review with 19 studies included for the meta-analysis. The intervention condition resulted in significantly faster (Z = 4.39; standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.49; p < 0.05) COD performance compared with the control condition. Both unloaded and light loaded CA resulted in significantly greater (SMD = 0.58-0.59) COD performance compared to the control condition. Moreover, heavy loaded CA demonstrated a significant but small (SMD = 0.24) improvement in COD performance compared to the control condition. Age and study design had no effect on the overall meta-analysis outcomes. Both males and females exhibited similar moderate effects with CA but only males demonstrated significantly greater COD performance compared to control conditions. Our findings indicate that a range of CA protocols can acutely improve COD performance with unloaded and light-loaded CA resulting in the greatest performance enhancements. These findings will assist practitioners with the design and implementation of appropriate acute CA to improve COD performance.

Effects of whole-body vibration warm-up on subsequent jumping and running performance

The aim of this study was to examine whether acute whole-body vibration, a single bout of drop jumps, or a combination of both may enhance countermovement jump (CMJ) and would affect volitional pace 3 km running performance. Twelve healthy and recreationally active males completed 4 conditions in randomized order: (i) 5 sets of 30 s calf raises on the platform but without vibration; (ii) 5 sets of 30 s calf raises on the vibration platform with 30 s rest intervals between sets; (iii) 5 sets of 6 drop jump with a 30 s rest interval between sets; (iv) 5 sets of 30 s calf raises on the vibration platform followed by 6 drop jumps with a 30 s rest interval between sets. Before, 3-min after, and immediately after a 3 km run each participant performed CMJ. No significant difference between conditions (p = 0.327) for the 3 km time trial was found. Whereas CMJ height and relative peak power were significantly improved in post-3 km run than at baseline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025) and post-warm-up (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002) in all conditions. The present study indicates that warm-up consisting of either whole-body vibration, drop jumps, or a combination of both failed to acutely improve CMJ and 3 km volitional pace running performance in physically active males. However, the increase in the CMJ performance was noted after the end of the 3 km run, which may indicate that the warm-up protocols used were insufficient to enhance subsequent performance.

Relationship between Muscle-Tendon Stiffness and Drop Jump Performance in Young Male Basketball Players during Developmental Stages

BACKGROUND

The relationship between stiffness and drop jump performance in athletes in various stages of development has yet to be fully investigated. The first aim of this study was to investigate the association between the stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendon (PT, QT), gastrocnemius-Achilles tendon unit (GAT), and rectus femoris (RF) using drop jump (DJ) performance in young basketball players. The second aim was to investigate possible variations in the stiffness levels of those tissues in different developmental stages.

METHODS

The stiffness levels of the GAT, PT, QT, and RF were measured in both limbs in 73 male basketball players aged 12 to 18 years. The reactive strength index (RSI), contact time (CT) and jump height (JH) during 30 and 40 cm DJs were also measured.

RESULTS

Pearson correlation coefficients showed a significant association between DJ performance and PT, QT, GAT, and RF dynamic stiffness. Moreover, the youngest subjects were found to have lower stiffness values than the older ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissue stiffness can affect athletic performance by modifying the stretch-shortening cycle in young basketball players. Stiffness of muscles and tendons increases during the maturation process. Further investigations could shed light on the effect of training on the stiffness of muscles and tendons.

Usefulness of Surface Electromyography Complexity Analyses to Assess the Effects of Warm-Up and Stretching during Maximal and Sub-Maximal Hamstring Contractions: A Cross-Over, Randomized, Single-Blind Trial

This study aimed to apply different complexity-based methods to surface electromyography (EMG) in order to detect neuromuscular changes after realistic warm-up procedures that included stretching exercises. Sixteen volunteers conducted two experimental sessions. They were tested before, after a standardized warm-up, and after a stretching exercise (static or neuromuscular nerve gliding technique). Tests included measurements of the knee flexion torque and EMG of biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles. EMG was analyzed using the root mean square (RMS), sample entropy (SampEn), percentage of recurrence and determinism following a recurrence quantification analysis (%Rec and %Det) and a scaling parameter from a detrended fluctuation analysis. Torque was significantly greater after warm-up as compared to baseline and after stretching. RMS was not affected by the experimental procedure. In contrast, SampEn was significantly greater after warm-up and stretching as compared to baseline values. %Rec was not modified but %Det for BF muscle was significantly greater after stretching as compared to baseline. The a scaling parameter was significantly lower after warm-up as compared to baseline for ST muscle. From the present results, complexity-based methods applied to the EMG give additional information than linear-based methods. They appeared sensitive to detect EMG complexity increases following warm-up.

Acute effects of ballistic versus heavy-resistance exercises on countermovement jump and rear-hand straight punch performance in amateur boxers

Background

Ballistic and heavy-resistance exercises may potentially enhance lower body power, which is paramount for the punching performance of amateur boxers. This study aimed to determine the acute effects of ballistic exercise (BE) and heavy-resistance exercise (HRE) on countermovement jump (CMJ) and rear-hand straight punch performance in amateur boxers.

Methods

Ten amateur boxers performed two conditioning exercises in a randomized and counterbalanced order as follows: squat jump with 4 sets × 8 repetitions at 30% one-repetition maximum (1RM) for BE and squat with 3 sets × 5 repetitions at 80% 1RM for HRE. The jump height (JH), relative maximal force (RMF), relative maximal power (RMP) of the CMJ, punch force (PF), and punch speed (PS) of a rear-hand straight punch were measured before and 3, 6, 9, and 12 min after either BE or HRE.

Results

No significant condition × time interaction was found for JH (p = 0.303), RMF (p = 0.875), RMP (p = 0.480), PF (p = 0.939), and PS (p = 0.939). In addition, no main effect of the condition for JH (p = 0.924), RMF (p = 0.750), RMP (p = 0.631), PF (p = 0.678), and PS (p = 0.712). A significant main effect of time was observed for PF (p = 0.001) and PS (p = 0.001), whereas JH (p = 0.081), RMF (p = 0.141), and RMP (p = 0.430) were not. Pairwise comparison identified that PF (p = 0.031) and PS (p = 0.005) significantly increased at 9 min compared with those at baseline.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrated that BE and HRE protocols can potentiate the rear-hand straight punch performance at 9 min but bring less favorable improvements for JH, RMF, or RMP of CMJ.

Impact of combined versus single-mode training programs based on drop jump and specific multidirectional repeated sprint on bio-motor ability adaptations: a parallel study design in professional basketball players

Background

Jumping and specific multidirectional repeated sprint ability are important in basketball. The objective of this study was to assess the contributions of 8-week combined versus single-mode training programs based on drop jump (DJ) and specific multidirectional repeated sprint (MRSA) on repeated sprint ability performances, body balance and lower limbs power in male professional basketball players.

Methods

This study followed a randomized parallel study design. Fifty-two professional male basketball players from the Tunisian first division participated in this study. The players were randomly assigned to 4 groups: DJ group (JG; n = 13), MRSA group (RSG; n = 13), combined group (COMB; n = 13) and an active control group (CON; n = 13). The JG, RSG and COMB groups completed the 8-week training programs with 2 sessions per week while the CON continues their regular basketball training. Training volume was similar between groups all over the experimental period. Before and after the intervention, the four groups were evaluated for the stork test, Y-balance test, the repeated sprint ability test (IRSA_5COD), the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests, the single leg drop jump test, the five time-jump test and T—change of direction (CoD) test.

Results

All measures displayed significant main effect, (medium/small) magnitude (effect size) improvements for time (post-test > pre-test) except the physiological parameters for IRSA_5COD. Significant time × group interactions were revealed for body balance, T test, IRSA_5COD (total time and best time) and jump tests (vertical/horizontal). Bonferroni corrected post-hoc tests revealed significant greater improvement in favor of RSG and COMB compared to JG for body balance, CoD and IRSA_5COD. Moreover, greater improvement in CMJ, SJ and single leg DJ in favor of JG compared to the RSG. In addition, a greater CoD improvement was observed in favor of COMB when compared to the RSG.

Conclusion

Combined and single-mode training programs based on DJ and MRSA contributed to a significantly better performance in specific basketball physical fitness parameters with results favoring combined interventions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13102-022-00551-w.

Drop jumps versus sled towing and their effects on repeated sprint ability in young basketball players

BACKGROUND

The aim of the investigation was to compare the occurrence of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) after drop jumps, or heavy sled towing, and the subsequent effect on repeated sprint ability (RSA).

METHODS

Ten young basketball players (17 ± 1 yrs) performed, in randomized order, RSA test with changes of direction after a standardized warm up followed by drop jumps, heavy sled towing, or no exercise (control condition). Neuromuscular assessments composed of two maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors, peripheral nerve stimulation, and surface electromyography (EMG), responses were recorded before and immediately after the RSA. The EMG signal of leg muscles during sprinting were also recorded as well as the blood lactate concentration.

RESULTS

The drop jumps improved the RSA mean time (P = 0.033), total time (P = 0.031), and slowest time (P = 0.029) compared to control condition, while heavy sled towing did not change RSA outcomes (P > 0.05). All conditions exhibited a decrease of doublet high frequency stimulation force (pre-post measurement) (P = 0.023) and voluntary activation (P = 0.041), evidencing the occurrence from peripheral and central components of fatigue after RSA, respectively, but no difference was evident between-conditions. There was a significantly greater EMG activity during sprints for the biceps femoris after drop jumps, only when compared to control condition (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Repeated drop jumps were effective to induce PAPE in the form of RSA, while heavy sled towing had no effect on RSA performance in young basketball players. Furthermore, both conditioning activities exhibited similar levels of fatigue following the RSA protocol. Thus, drop jumps may be used as an alternative to induce PAPE and thus improve performance during sprints in young male basketball players.