Determination of change of direction deficit thresholds across a spectrum of angles in basketball players

Change of direction deficit (CODD) offers valuable insights into a player's balance between linear and multidirectional speed. However, there are still no established reference values for CODD. The objectives of this study were to determine CODD thresholds for various change of direction angles in basketball players according to gender and analyse the relationships between CODD and execution time in speed tests. One hundred and thirty basketball players (46% female; age: 23.7 ± 5.29 years; height: 189.1 ± 11.1 cm; body mass: 84.3 ± 15.7 kg) undertook 10-m linear and change of direction speed test at 45º, 90º and 180º. A k-means cluster analysis was conducted to standardise CODD thresholds and a one-way analysis of variance to identify the differences between clusters. The results revealed angulation-specific CODD thresholds, ranging from 3% to 8%, 17% to 25% and 43% to 51% for 45º, 90º and 180º cutting angles, respectively for the pooled sample. Furthermore, differences inter-clusters (p < 0.05) were observed for execution time at all cutting angles for both genders. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches are encouraged to assess CODD as a highly valid variable for evaluating change of direction performance and to use current CODD thresholds to tailor training programmes according to each athlete's needs.

The Influence of Functional Movement and Strength upon Linear and Change of Direction Speed in Male and Female Basketball Players

The present study aimed to analyse the relationship between functional movement and strength variables upon linear speed (Ls) and change of direction (COD) based on gender. It also aimed to identify the determinants of performance of Ls and COD according to gender. Fifty basketball players (54% female) completed the assessment in which the weight-bearing dorsiflexion test, the Y-balance test, the unilateral countermovement jump, the unilateral drop jump, the unilateral triple hop test, Ls and CODs were performed. Speed variables were divided according to time execution into "low-performance" and "high-performance" to establish a comparison between performance groups. Strength variables significantly influenced speed tests' performance in both genders (p < 0.05). For males, the greater the Ls, the higher the change of direction deficit (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a long and vertical stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) was the most influential physical ability for speed performance in females (45-65% variance explained; p < 0.001), while in males, a short and horizontal SSC played a significant role (30-61% variance explained; p < 0.022). These results suggest that gender should be considered in programming strength training to improve speed, as each gender will benefit most from the application of different force-orientations and different SSC. Also, the faster the male players were in Ls, the less efficient they were in the COD performance. This is why for men, it would be recommended to perform eccentric exercises along with deceleration and technique drills to improve COD speed.

Effect of individualised strength and plyometric training on the physical performance of basketball players

The aims of this study were to examine the effects of eight weeks of individualised force-velocity imbalance (F-Vimb) training on physical performance in basketball players and to analyse the differences in physical performance between two periods of time (four to eight weeks) with this training. Thirty male players (age, 22.8 ± 5.68 years; height, 1.87 ± 0.07 m; body mass, 86.3 ± 11.1 kg) were divided into an intervention group (INT, n = 15), who performed an individualised training based on individual F-Vimb; and a control group (CON, n = 15), who underwent a non-individualised training programme; both groups performed two days/week of intervention and the same pre-season basketball training. At baseline, at four weeks, and at eight weeks of intervention, an assessment was performed including countermovement-jumps, unilateral drop jumps, triple hop test, force-velocity profile, sprint and change of direction (COD). At four weeks, the INT showed improvements in sprint and vertical jumping actions (≥3.76%, ES ≥0.44, p ≤ 0.02). At eight weeks, the INT continued to improve vertical jumping actions (p < 0.05) and showed improvements in horizontal jumping (6.80%, ES = 0.45, p < 0.01) and COD (≥2.99%, ES ≥0.96, p < 0.01). A significant reduction in F-Vimb was observed for INT (ES = 0.77, p = 0.01). In contrast, none of these changes were observed in CON. Thus, an individualised F-Vimb training intervention improved physical performance after eight weeks, with changes in sprint and vertical jump after first four weeks. Basketball coaches should optimise the force-velocity profile and improve the performance in sport-related actions as jumping and changing direction.

Influence of Dynamic Balance on Jumping-Based Asymmetries in Team Sport: A between-Sports Comparison in Basketball and Handball Athletes

The aims of the present study were to analyze mobility, dynamic balance and lower-limb strength and the prevalence of asymmetry according to the type of sport and assess the association between inter-limb asymmetry and sports performance. A total of 23 basketball and 25 handball players performed a test battery consisting of functional movements and a jump test. Inter-limb asymmetry was calculated using a standard percentage difference equation. A between-groups comparison analysis was carried out, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to establish a relationship between asymmetries and physical performance. The results found athletes in different sports to exhibit different performance in functional movements and the jump test, but no bilateral asymmetries. The reactive strength index (RSI) and stiffness asymmetries were significantly associated with the anterior reach Y-balance test (YBT) (r = −0.412; p < 0.01 and r = −0.359; p < 0.05, respectively), and the unilateral triple hop test (THTU) was negatively correlated to anterior reach, posterior lateral reach YBT and YBT composite YBT (r = −0.341 to −0.377; p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the asymmetries exhibited important dispersion not dependent upon the type of sport but on each individual and the applied test. In addition, asymmetry in anterior direction YBT showed the strongest association to the rest of the sports performance variables.

Decisive Factors for a Greater Performance in the Change of Direction and Its Angulation in Male Basketball Players

A study was made to initially evaluate whether the age category directly could influence anthropometric measurements, functional movement tests, linear sprint (30 m) and strength. Moreover, and as the main purpose, this study aimed to examine the relationship between the time execution and angles in different changes of direction (COD) test with the analyzed sport performance variables. A total sample of 23 basketball players (age: 17.5 ± 2.42 years; height: 184.6 ± 6.68 cm; body weight: 78.09 ± 11.9 kg). Between-groups’ comparison explored the differences between basketball categories (Junior, n = 12; Senior, n = 11). The COD variables were divided by the time execution into low responders (LR) and high responders (HR) to establish comparisons between groups related to COD time execution. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to establish correlations between different CODs and sport performance variables. The results showed a greater influence of age category upon COD performance, especially when the cutting angle was sharper (7.05% [Confidence limits (CL) 90%: 2.33; 11.99]; Quantitative chances (QC) 0/2/98), in which athletes need greater application of strength. Moreover, the sharper the angle or the larger the number of cuts made, the greater the relationship with the vertical force–velocity profile (−42.39 [CL 90%: −57.37; −22.16]; QC 100/0/0%). Thus, the usefulness of the f–v profile to implement training programs that optimize the f–v imbalance and the improvement of the COD performance in basketball players is suggested.