Effects of six weeks of stable versus unstable multi-dimensional surfaces balance training on passing skills and balance performance in young male basketball players

Abstract

Background and objective: Adolescence is a period when balance and coordination decrease as a result of rapid musculoskeletal growth. These changes may affect various sports-specific skills, including balance. This study aimed to examine the changes in balance performance and basketball passing speed in male youth basketball players following six weeks of balance training performed on unstable versus stable surfaces. Methods: Twenty-five male basketball players, mean age 15.53 ± 0.57 years, participated in balance training on different surfaces (unstable surface (US, n = 13); stable surface (SS, n = 12)) for six weeks (2 days/week; 35 to 50 min/day, incrementally). Their physical characteristics, passing skills (passing accuracy and speed test) and balance performance (Y-Balance Test and The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test) were measured. Results: The improvement rates for passing accuracy (effect size (ES) = 0.86, moderate, P < 0.001), lower extremity (ES right = 0.94, moderate, P < 0.001; ES left = 0.88, moderate, P < 0.001) and upper extremity (ES right = 1.01, moderate, P < 0.001; ES left = 0.94, moderate, P < 0.001) balance scores, upper extremity stability test power (ES = 0.89, P ≤ 0.001) and the normalized scores (ES = 1.20, moderate, P < 0.001) of the US group were higher than those of the SS group. Passing speed significantly increased only in the US group (P < 0.028). Conclusion: A multi-dimensional surface training model improved balance performance and passing accuracy skills compared to a stable surface training model for male basketball players. US balance training may be used as a complementary training model to increase dynamic balance and passing accuracy skills for male basketball players.

Enhancing technical proficiency through small-sided basketball games: A strategic approach for students athletes

“…Another study on visualisation training discovered an average improvement of 33% in the free throw ability of basketball extracurricular students (Profaviola et al, 2019). In contrast to stable surfaces, doing balance exercises on unstable surfaces resulted in higher passing accuracy and balance performance improvement, according to a third study on balance training (Fisek & Agopyan, 2021). According to this research, basketball players' technical skills essential for individual player development and team success can be efficiently improved through focused training programmes.…”

Variations induced by the use of unstable surface do not facilitate motor adaptation to a throwing skill

“…In this sense, the unstable surface could entail excessive postural sway fluctuations for the participants of our study ( Davids et al, 2004 ), which resulted in higher levels of stress on the system ( Moreno & Ordoño, 2015 ). Conversely, previous studies that have reported benefits from the use of unstable surfaces were conducted with young or inexperienced athletes ( Aydin & Revans, 2019 ; Fisek & Agopyan, 2021 ; Zacharakis et al, 2020 ), except for Caballero, Luis & Sabido ’s study ( 2012 ). Furthermore, studies conducted with experienced athletes have not found additional improvements caused by training on unstable surfaces ( Alicia Nian, 2017 ; Sillero et al, 2022 ), except for Hung et al ’s study ( 2021 ), which did not perform a group comparison.…”

“…Based on this rationale, increasing motor variability during practice through the manipulation of the support base could enable highly functional behavior, revealing useful sources of information to regulate the movement ( Davids et al, 2004 ). However, as far as the authors know, little empirical evidence supports the usefulness of inducing motor fluctuations through unstable surface to promote faster learning in throwing ( Fisek & Agopyan, 2021 ; Zacharakis et al, 2020 ) or related tasks as shooting ( Aydin & Revans, 2019 ; Hung et al, 2021 ), while other works do not find any additional benefits ( Alicia Nian, 2017 ; Caballero, Luis & Sabido, 2012 ; Sillero et al, 2022 ).…”

The effects of plyometric training on physical fitness and skill-related performance in female basketball players: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Being able to move swiftly and change directions helps in avoiding defenders and creating passing lanes ( Spiteri et al, 2015 ). Balance is essential when making passes while in motion or after a quick COD ( Nikolaos et al, 2012 ; Fisek and Agopyan, 2021 ). Basketball dribbling skills are not only related to ball control, vision, and court awareness but also depend on various physical fitness factors such as hand speed, coordination, changes in pace and speed, and directional control ( Ferioli et al, 2020 ; Vencúrik et al, 2021 ).…”