The Effects of Plyometric Training Followed by Detraining and Reduced Training Periods on Explosive Strength in Adolescent Male Basketball Players

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the effects of (a) plyometric training on explosive strength indicators in adolescent male basketball players and (b) detraining and reduced training on previously achieved explosive strength gains. Two groups were formed: an experimental and a control group. The former was submitted to a 10-week in-season plyometric training program, twice weekly, along with regular basketball practice. Simultaneously, the control group participated in regular basketball practice only. At the end of this period, the experimental group was subdivided into 2 groups: a reduced training group and a detraining group. All participants were assessed on squat jump, countermovement jump, Abalakov test, depth jump, mechanical power, and medicine ball throw at the beginning and at the end of the 10-week in-season plyometric training and on weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 of the in-season detraining and reduced training periods. In the first phase of the study, the experimental group significantly increased all the assessed indicators (p < 0.05). In the following phase and in general all the groups maintained the previously achieved results. In conclusion, plyometric training showed positive effects on upper- and lower-body explosive strength in adolescent male basketball players. Moreover, we can state that both detraining and a reduced training program indistinctly contribute to maintenance of strength levels. These results highlight the unique power that basketball-specific training seems to have on the sustainability and maintenance of sport performance.

The effect of Short-term Plyometric Training Program on Sprint, Strength, Power and Agility Performance in non-athletic Men

“…The first finding of the study showed that the PT increased significantly in the horizontal jump test and no significant increase in vertical jump test than the control group. The results of the current research are consistent with are consistent with other studies 19,13,26,27,28,29,15 . Such change in only five weeks in our study strengthens previous evidence that plyometric exercises can improve vertical jump performance in a short period of time 30 .…”

Differences in explosive power between basketball players of different age

“…Due to the fact that today's basketball demands durable players with developed motor skills, the explosive power is one of the most important factors for achieving the best sports results in sport such as basketball results (McBride, Triplett-McBride, Davie, & Newton, 2002; Carlock, et al, 2004). The researches also show the positive correlation of jumps and throws at basketball players of different age (Santos & Janeira, 2011). In the past, the basketball coaches were convinced that the speed of sprinting is conditioned with genetics and it could not be improved with training, but in the last few years, the basketball coaches recognized the importance of explosive power such as sprinting (Moreno, 1994).…”

Effects of 6-week basketball training using the modified circuit weight method

“…It is worth emphasizing that the workout routine used in our study was aimed to strengthen and activate muscle groups directly involved in the movement tasks used in basketball. Explosive plyometric exercises have been frequently integrated into the process of physical preparation of basketball players and their usefulness has been supported by motor tests [7]. The results of special work of basketball players in the test can point to the functional usefulness of the proposed workout routine.…”

“…Although most movements in basketball focus on strength and speed, some forms of activities, such as defensive tasks or tackling for the ball and position near the backboard seriously tax the muscular system. Therefore, training in this sport should contain various activities oriented at improvement in muscular strength [7,8].…”