Plyometric Training and Sprint Abilities of Young Basketball Players

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric training on sprint abilities. Young basketball players (N=33, Age=15-16) from OKK "Stari Ras" and OKK "Novi Pazar" from Novi Pazar were divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG, n=16; BH=185.45±8.75cm; BM=76.87±11.51kg) with training experience (TE=4.69 ±1.40 years) and a control group (CG; n=17; BH=184.16±6.93cm; BM=76.87±11.51kg) with training experience (TE=5.53±3.18 years). The EG was made up of the players from basketball team OKK "Stari Ras", who in addition to basketball trainings also took part in plyometric training. The CG was made up of the players from basketball team OKK "Novi Pazar", who at that time only took part in basketball trainings. To assess their sprint abilities, three tests were used: Sprint Speed at 5m (S5m), Sprint Speed at 10m (S10m), Sprint Speed at 20m (S20m). The measurement was done with the help of the photocells "Microgate", a parameter which was monitored and the processed time was read in 1/100s. The experimental program lasted for 10 weeks (2x per week). To determine the effect of plyometric training on the sprint abilities of young basketball players, the analysis of covariance ANCOVA was used. The results showed that the EG group achieved significantly greater progress than the CG group on the tests: S5m and S20m. There was no difference between the EG and CG group on the S10m test. Based on these results we concluded that plyometric training has positive effects on the development of sprint abilities in young basketball players.