A BSTRACT Background: Basketball is a sophisticated team sport that demands strong anaerobic fitness, involving activities from low-intensity running to maximal sprints and jumps. Plyometric training has long been used to enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries, while fartlek training combines continuous and interval training, stressing both aerobic and anaerobic systems. The study aims to compare and determine the most effective training protocol between plyometric sessions. Method: The study design is an experimental study. This present study included 30 basketball players from Yenepoya University College who met the inclusion criteria and participated in a six-week plyometric and fartlek training study. Group A performed 30 minutes of plyometric exercises twice a week. Group B engaged in 30 minutes of fartlek training twice per week. Pre- and post-test data for speed (40-yard sprint test), agility ( t -test), and endurance (beep test) were recorded. Warm-up and cool-down periods were included in each session. Result: Plyometric training significantly enhances agility ( P < 0.001) and speed ( P = 0.001) compared to fartlek training, which excels in improving endurance ( P < 0.001). However, fartlek’s impact on speed and agility, and the endurance comparison between the methods, remain inconclusive. Plyometric training is more effective for agility and speed, while fartlek is better for endurance. Conclusion: In comparison between the both, plyometric has a more positive effect on speed and agility than fartlek training.
Jose et al. (Sun,) studied this question.