Effects of 6-week change-of-direction repeated sprint training on explosive power, sprint, and COD performance in U19 basketball players

BACKGROUND: Basketball requires repeated high-intensity actions such as sprinting, jumping, and change-of-direction (COD) movements. Therefore, repeated sprint training incorporating COD actions may be an effective strategy to improve basketball-specific physical performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-week COD repeated sprint training program on explosive power, sprint performance, and COD performance in U19 basketball players. METHODS: Twenty male U19 basketball players were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The experimental group performed COD repeated sprint training three times per week for six weeks in addition to regular basketball training, while the control group continued regular training only. Performance assessments included countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), 30-m sprint, and T-test measures before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The experimental group demonstrated significant within-group improvements in CMJ, SJ, 30-m sprint, and T-test performance following the intervention. Between-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in CMJ and SJ performance in favor of the experimental group, whereas no significant between-group differences were observed for 30-m sprint or COD performance. CONCLUSIONS: A 6-week COD repeated sprint training program may be effective for improving lower-limb explosive power in U19 basketball players. However, its effects on sprint and COD performance appear limited when compared with regular basketball training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07477379. Registered on 10.03.2026. Retrospectively registered.