Integrating physical and cognitive approaches: A scoping review of advanced training methods in basketball

Background: Basketball is a sport characterized by dominant anaerobic physiological demands, requiring high explosive power in combination with advanced psychomotor abilities. Objective: The primary aim of this scoping review was to examine advanced evidence-based training methods in basketball, focusing on their impact on physiological and psychomotor functions. The review explored methods to enhance performance qualities aligned with the physiological, cognitive, and sport-specific demands of professional players, to identify methods supported by scientific evidence for systematic on-court implementation and to examine whether such evidence suggests future research directions. Methods: A structured search was conducted across four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), along with backward citation screening. Extracted data included training type, participant characteristics, context, and reported outcomes. Results: A total of 10 studies published between 2014 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria. Seven advanced training methods were identified as relevant and applicable to professional basketball performance: plyometric training, sprint training, specific training, contrast training, complex training, multi-component training (MCT), and cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT). Conclusions: The combination of CMDT and MCT offers a promising new way to improve both explosive power and cognitive performance in basketball. Using these methods as part of warm-up routines has not been studied enough and should be explored further. Future research should test how effective this approach is and explore how it can be combined with other methods to create effective training programs for professional basketball players.