Title

Comparative effect of Plyometric training versus Sportsmetrics jump training on Explosive strength, Speed and Agility in Under-18 basketball players-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background / Introduction / Review of Literature

·       Background : Played amongst both male and female adolescent athletes, basketball is a fast-paced sport requiring different training methods, due to which coaches and trainers need evidence based guidance on selecting the most effective training for young developing athletes.

·       Introduction : Basketball performance heavily depends on explosive strength, speed and agility. Plyometric training is widely used to enhance these attributes. Hence, plyometric training is the main focus of this research due to its proven impact on dynamic performance, strength and endurance.

·       Review of Literature : Earlier research conducted by Miller G. M (2006) reported that plyometric training was an effective technique to improve an athlete’s agility, while the study carried out by Chimera J. M (2016) concluded that Sportsmetrics jump training improved explosive strength regardless of experience level. These studies focused on one training type in isolation only.

·       Lacunae in Literature : A critical analysis of both these researches revealed a significant lacunae in the existing literature, wherein individual benefits of both the training protocols are well-documented, but there is a scarcity of research that conducts a direct head-to-head comparison of these two protocols against a control group. The present study was designed to fill this gap, as it aimed to compare the effects of Plyometric training versus Sportsmetrics jump training on Explosive strength, Speed and Agility in Under-18 basketball players.

Objectives and Hypothesis

·       Primary objective : To analyze the impact of Plyometric training protocol and Sportsmetrics jump training program on explosive strength (vertical jump height test), speed (30m sprint test) and agility (T-test)  in under-18 basketball players.

·       Secondary objective : To compare outcomes between the two plyometric groups and the control group, in order to determine the relative effectiveness of the two training procedures in under-18 basketball players.

·       Null Hypothesis : Neither the plyometric training protocol nor the Sportsmetrics jump training program has any significant effect on explosive strength, speed and agility and also there shall be no significant difference between the effects of the two programs in under-18 basketball players.

·       Alternate Hypothesis : Both the plyometric training protocol and the Sportsmetrics jump training program have a significant effect on explosive strength, speed and agility and also there shall be a significant difference between the effects of the two programs  in under-18 basketball players.

Material and Methods

·       Study Design : The study followed an experimental design with assessment at multiple time intervals. The baseline or pre-test was at week 0, followed by a mid -test after 3 weeks, a post-test after 6 weeks and finally a follow-up test after 8 weeks.

·       Sample Size and method : The total Sample Size : 39 divided into three groups of 13 each i.e. two interventional groups and one control group. The Sample Size Calculation was performed using G*Power software with a statistical power of 80%, and an alpha error of 5% and a 95% confidence interval. The calculation was based on an effect size of 0.46 as reported in previous literature for explosive strength.

·       Enrolment Period : Participants were recruited for 8 weeks, which included 6 weeks of training and a follow-up after 2 weeks.

·       Total Study Duration : The entire study was expected to be completed within 5-7 months.

·       Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria : This study included both male and female basketball players aged 13 to 17 years who have been playing the game consistently for at least 1 year. Players with any musculoskeletal injury, neurological disorder, surgery or those engaged in Plyometric training as well as those who have missed regular practice in the past 6 months would be excluded.

·       Study Procedure : The participants for the research were recruited from Siri Fort Sports Complex, New Delhi via a purposive sampling method. Participants would be randomly assigned into 3 parallel groups using a computer-generated randomization software. The first Interventional Group underwent a Plyometric training protocol, while the second Interventional group underwent a Sportsmetrics jump training program. Both the interventional groups followed the training twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks along with their regular basketball practice. The Control Group continued  regular basketball practice alone for the same duration. 

·       Assessment Tools : To evaluate outcomes, explosive strength, speed and agility were tested using the vertical jump height test^,, 30m sprint test, and T-test respectively at week 0-pre baseline test, followed by a mid-test after 3 weeks, a post-test after 6 weeks and finally a follow-up test after 8 weeks.

·     Interim Analysis :  After 3 weeks of completion of intervention, an interim analysis was performed to assess the preliminary efficacy of the two interventions (Plyometric training versus Sportsmetrics jump training), on explosive strength, speed and agility. It provided insights into the intervention effects and data trends, without influencing the continuation or modification of the trial procedure.

Statistical Analysis Plan

The data was analyzed in SPSS software version 32.0 with Descriptive Statistics for both categorical (gender) and continuous data (height, weight, body mass index, explosive strength, speed and agility) via frequency, and mean ± standard deviation respectively. Normality was checked using the Shapiro - Wilk test. Depending upon the normal distribution, parametric tests One-way ANOVA and One-way repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc analysis were used with a statistical significance level of 5%.

Results

Significant improvements in explosive strength, speed, and agility were observed within both the Plyometric and Sportsmetrics training groups following the intervention. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two experimental groups for any outcome measure.

Conclusion

Both Plyometric and Sportsmetrics jump training programs are effective, evidence-based, and practically feasible interventions for improving physical fitness parameters in adolescent basketball players. Either program may be incorporated into regular basketball training routines, provided the complete training protocol is followed to achieve optimal performance gains.

 References

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