Effects of Ball-Drills and Repeated Sprint Ability Training in Basketball Players

Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of ball-drills and repeated sprint ability training during the regular season in basketball players. Methods. Thirty players were randomized into 3 groups: ball-drills training (BDT, n=12; 4x4min, 3 vs 3 with 3min passive recovery), repeated sprint ability training (RSAT, n=9, 3x6x20m shuttle running with 20-sec and 4-min recovery) and general basketball training (GBT, n=9, basketball technical/tactical exercises), as control group. Players were tested, before and after 8 weeks of training using the following tests: V̇O2max, Squat Jump (SJ), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), Agility T-test, line drill test, 5/10/20 m sprints, and blood lactate concentration (BLC). A custom-developed survey was used to analyze players’ technical skills. Results. After training significant improvements were seen in Yo-Yo IR1 (BDT: p=0.014, ES±90%CI=0.8±0.3; RSAT: p=0.022, ES±90%CI=0.7±0.3), the agility T-test (BDT: p=0.018, ES±90%CI=0.7±0.5; RSAT: p=0.037, ES±90%CI=0.7±0.5), and the line drill test (BDT: p=0.010, ES±90%CI=0.3±0.1; RSAT: p<0.0001, ES±90%CI=0.4±0.1). In the RSAT group only 10-m sprint speeds (p=0.039, ES±90%CI=0.3±0.2) and BLC (p=0.004, ES±90%CI=0.8±1.1) were improved. Finally, technical skills were increased in BDT regarding dribbling (p=0.038, ES±90%CI=0.8±0.6), shooting (p=0.036, ES±90%CI=0.8±0.8), passing (p=0.034, ES±90%CI=0.9±0.3), rebounding (p=0.023, ES±90%CI=1.1±0.3), defense (p=0.042, ES±90%CI=0.5±0.5), and offense (p=0.044, ES±90%CI=0.4±0.4) skills. Conclusions. BDT and RSAT are both effective in improving the physical performance of basketball players. BDT had also a positive impact on technical skills. Basketball strength and conditioning professionals should include BDT as a routine tool to improve technical skills and physical performance simultaneously throughout the regular training season.