Effects of plyometric compared to high-intensity interval training on youth female basketball player's athletic performance

PurposeTo improve basketball players' athletic performance, effective and optimal training programs are needed. The study aim was to compare the effects of 6 weeks of plyometric training (PT) to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on youth female basketball player's athletic performance.MethodsThe athletes were randomly divided into PT (n = 8), HIIT (n = 8), and control (n = 8) group. The two experimental groups participated separately in a PT and HIIT program during 6 weeks and 2 sessions of 30-60 min per week. Before and after the intervention the athletes were assessed for 20-m sprint (s), jump-specific power (W), medicine ball throw for distance (m), change of direction sprint ability (s), basketball-specific anaerobic power (W), basketball-specific performance (s), basketball dribble sprint skill (s), basketball pass skill (points), and basketball shot skill (points).ResultsThe between-group analyses revealed similar improvements in dependent variables between PT and HIIT groups. However, the PT and HIIT groups had greater (p & LE; 0.001-0.009, p & eta;(2) = 0.372-0.555) improvements compared to the control group for 20-m sprint, jump-specific power, basketball-specific performance, basketball dribble sprint skill with right hand, and basketball dribble sprint skill with left hand, and near-significant (p = 0.054-0.060, p & eta;(2) = 0.246-0.254) for the outcomes basketball-specific anaerobic power, medicine ball throw for distance, and basketball shot skill.ConclusionCompared to regular basketball training, both PT and HIIT improved youth female basketball player's athletic performance.