(1) Background: This study investigated the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on the basketball-specific performance of trained basketball players. A double-blind, randomized crossover design was employed. (2) Methods: Fifteen participants (age: 20.9 ± 1.0 years; height: 180.9 ± 5.4 cm; mass: 77.2 ± 7.5 kg; training age: 8.2 ± 0.3 years) were recruited and divided into a caffeine trial (CAF) and placebo trial (PL). The participants in the CAF trial chewed gum containing 3 mg/kg of caffeine for 10 min, while those in the PL trial chewed a placebo gum without caffeine. Following a 15 min rest, all the participants completed basketball-specific performance tests. (3) Results: The free throw accuracy for the CAF trial was significantly higher than that for the PL trial (CAF: 79.0 ± 4.31%; PL: 73.0 ± 9.16%; p = 0.012; Cohen’s d = 0.94). Additionally, the CAF trial demonstrated significantly better performance in the 20 m segmented dash (CAF: 2.94 ± 1.12 s; PL: 3.13 ± 0.10 s; p < 0.001; Cohen’s d =1.8) and squats (p < 0.05), and exhibited lower fatigue indexes (CAF: 3.6 ± 1.6%; PL: 5.2 ± 1.6%; p = 0.009; Cohen’s d =1.0). (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that chewing gum containing 3 mg/kg of caffeine offers moderate-to-large improvements in key performance aspects relevant to professionally trained basketball players.

This study aimed to compare the effects of triple continuous jumping snatch (TCJS) intervention training on the technique and performance of novice lifters. Males ( n = 22; age = 19.7 ± 0.9 years; height = 173.7 ± 6.1 cm; body mass = 76.3 ± 11.8 kg) who had no training experience in weightlifting were randomly assigned to a control (CG; n = 11) or an experimental (EG; n = 11) group, and trained three times a week for 8 weeks. The CG was trained in the snatch, and EG intervened with TCJS. In the initial state, t-tests and Hedges’ effect sizes revealed significant and very large-to-nearly perfect differences ( p < 0.001, g = 6.39) for barbell velocity while the barbell made contact with the body and the maximal barbell acceleration after contact ( p < 0.001, g = 3.79) between CG and EG. Moreover, differences in the angle between the barbell and the shoulder prior to the turnover phase exhibited significant and moderate decreases in weeks 2, 6, and 8 (all p < 0.05, g = 0.63–0.98) by performing the snatch with the TCJS intervention. The TCJS not only impacts barbell velocity and acceleration immediately, but also reduces horizontal movement between the barbell and body. The results of this study demonstrated that the TCJS constitutes a superior training method for novice lifters to enhance the stability of techniques when compared with snatch.

Background/Objectives: Research on elite weightlifting performance is crucial for understanding the underlying attributes of efficient techniques. This study aimed to analyze the foot characteristics of elite female weightlifters in the 59 kg category during the snatch. Methods: Publicly available videos from the International Weightlifting Federation World Weightlifting Championships (2018–2021) were analyzed. Excluding the 2020 competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and more unsuccessful attempts, a total of 20 videos were selected for kinematic analysis using Kenova video analysis software. Variables included the horizontal foot distance in the start and catch phases, horizontal displacement of sideway leg separation, and maximum vertical heel height of each foot. Results: The results revealed small to moderate significant negative correlations between snatch performance and maximum heel height (right: r = −0.28, p < 0.05; left: r = −0.332 p < 0.01). Snatch performance also demonstrated a small to moderate negative correlation with sideway leg separation and foot distance in the catch phase (r = −0.275, p < 0.01; r = −0.467, p < 0.01, respectively). Maximum heel height exhibited a very strong positive correlation between feet (r = 0.853, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A relatively narrower stance was found to be more beneficial for elite weightlifter performance. Strong coordination suggests advanced movement strategies in this complex lift. These findings contribute to the existing knowledge on weightlifting techniques and offer valuable insights for athletes and coaches seeking to improve performance in competitive environments.