Stojanović, E, Aksović, N, Stojiljković, N, Stanković, R, Scanlan, AT, and Milanović, Z. Reliability, usefulness, and factorial validity of change-of-direction speed tests in adolescent basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3162–3173, 2019—The purposes of this study were to (1) determine the reliability, usefulness, and factorial validity of change-of-direction speed (CODS) tests in adolescent basketball players and (2) evaluate positional differences in test performances. Elite, adolescent male basketball players (n = 53; 17.3 ± 1.0 years) completed 6 CODS tests: “Lane Arrow Closeout,” “Lane Agility Drill,” “Reactive Shuttle Test,” “Run-Shuffle-Run,” “Compass Drill,” and “Modified 505 Test.” Players completed 3 trials of each test. All tests demonstrated acceptable reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.50–0.88; coefficient of variation: 5.1–7.9%). The typical error (TE) calculated for each test was above the smallest worthwhile change, rating the usefulness of all tests as marginal. The principal component factor analysis in all tests resulted in the extraction of one significant component that explained 74% of the total variance across tests. Positional comparisons showed that backcourt (guards) players performed better (small to moderate differences) in all CODS tests compared with frontcourt (forwards and centers) players. All tests were deemed reliable and valid in adolescent basketball players. The “Lane Agility Drill” and “Run-Shuffle-Run” tests seem the most appropriate to quantify changes in CODS possessing the lowest TE, whereas the “Lane Arrow Closeout” and “Lane Agility Drill” tests are the most sensitive in detecting positional differences.

Plyometric training involves the use of exercises in which the actual muscles after eccentric contraction become concentric. The aim of this narrative review was to determine the significance and role of plyometric training in basketball, ie this review aimed to determine the influence of plyometric training on the explosive power, sprint, and the change of direction speed of basketball players. The results of this review indicate that plyometric training is an effective method that has a positive effect on short-term maximum performance in basketball. However, some studies have indicated that the effect may be absent on sprint and change of direction speed in basketball players. The general factors of application of plyometric training are age, warm-up, exercises, performance technique, equipment, and surface. The effects of plyometric training can vary depending on factors such as athlete's level, gender, sports activity, duration, type of plyometric training. Therefore, further original studies are needed, in order to further clarify the effect of plyometric training on short-term maximum performance, especially on sprint and change of direction speed of basketball players.

Basketball is a very active sports game with frequent changes of speed, a large number of jumps and active use of all muscle groups. The aim of this review is to identify, analyze and explain all significant components for the development of explosive power in basketball players. The results showed that despite the high coefficient, which is congenital, explosive power can be developed through well-organized training which should be conducted methodically, rationally and in a well-organized manner. For quality planning and programming of training for the development of explosive power, it is necessary to determine the methods and means of training, training load, as well as their schedule and frequency in the phases of sports preparation. The age of an athlete stands out as the most important factor of individualization. It is necessary to give high attention to the training of explosive power because it is an effective means that contributes to the efficiency of the basketball player.

(1) Background: The objective of this systematic review was to collect relevant data in the available contemporary studies about sports injuries of basketball players and explain differences in sports injuries relative to gender, location, sport, and position on the court; (2) Methods: The papers were searched digitally using PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases, from 1990 to 2024; (3) Results: The most frequent severe injuries for both genders are knee and ankle injuries and the most frequent forms of injury are ankle sprain and ligament strain. The most frequent injuries occur during running and after contact with the ball. Shooting guards sustain the highest injury rate followed by centers and point guards, while guards have the highest rate of adductor muscle injury; and (4) Conclusions: Studies indicate that ankle and knee injuries are prevalent among basketball players, with ankle sprains being particularly prevalent. Knee injuries are more common in female basketball players, including ACL injuries. Various factors contribute to injuries, including the biomechanics of jumping, landing, sudden changes in direction, and the physical demands placed on the body during the game.

The purposes of this study were to determine: 1) morning-to-evening differences in physical performance with and without a ball; and 2) associations between sleep outcomes (duration and quality) and physical performance in handball players. Sixteen elite, male handball players (25.4 ± 5.8 yr, 94.0 ± 7.4 kg, 193.5 ± 7.5 cm) completed physical performance tests without a ball (a zig-zag test assessing closed-skill agility, linear sprints, and countermovement (CMJ) and squat jumps) and with a ball (a zig-zag test and linear sprints) in the morning and evening. In addition, sleep quality and quantity during the night before testing were obtained using self-reported measures. Superior physical performance was evident in all tests during the evening compared to the morning hours (p < 0.003). Specifically, jump height was moderately (effect size (ES) = 0.73 to 1.02) higher during the evening. Similarly, moderate (ES = 1.17) and large (ES = 1.67) improvements in zig-zag test performance were apparent during the evening with and without the ball, respectively. Also, large to very large (ES = 1.29 to 2.09) increases in sprint performance with and without the ball were evident in the evening. No significant correlations (p > 0.05) were apparent between sleep duration and quality and physical performance in both the morning and evening sessions. Diurnal variations in physical performance were apparent in elite male handball players with enhanced performance with and without the ball in the evening compared to morning hours. These findings indicate that morning-to-evening differences in physical performance should be considered when developing conditioning plans or preparing for competition in handball.

Explosive power in basketball is manifested through various variants of jumps, starting acceleration, sudden changes in direction, deceleration, sudden stops and passing. The aim of this research is to identify and sum up the relevant literature published in the period from 2000 to 2019, focusing on the explosive power of basketball players, and to explain relations between training programs and explosive power development. The results confirmed that explosive power is a significant characteristic of professional basketball players and one of the most important factors for achieving top results. The results show that in spite of the inborn coefficient, the development of explosive power can be realized through planned, rational and well-organized training. A positive correlation was determined between explosive power and running at short distances, jumps and throwing, as well as between explosive power and lean body mass in basketball players of different ages. It is necessary to give greater attention to the training of explosive power, because it is an effective means that contributes to the efficiency of the basketball player.