This study aimed to determine the acute effects of the French contrast method (FCM) and post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocols on 3 × 3 basketball game demands and thermal asymmetry in male basketball players and to compare these effects between protocols. Eighteen male basketball players (mean ± SD; age: 21.7 ± 1.5 years, 10.6 ± 1.9 years of experience) visited the laboratory four times, 72 h apart. The players participated in three different protocols (baseline: 3 × 3 game; FCM + 3 × 3 game; PAP + 3 × 3 game; respectively). The players’ internal and external loads were monitored, game profiles were analyzed, and thermography was applied during the protocols. The results revealed that FCM and PAP did not significantly differ in internal load; however, the significant highest total distance and distance in band 2 during the 3 × 3 basketball game was after the FCM. The 1-point attempt was significantly higher after the FCM, and turnover was significantly higher after PAP. Significant thermal asymmetry was observed in the abdominals and lower back after the FCM and PAP. The results of this study provide coaches and practitioners with detailed information regarding the game demands that can be used to improve the playing profile of 3 × 3 basketball players.

Background: Recent research has focused on the effects of different types of strength training on the performance and body profile of adolescent athletes. However, the effects of short-term plyometric and jump rope training on body profile and athletic performance in adolescent basketball players are a matter of curiosity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of short-term plyometric and jump rope training on body profile and athletic performance in adolescent basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two basketball players aged 13 - 15 were randomly divided into two groups as plyometric (n = 11) and jump rope training group (n = 11). All participants regularly completed to plyometric or jump rope training as 10 units for 4-weeks in addition to basketball training. Somatotype, body composition, push-up & sit-up test, sprint, agility (Illinois & hexagon), jump (vertical, squat, horizontal, plyometric) tests were measured before and end of the study. Results: The push-up (P = 0.049 vs < 0.001), sit-up (P = 0.20 vs < 0.001), squat jump (P = 0.010 vs 0.003) and horizontal jump (P = 0.028 vs 0.014) of the players were significantly increased after 4-weeks plyometric and jump rope training. In addition, plyometric jump (P = 0.007) and hexagon performance (P = 0.001) were significantly increased in jump rope training group. At the end of 4-weeks, body mass, endomorphy and ectomorphy scores of the lower limb plyometric training group, and body mass index, endomorphy & mesomorphy scores and quadriceps circumference of the jump rope training group were significantly increased. Conclusions: Short-term plyometric and jump rope training affect the body profile and athletic performance of the adolescent basketball players, but jump rope training has a more significant effect on athletic performance than plyometric training. Therefore, jump rope training is recommended for coaches who want to gain more athletic performance in a short-term.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, havalı tabanca ve havalı tüfek sporcularının somatotip, vücut yağ yüzdesi, üst ekstremite uzunluğu ve el kavrama kuvvetlerinin karşılaştırılmasıdır. Araştırmaya 30 yıldız ve genç atıcı (havalı tabanca n=15, 6 kadın ve 9 erkek; havalı tüfek n=15, 6 kadın ve 9 erkek) gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcıların somatotip, vücut yağ yüzdesi, beden kütle indeksi, üst ekstremite uzunluğu (kol, üst kol, ön kol ve işaret parmağı uzunluğu) ve el kavrama kuvveti ölçümleri alınmıştır. Araştırma gruplarının somatotip özelliklerinin belirlenmesinde ise Heath Carter metodu, vücut yağ yüzdelerinin hesaplanmasında Siri formülü kullanılmıştır. Havalı tabanca ve havalı tüfek sporcularının antropometrik ve somatotip özelliklerinin karşılaştırılması amacı ile tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve hipotez testleri (parametrik verilerde bağımsız gruplar için t testi, parametrik olmayan verilerde Mann Whitney U testi) SigmaPlot yazılımı aracılığı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Havalı tüfek sporcularının havalı tabanca sporcularına göre anlamlı yüksek boy uzunluğu, kol uzunluğu, ön kol ve üst kol uzunluğuna ve anlamlı düşük vücut yağ yüzdesine sahip oldukları tespit edilmekle birlikte; işaret parmağı uzunluğu gruplar arası anlamlı farklı bulunmamıştır. Havalı tabanca sporcuları anlamlı yüksek endomorfi ile mezomorfi (havalı tabanca ve havalı tüfek sırasıyla; endomorfi: 4.0±1.1’e 2.6±0.7, mezomorfi: 5.0±1.9’a 3.5±1.2), düşük ektomorfi skoruna sahiptir (sırasıyla 2.0±0.7’ye 2.7±0.7). El kavrama kuvveti dominant ve non-dominant taraflarda her iki disiplin arasında anlamlı farklı değildir. Havalı tabanca sporcuları endomorfik mezomorf (4-5-2), havalı tüfek sporcularının ise dengeli mezomorf (3-4-3) somatotipe sahiptir. Sonuç olarak; her iki atıcılık disiplini de somatotip ve antropometrik özellikler açısından farklılık göstermektedir (havalı tüfek sporcuları daha uzun ve daha yüksek ektomorfik, havalı tabanca sporcularının daha yüksek vücut yağ yüzdeli ve daha yüksek endomorfik ve mezomorfik) ve antrenörler için bu farklılığın yetenek seçimi ve belirlenmesinde dikkate alınması önerilmektedir.

Background: Recent research has focused on the effects of different types of strength training on the performance and body profile of adolescent athletes. However, the effects of short-term plyometric and jump rope training on body profile and athletic performance in adolescent basketball players are a matter of curiosity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of short-term plyometric and jump rope training on body profile and athletic performance in adolescent basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two basketball players aged 13 - 15 were randomly divided into two groups as plyometric (n = 11) and jump rope training group (n = 11). All participants regularly completed to plyometric or jump rope training as 10 units for 4-weeks in addition to basketball training. Somatotype, body composition, push-up & sit-up test, sprint, agility (Illinois & hexagon), jump (vertical, squat, horizontal, plyometric) tests were measured before and end of the study. Results: The push-up (P = 0.049 vs < 0.001), sit-up (P = 0.20 vs < 0.001), squat jump (P = 0.010 vs 0.003) and horizontal jump (P = 0.028 vs 0.014) of the players were significantly increased after 4-weeks plyometric and jump rope training. In addition, plyometric jump (P = 0.007) and hexagon performance (P = 0.001) were significantly increased in jump rope training group. At the end of 4-weeks, body mass, endomorphy and ectomorphy scores of the lower limb plyometric training group, and body mass index, endomorphy & mesomorphy scores and quadriceps circumference of the jump rope training group were significantly increased. Conclusions: Short-term plyometric and jump rope training affect the body profile and athletic performance of the adolescent basketball players, but jump rope training has a more significant effect on athletic performance than plyometric training. Therefore, jump rope training is recommended for coaches who want to gain more athletic performance in a short-term.

The purpose of this research is: (a) to compare the dominant and non-dominant leg isokinetic strength and balance, (b) to compare the balance applied on the same side to different directions and isokinetic strength applied to the same side at different angular velocities and (c) to examine the relationship between the balance and isokinetic strength applied at different angular velocities in female volleyball players. Eleven senior female volleyball players voluntarily participated in the research. Isokinetic knee flexion and extension strength were separately obtained on concentric/concentric dominant and non-dominant leg as 5 repetitions at 60˚.s-1 angular velocity, 10 repetitions at 180˚.s-1 and 15 repetitions at 300˚.s-1. The balance test was performed for both sides in anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL) and posteromedial (PM) directions. In female volleyball players, there is no significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant leg in terms of isokinetic strength and balance. A significant difference was detected between the balance applied in different directions on the same side and isokinetic force applied at different angular velocities. However, there is not any significant relationship between isokinetic strength and balance in female volleyball players. As a result, there is no isokinetic strength and balance asymmetry in volleyball and there is no relationship between them. This may be an indication of the need for both legs in volleyball.

The objective of this study is to carry out the shot analysis of men’s basketball matches in the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. For this purpose, the variables of points per match, total points, 2-points and 3-points shot analyses were included. Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine the differences between the four Olympic Games. The highest points per match were observed in the 2016 Olympic Games. There was a statistically significant difference between the 2004 and 2016 Olympic Games in regards to time played per match. Although there are minimal differences in shots success percentages, none of them were statistically important. There was no statistically significant difference as regards total points, points made, points attempt, success rate, 2-points made, 2-point attempts, 2-points success rate, 3-points made, 3-points attempt and 3-points success rate in four different Olympic Games (except the time per game). In conclusion although some minimal differences exist, there was found no significant difference in total points, 2- and 3-points attempts in Olympic Games basketball matches. That is why other factors such as assists, rebounds, steals, turnovers and blocks and the tactical components which play a prominent role in the outcome of the game should be investigated in detail.