Christos Galazoulas

The effect of sprinting after each set of heavy resistance training on the running speed and jumping performance of young basketball players.

Tsimahidis, K, Galazoulas, C, Skoufas, D, Papaiakovou, G, Bassa, E, Patikas, D, and Kotzamanidis, C. The effect of sprinting after each set of heavy resistance training on the running speed and jumping performance of young basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 24(8): 2102-2108, 2010-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 10-week heavy resistance combined with a running training program on the strength, running speed (RS), and vertical jump performance of young basketball players. Twenty-six junior basketball players were equally divided in 2 groups. The control (CON) group performed only technical preparation and the group that followed the combined training program (CTP) performed additionally 5 sets of 8-5 repetition maximum (RM) half squat with 1 30-m sprint after each set. The evaluation took place before training and after the 5th and 10th weeks of training. Apart from the 1RM half squat test, the 10- and 30-m running time was measured using photocells and the jump height (squat, countermovement jump, and drop jump) was estimated taking into account the flight time. The 1RM increased by 30.3 ± 1.5% at the 10th week of training for the CTP group (p < 0.05), whereas the CON group showed no significant increase (1.1 ± 1.6%, p > 0.05). In general, all measured parameters showed a statistically significant increase after the 5th and 10th weeks (p < 0.05), in contrast to the CON group (p > 0.05). This suggests that the applied CTP is beneficial for the strength, RS, and jump height of young basketball players. The observed adaptations in the CTP group could be attributed to learning factors and to a more optimal transfer of the strength gain to running and jumping performance.

Effects of basketball training on maximal oxygen uptake, muscle strength, and joint mobility in young basketball players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of prolonged basketball skills training on maximal aerobic power, isokinetic strength, joint mobility, and body fat percentage, in young basketball players, and controls of the same age. Twenty basketball players and 18 control boys participated in the study. Basketball players participated both in their schools physical education program and in a childrens basketball team training program. Controls participated only in their schools physical education program. All subjects were tested every 6 months (18 months total, 111/2, 12, 121/2, 13 years old) for &OV0312;O2max, peak torque values of the quadriceps and ham- strings at 180 and 300°·s-1 and range of motion of the knee and hip joints. Body fat percentage was assessed at the beginning and the end of the experimental period. Results showed that the basketball group had lower heart rate values in all ages and higher &OV0312;O2 values in the initial test compared with the control in submaximal intensity. The &OV0312;O2max was altered in both groups on the final test, when compared to the initial test. However, the basketball group had a higher &OV0312;O2max on each of the 6-month follow-up measurements, compared to the control group (p > 0.001). At the end of the 18-month follow-up period no significant differences were observed in isokinetic strength and joint mobility of the lower limbs between the 2 groups. On the contrary, the boys of the trained group had significantly lower percentage body fat values, compared to controls. In conclusion, regular basketball training increased aerobic power and decreased body fat percentage of prepubescent boys, while it did not affect muscle strength and joint mobility of the lower limbs. The major implication suggested by the findings of the present study is that, in order to improve the basic physical components, specific training procedures should be incorporated during the basketball training sessions. It is recommended that all children should be involved in some type of cardiovascular and resistance training program.

The post-activation potentiation effect on sprint performance after combined resistance/sprint training in junior basketball players

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a 10-week combined resistance/sprint training programme in the post-activation potentiation of sprint performance before, between and after resistance training sets. Twenty-six junior basketball players were randomly divided into a control and a combined training group. The combined training group performed a combined training programme consisting of 5 sets at 5–8 RM (Repetition Maximum) half-squats with sprints performed between each set. Post-activation potentiation was considered as the increase in sprint velocity in trials executed between and after the resistance sets compared with the sprint trial performed before the resistance sets of the respective first and last training session. For sprint evaluation the running distances 0–10 and 0–30 m were selected. The intervention increased both strength and sprint performance. No post-activation potentiation effect was observed during the first training session in either group. Post-activation potentiation appeared in the combined training group during the last training session of the intervention in both 0–10 and 0–30 m sprint. This study illustrates that post-activation potentiation effect on sprint performance in junior basketball players, who did not previously follow systematic resistance training, emerges after a 10-week resistance/sprint combined training programme.

Effect of Combined Sensorimotor-Resistance Training on Strength, Balance, and Jumping Performance of Soccer Players.

Abstract Manolopoulos, K, Gissis, I, Galazoulas, C, Manolopoulos, E, Patikas, D, Gollhofer, A, and Kotzamanidis, C. Effect of combined sensorimotor-resistance training on strength, balance, and jumping performance of soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 30(1): 53–59, 2016—The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) and sensorimotor training combined with RT (SM-RT) on balance, 1 repetition maximum (RM), rate of force development (RFD), and squat jump (SJ) height. Twenty amateur soccer players were equally divided into 2 groups assigned as SM-RT group (age: 22 ± 1.7 years, body mass: 79.9 ± 6.3 kg, body height: 1.81 ± 0.06 m) and RT group (age: 21.3 ± 1.3 years, body mass: 77.4 ± 9.3 kg, body height: 1.78 ± 0.04 m). Both groups were trained over a 6-week period with 2 session units per week. SM-RT group performed sensorimotor training (balance on balance board) followed by a high-intensity RT at 8–5RM leg press. The RT group performed the resistance program only. Both groups showed significantly increased 1RM leg press strength, RFD, SJ height, and balance abilities (p ⩽ 0.05), whereas no significant between-group differences were observed in any of the outcome variables (p > 0.05). It was concluded that SM-RT was not superior compared with RT for both balance and strength enhancement. These findings have implications in time management during training for soccer players.

The efficacy of “High Pick and Roll” in relation to the defence’s reaction and its effect on the result of the game

ABSTRACT This research was conducted to find out how effective the High Pick and Roll is, according to the defence’s reaction. This survey also investigates the total impact of this offensive strategy on the game’s final result. The sample consisted of 20 randomly selected basketball games of the Olympic Games in Rio (2016). The results show that the outcome of the High Pick and Roll can affect the result of the game (p = 0.001). Furthermore, there is an important statistical difference between the effectiveness of High Pick and Roll against various defensive plays. When the defending team played Trail and Sag, the majority of the attacks were successful whereas when the team played Switch, Deny or Trap most of attacks were missed (p = 0.01). Finally, most of attacks ending with a ball handler’s Drive were successful while when the ball handler was shooting, a great percentage of Shots were missed (p = 0.01). Apart from that, the effectiveness of each defensive play and the effectiveness of the offensive outcomes were also depicted. From the data presented above, it is clear that the High Pick and Roll is a crucial factor in basketball and the information and statistics included in this paper could be useful for basketball coaches, both from theoretical and practical perspective.