Effects of loaded vs unloaded plyometric training combined with change-of-direction sprints on neuromuscular performance in elite U-18 female basketball players: a randomized controlled study
Yosser Cherni, Imen Mzita, Dustin J. Oranchuk, Wissem Dhahbi, Mehrez Hammami, Halil İ̇brahim Ceylan, Vаlentinа Ștefănică, Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Elite basketball performance in adolescent female players is characterized by high-intensity intermittent activities, including an average of 44 jumps per game and spending 8.8% of live time in explosive movements, such as sprinting, change-of-direction (COD), and vertical jumping. This study investigated the impact of 8-week loaded and unloaded plyometric exercises combined with COD drills on performance parameters in female basketball players. Methods Forty-two elite under-18 female basketball players competing at national championship level were randomly assigned to loaded plyometric with COD training (LDPLYO) ( n = 12; age = 16.6 ± 1.1 years; body mass = 65.9 ± 11.8 kg; body height = 173.4 ± 4.9 cm), unloaded plyometric with COD training (UNLPLYO) ( n = 15; age = 17.1 ± 0.19 years; body mass = 65.5 ± 9.9 kg; body height = 167.9 ± 7.4 cm), or control groups ( n = 15; age = 17.1 ± 0.53 years; body mass = 63.9 ± 11.1 kg; body height = 168.3 ± 9.9 cm). Sprint performance (5, 10, 20 m), COD (Y-agility test and T test), repeated-sprint-ability (RSA), and vertical-jump performance (squat jump—SJ, countermovement jump—CMJ) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results LDPLYO intervention elicited significant improvements in 5 m sprint time (−10.6%, p = 0.005, d = 0.77), COD speed (Y-agility: −12.4%, p < 0.001, d = 0.37; T test: −12.6%, p = 0.005, d = 1.13), RSA (worst time: −2.6%, p < 0.001, d = 2.88; best time: −1.5%, p < 0.001, d = 2.61), and vertical-jump performance (CMJ: +7.5%, p = 0.004, d = 0.22; SJ: +14.6%, p = 0.032, d = 0.06). UNLPLYO demonstrated significant improvements in sprint times (5m: −13.1%, 10m: -6.2%) and jump performance (CMJ: +8.2%, SJ: +13.4%). Conclusions Bi-weekly loaded plyometric training (8% body mass) with COD effectively enhances multiple neuromuscular performance parameters in elite adolescent female basketball players. Loaded protocols demonstrate superior adaptations in repeated-sprint ability and change-of-direction speed compared to unloaded training, providing practical evidence to support the implementation of loaded plyometric training in female youth basketball.