The effects of an 8-week, pre-season training program on vertical jump, agility and anaerobic power in elite female basketball players

• Main Author: Bott, Carmen E.
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/17502

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week training program by comparing changes in four performance indicators: vertical jump, peak power, agility and anaerobic power. An additional objective was to monitor the adaptive process of each subject in the treatment group by quantifying the training stimulus and measuring these adaptation indicators: fatigue, stress, sleep quality and DOMS, via a daily training log. The treatment group, (n= 10) completed an eight-week pre-season plan, which emphasized agility, explosive power and anaerobic conditioning and followed an undulating periodization model. The control group, a college level team, (n = 9) participated in regular practice sessions only. Three repeated measurements were taken on the treatment group (baseline, at week 5 and at week 9) and two measurements were taken (baseline and week 9) on the control group. Tests administered to both groups were a vertical jump test, a T-test and an anaerobic speed test. A 2 x 4 MANOVA was conducted to measure performance changes over time with the treatment group. Statistical significance was set at α <. 05. Although statistical significance was only detected when comparing week 5 to week 9 (p=.041) the descriptive results showed the athlete's in the treatment group improved in all four performance indicators,. Follow-up univariate analysis confirmed that the agility scores were significantly better at week 9 (p=.009). It was also found that the once individual athlete's training logs were quantified, those who documented a maladaptive pattern also did not show improvements in performance. A multivariate two sample t-test was also performed to assess differences between the treatment group and the control group. No significance was found (p=.308). This study indicates that, although both groups demonstrated improvements in all four performance indicators, the treatment group's improvement is more noteworthy because they were initially closer to their biological ceiling. Also, the training log in combination with periodic performance testing, supports the hypothesis that these are excellent methods of monitoring an athlete's adaptive capacity and can provide rationale for declines in physical performance. === Education, Faculty of === Kinesiology, School of === Graduate