Small-Sided Game Training Improves Aerobic Capacity and Technical Skills in Basketball Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 training interventions based on small-sided games (SGG) and high-intensity interval training (HIT) on physical and technical performance of male junior basketball players. A secondary objective was to investigate if these effects were similar in starting and bench players. 18 players participated in a pre-testing session, 6-weeks intervention period and a post-testing session. Pre- and post-sessions involved assessments of aerobic fitness, repeated sprint ability (RSA), defensive and offensive agility, upper and lower body power, shooting and passing skills. Mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons examined the effects of time and type of intervention on physical and technical performances. The main results showed that both interventions resulted in similar improvements in aerobic capacity (+3.4% vs. +4.1%), with greater improvements in bench players compared to starting players (+7.1% vs. +1.1%, P<0.05). However, RSA was unchanged after both interventions. In addition, compared to HIT, SSG resulted in greater improvements in defensive agility (+4.5% vs. −2.7%, P<0.05), shooting skills (+7.4% vs. −2.4%, P<0.05) and upper body power (+7.9% vs. −2.0%, P<0.05). These results suggest that SSG should be prioritized in physical conditioning of junior basketball players during the season. However, when RSA is targeted, more specific training seems necessary.

Key words

passing - repeated sprint - agility - explosive power - shooting

• References

• 1 Apostolidis N, Nassis GP, Bolatoglou T, Geladas ND. Physiological and technical characteristics of elite young basketball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2003; 43: 157-163
• 2 Atlı H, Köklü Y, Alemdaroğlu U, Koçak FÜ. A comparison of heart rate response and frequencies of technical actions between half-court and full-court 3-a-side games in high school female basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 2013; 27: 352-356
• 3 Ben Abdelkrim N, Castagna C, Jabri I, Battikh T, El Fazaa S, El Ati J. Activity profile and physiological requirements of junior elite basketball players in relation to aerobic-anaerobic fitness. J Strength Cond Res 2010; 24: 2330-2342
• 4 Billat VL. Interval training for performance: a scientific and empirical practice. Special recommendations for middle- and long-distance running-part I, aerobic interval training. Sports Med 2001; 31: 13-31
• 5 Bogdanis GC, Ziagos V, Anastasiadis M, Maridaki M. Effects of two different short-term training programs on the physical and technical abilities of adolescent basketball players. J Sci Med Sport 2007; 10: 79-88
• 6 Buchheit M. The 30-15 intermittent fitness test: accuracy for individualizing interval training of young intermittent sport players. J Strength Cond Res 2008; 22: 365-374
• 7 Buchheit M, Bishop D, Haydar B, Nakamura FY, Ahmaidi S. Physiological responses to shuttle repeated-sprint running. Int J Sports Med 2010; 31: 402-409
• 8 Buchheit M, Laursen PB, Kuhnle J, Ruch D, Renaud C, Ahmaidi S. Game-based training in young elite handball players. Int J Sports Med 2009; 30: 251-258
• 9 Buchheit M, Lepretre PM, Behaegel AL, Millet GP, Cuvelier G, Ahmaidi S. Cardiorespiratory responses during running and sport-specific exercises in handball players. J Sci Med Sport 2009; 12: 399-405
• 10 Castagna C, Manzi V, D'Ottavio S, Annino G, Padua E, Bishop D. Relation between maximal aerobic power and the ability to repeat sprints in young basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 2007; 21: 1172-1176
• 11 Caterisano A, Patrick BT, Edenfield WL, Batson MJ. The effects of a basketball season on aerobic and strength parameters among college men: starters vs. reserves. J Strength Cond Res 1997; 11: 21-24
• 12 Chaouachi A, Brughelli M, Chamari K, Levin GT, Ben Abdelkrim N, Laurencelle L, Castagna C. Lower limb maximal dynamic strength and agility determinants in elite basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23: 1570-1577
• 13 Davis KL, Kang M, Boswell BB, DuBose KD, Altman SR, Binkley HM. Validity and reliability of the medicine ball throw for kindergarten children. J Strength Cond Res 2008; 22: 1958-1963
• 14 Delextrat A, Kraiem S. Heart Rate Responses by Playing Position During Ball-Drills in Basketball Players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2012; 10 [Epub ahead of print]
• 15 Drinkwater EJ, Pyne DB, McKenna MJ. Design and interpretation of anthropometric and fitness testing of basketball players. Sports Med 2008; 38: 565-578
• 16 Ferguson CJ. An effect size primer: A guide for clinicians and researchers. Prof Psychol 2009; 40: 532-538
• 17 Ferrari Bravo D, Impellizzeri FM, Rampinini E, Castagna C, Bishop D, Wisloff U. Sprint vs. interval training in football. Int J Sports Med 2008; 29: 668-674
• 18 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
• 19 Hill-Haas SV, Coutts AJ, Rowsell GJ, Dawson BT. Generic versus small-sided game training in soccer. Int J Sports Med 2009; 30: 636-642
• 20 Impellizzeri FM, Marcora SM, Castagna C, Reilly T, Sassi A, Iaia FM, Rampinini E. Physiological and performance effects of generic versus specific aerobic training in soccer players. Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 483-492
• 21 Khlifa R, Aouadi R, Hermassi S, Chelly MS, Jlid MC, Hbacha H, Castagna C. Effects of a plyometric training program with and without added load on jumping ability in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 2010; 24: 2955-2961
• 22 Klusemann MJ, Pyne DB, Foster C, Drinkwater EJ. Optimising technical skills and physical loading in small-sided basketball games. J Sports Sci 2012; 30: 1463-1471
• 23 McCormick BT, Hannon JC, Mewton M, Shultz B, Miller N, Young W. Comparison of physical activity in small-sided basketball games versus full-sided games. Int J Sports Sci Coaching 2012; 7: 689-697
• 24 McKeag DB . (ed.) Basketball. Indianapolis, USA: Blackwell Science Limited; 2003
• 25 Montgomery PG, Pyne DB, Minahan CL. The physical and physiological demands of basketball training and competition. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2010; 5: 75-86
• 26 Munro AG, Herrington LC. Between-session reliability of four hop tests and the agility T-test. J Strength Cond Res 2011; 25: 1470-1477
• 27 Narazaki K, Berg K, Stergiou N, Chen B. Physiological demands of competitive basketball. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2009; 19: 425-432
• 28 Sampaio J, Abrantes C, Leite N. Power, heart rate and perceived exertion responses to 3×3 and 4×4 basketball small-sided games. Rev Psicol Dep 2009; 18 (suppl.) 463-467
• 29 Silva MJ, Figueiredo AJ, Carvalho HM, Malina RM. Functional capacities and sport-specific skills of 14- to 15-year-old male basketball players: Size and maturity effects. Eur J Sports Sci 2008; 8: 277-285