ONLINE VIDEO-BASED RESISTANCE TRAINING IMPROVES THE PHYSICAL CAPACITY OF JUNIOR BASKETBALL ATHLETES

Klusemann, MJ, Pyne, DB, Fay, T, and Drinkwater, EJ. Online Video-Based Resistance Training Improves the Physical Capacity of Junior Basketball Athletes. J Strength Cond Res 26(10): 2677-2684, 2012-Junior basketball athletes require a well-designed resistance training program to improve their physical development. Lack of expert supervision and resistance training in junior development pathways may be overcome by implementing an online video-based program. The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude of improvement (change) in physical performance and strength and functional movement patterns of junior basketball athletes using either a fully supervised or an online video-based resistance training program. Thirty-eight junior basketball athletes (males, n = 17; age, 14 +/- 1 year; height, 1.79 +/- 0.10 m; mass, 67 +/- 12 kg; females, n = 21; age, 15 +/- 1 year; height, 1.70 +/- 0.07 m; mass, 62 +/- 8 kg) were randomly assigned into a supervised resistance training group (SG, n = 13), video training group (VG, n = 13) or control group (CG, n = 12) and participated in a 6-week controlled experimental trial. Pre- and posttesting included measures of physical performance (20-m sprint, step-in vertical jump, agility, sit and reach, line drill, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1), strength (15 s push-up and pull-up), and functional movement screening (FMS). Both SG and VG achieved 3-5% 6 2-4% (mean +/- 90% confidence limits) greater improvements in several physical performance measures (vertical jump height, 20-m sprint time, and Yo-Yo endurance performance) and a 28 +/- 21% greater improvement in push-up strength compared with the CG. The SG attained substantially larger gains in FMS scores over both the VG (12 +/- 10%) and CG (13 +/- 8%). Video-based training appears to be a viable option to improve physical performance and strength in junior basketball athletes. Qualified supervision is recommended to improve functional movement patterns in junior athletes.