Plyometrics or balance training effects on lower body power, balance and reactive agility in collegiate basketball athletes: A randomized control trial

Objective: Our purpose was to examine the effects of a 4-week plyometric training or balance training program on lower body power, balance, and reactive agility in collegiate basketball athletes. \n\nMaterials and Methods: Twenty-five National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III basketball players (14 women, 11 men; 18±2.2years, 172.5±9.4 cm, 71.9±8.9 kg) participated this study. They were assigned to 3 groups in this Randomized Controlled Trial: (1) Plyometric (n=8), (2) Balance (n=9), (3) Control (n=8). Participants in the plyometric and balance groups performed training for 2 times/week for 4 weeks during pre-season while the control group did not perform any training outside of regular practice. Separate 2 (Within, time: pre, post) x 3 (Between, group: plyometric, balance, control) Repeated-Measures ANOVAs with adjusted-Bonferroni pairwise-comparisons examined participants’ Single Leg Triple Hop (SLTH; m) distance, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS; errors) scores, and Reactive Agility (RA; s) times before and after training. \n\nResults: No statistically significant interactions existed across any tests Participants’ performance remained similar pre and post training (SLTH: F2,21=2.1, p=0.2; BESS: F2,21=.52, p=0.6; RA: F2,21=2.2, p=0.13). All groups had overall similar SLTH (F2,2=0.07, p=0.8) and BESS scores (F2,21=3.8, p=0.06). Although groups had overall different RA times (F2,2=22.2, p<.001). No statistically significant interactions existed across any tests.\n\nConclusions: Overall, 4-weeks of plyometric or balance training did not change lower body power, balance, and reactive agility time in collegiate basketball athletes. Potential reasons may include timing of interventions, intervention durations, training program intensity, and that the participants were already trained collegiate athletes. How much duration and intensity of plyometric and balance training is required to influence performance in collegiate basketball players needs further study.