Comparative Effects of Two High-Intensity Intermittent Training Programs on Sub-Elite Male Basketball Referees'...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Sub-elite basketball referees require high levels of aerobic fitness and repeated sprint ability (RSA) to perform effectively during matches.
• Optimizing training programs for referees is crucial for enhancing on-court performance and reducing fatigue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of an 8-week training program using either repeated sprint ability (RSA)-based training or running-based high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) on the physical capabilities of sub-elite basketball referees.
• To assess the impact of these distinct training protocols on both aerobic fitness and RSA performance.

Main Methods:

• Twenty male sub-elite basketball referees participated in a supervised 8-week training intervention, with sessions conducted twice weekly.
• Participants were randomly allocated to either an RSA-based group (RSAG) performing repeated 20-m sprints or a running-based HIIT group (HIITG) performing 20-s runs at high intensity.
• Pre- and post-training assessments included a graded exercise test, the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15 IFT), and a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test.

Main Results:

• Both the RSAG and HIITG demonstrated significant improvements in the fastest and mean sprint velocities during the RSA test (approximately 3% increase, p < 0.05).
• Significant enhancements were also observed in the maximal velocity achieved during the 30-15 IFT in both training groups (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences in the magnitude of improvement were noted between the RSA-based and HIIT-based training groups for the assessed parameters.

Conclusions:

• An 8-week training intervention incorporating either RSA-based drills or running-based HIIT yields comparable improvements in repeated sprint ability and specific aerobic fitness markers for basketball referees.
• These findings suggest that both training modalities can be effectively utilized to enhance the physical conditioning of sub-elite basketball referees.
• The study provides valuable insights for coaches and sports scientists in designing targeted and efficient training programs for basketball officials.