A Comparison of Bilateral vs. Unilateral Flywheel Strength Training on Physical Performance in Youth Male Basketball Players
<b>Background/objectives:</b> This study aimed to compare the effects of bilateral and unilateral flywheel training programs on leg strength, sprint performance, jumping, and change of direction ability in young basketball players. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty-two youth male basket...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/81 |
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| Summary: | <b>Background/objectives:</b> This study aimed to compare the effects of bilateral and unilateral flywheel training programs on leg strength, sprint performance, jumping, and change of direction ability in young basketball players. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty-two youth male basketball players were randomly assigned to two groups: the unilateral group (UG; n = 11; age = 15.5 ± 0.5 years) and the bilateral group (BG; n = 11; age = 15.2 ± 0.4 years). Both groups participated in a six-week flywheel training intervention (UG: split squat; BG: half squat) alongside their regular basketball activities. Performance measures included change of direction ability (5-0-5 test), knee extension 60 degrees/s leg strength (EX60), bilateral and unilateral countermovement jump heights (CMJ, CMJL, and CMJD), reactive strength index (RSI), and 5 m and 20 m sprint times (SPR5m and SPR20m). A 2 × 2 ANOVA was used to evaluate pre- to post-intervention changes. <b>Results:</b> Significant interaction effects were observed for the 5-0-5 test (F = 13.27; <i>p</i> = 0.02), with pre–post improvements of 8.4% and 13.3% for the BG and UG, respectively. Both groups showed significant CMJ improvements (11.4%, ES = 0.69 for the BG; 14.6%, ES = 1.4 for the UG). The UG demonstrated greater unilateral jump improvements compared to the BG. Significant RSI improvements were found for both groups (BG: 19.6%, ES = 0.95; UG: 19.6%, ES = 0.77). Both groups improved on sprint performance, with the UG showing slightly larger effect sizes. <b>Conclusions:</b> Unilateral flywheel strength training appeared to be a more effective strategy than bilateral training for enhancing strength, sprinting, jumping, and change of direction ability in youth basketball players. |
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| ISSN: | 2411-5142 |