Plyometric and Stability Exercise Protocol in Female Basketball Players

Efficacy of a Plyometric and Stability Exercise Protocol in Female Basketball Players. A Controlled Clinical Study.

Introduction. Basketball is a high intensity intermittent sport, requiring jumping, running, accelerations and decelerations with changes of direction and lateral movements. Plyometric exercises are a training technique that consists of a cycle of muscle stretching and shortening in which the energy stored in the eccentric phase (lengthening) is released facilitating the production of maximum power in the concentric phase (shortening).

Objective. To analyse the efficacy of a physiotherapy intervention through a protocol of plyometric and stability exercises in the improvement of vertical jump, stability, flexibility and agility in federated female basketball players. The primary variable will be the vertical jump (My jump 2.0). Secondary variables will be stability (Y balance test), flexibility (Sit and Reach) and agility (T-Test).

Methods. Controlled, single-blind clinical study. 20 athletes will be randomised to the experimental and control groups. The intervention of the experimental group will consist of a protocol using plyometric and stability exercises. The athletes included in the control group will not perform any intervention and will continue with their usual routine. The intervention period will last 6 weeks, with a periodicity of 2 weekly sessions of 20 minutes each.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female players over 18 years of age.
• That during the study period they play basketball competing in the 1st Women's Division 1 category of the Basketball Federation of the Region of Murcia.
• That they perform strength exercises at least once a week.
• That they sign the informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Players with knee or ankle injuries in the 6 months prior to the study.
• Players who use ankle or knee braces regularly.
• Players with lower limb surgery in the last year.
• Players whose participation is contraindicated by the team doctor, physiotherapist or physical trainer.