Effects of an integrated strength training program on vertical and horizontal explosive performance in youth basketball: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Performance in youth basketball is strongly influenced by the development of both vertical and horizontal explosive abilities, the progression of which during the preparatory period represents a crucial element for effective training load planning. Despite the widespread use of strength training in youth basketball, limited longitudinal research is available on its integrated effects on different expressions of explosive performance, particularly when vertical and horizontal components are analyzed simultaneously. However, limited evidence is available regarding the effectiveness of integrated strength training programs in simultaneously improving different manifestations of explosive performance in athletes undergoing maturation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the neuromuscular adaptations induced by a progressive strength training protocol in Under-19 basketball athletes. The experimental design is longitudinal, with four assessment points (Pre, Mid, Post, and Follow-up) carried out on fourteen athletes using Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and Standing Long Jump (SLJ). The intervention was conducted over an extended training period and integrated into the competitive season, allowing the evaluation of time-dependent neuromuscular adaptations under real training conditions. Statistical analyses were conducted through repeated-measures ANOVA, preceded by verification of data normality (Shapiro–Wilk test). Results show progressive increases across all three tests: SJ from 35.71 ± 1.99 cm to 41.16 ± 2.27 cm, CMJ from 38.14 ± 2.57 cm to 43.57 ± 2.65 cm, and SLJ from 211.71 ± 10.53 cm to 233.29 ± 10.33 cm. ANOVA revealed a highly significant main effect of time for all variables (F = 2759.0; p < .001), confirming the impact of the program. These improvements suggest that the applied training stimulus was sufficient to induce meaningful adaptations in force production and power expression across multiple movement planes. The findings suggest that a methodologically structured strength program, integrated within the weekly microcycle, is effective in promoting simultaneous improvements in the different expressions of explosiveness relevant to youth basketball performance.