Abstract:High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has gained attention as an effective training method for improving basketball performance. This study investigates the impact of an 8-week HIIT program on basketball-specific physiological and performance metrics, compared to traditional endurance training. Basketball is an intermittent sport, requiring both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems for activities like sprints, jumps, and rapid direction changes. Traditional endurance training often focuses on aerobic capacity but neglects the anaerobic demands of the sport.
In contrast, HIIT emphasizes short bursts of high-intensity activity, which better replicate the physical demands of basketball. This study involved 40 male basketball players aged 18-25, randomly assigned to either a HIIT group or a control group performing traditional endurance training. Key metrics measured included VO2 max, lactate threshold, sprint performance, and muscle endurance.
Results demonstrated that the HIIT group showed significantly greater improvements across all performance metrics. VO2 max increased by 13.3% in the HIIT group compared to 4.8% in the control group. Additionally, the HIIT group exhibited a 10.9% improvement in lactate threshold, 5.3% faster sprint times, and 7.9% higher jump performance, indicating superior muscle endurance.
Findings suggest that HIIT is a more effective training method for basketball players, enhancing both aerobic and anaerobic performance and aligning better with the sport's physical demands.