The effects of specific conditioning on speed abilities in young female basketball players

Authors analyzed the influence of training executed during preparation before Women’s U-17 European Championships on speed abilities. The authors determined if is it possible to significantly change the level of speed abilities during 6 weeks of training and characterize relation between training volume and intensity and the level of maximal running velocity. Research was conducted on 12 elite young basketball female players, representatives of Polish U-17 national team(body height and mass respectively 178,04±6,827 cm and 67,89±6,812 cm). Testing procedure included 15 min. general warm-up, that included running and stretching followed by 4 maximal sprints at 30 m. They were separated by 5 min. rest intervals and only last two were registered. The time at 5th and 15th m was statistically significantly better after conducted training (F=5,963 and p=0,023; F=4,307 and p=0,050 respectively). A very important result was obtained in case of maximal velocity, which improved also significantly by 5,368% (F=4682 and p=0,041). The relation between time at 5th, 15th and 20th m are statistically significant as well as between 15th, 20th and 30th. A significant correlation appeared also between the longest distances i.e. 20th and 30th m. Authors determined that after six-weeks of training significant improvement was registered at short running distance (5 and 15m) and maximal running velocity. The relationship between training volume at specific intensities and improvement of speed abilities is unclear and need further experiments.