Repeated Sprint Ability in Elite Basketball Players: The Effects of 10 x 30 m Vs. 20 x 15 m Exercise Protocols on Physiological Variables and Sprint Performance

Team sports players are required to perform repeated bouts of short-term high-intensity actions during the games. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a novel repeated sprint ability protocol (20x15 m) and compare it with the impact of a more traditional repeated sprint ability protocol (10x30 m). Twelve male elite Lithuanian basketball players (age 21.0 +/- 2.0 y, body height 1.90 +/- 0,07 m, body mass 86.2 +/- 5.8 kg and training experience 12.0 +/- 1.9 y) competing in the Lithuanian National Basketball Championship participated in this study. Participants completed three bouts of each repeated sprint protocol interspersed with 5 minutes of recovery. Results showed that the 20x15 m protocol caused a significant decrease in total sprint time (most likely; mean changes (%) with +/- 90% of confidence limits, -9.4%; +/- 0.7%) and a large decrease in blood lactate (most likely, -39.2%; +/- 12.8%) compared to the 10x30 m protocol. Despite small differences, the fatigue index presented a similar trend (possibly decrease, -23.7%; +/- 38.8%). The exercise heart rate showed a very similar trend with trivial differences between the two protocols. The 20x15 m protocol presented a lower heart rate during recovery with small magnitude. Overall, the present study showed that the 20x15 m protocol seemed to be more representative of the specific basketball demands. Coaches should be aware that RSA training during the in-season may be an adequate stimulus to improve high-intensity runs and muscle power in high-level players.