SIGNIFICANCE OF SPORTS-SPECIFIC STRENGTH TRAINING ON DRIBBLING AND SHOOTING IN YOUNG BASKETBALL PLAYERS.

Background: Dribbling and shooting are fundamental skills for basketball players. This study employs the Dribbling Test and Perimeter Shooting Test as outcome measures to evaluate performance in these areas. Objective: To assess the impact of sports-specific strength training on dribbling and shooting abilities in young female basketball players. Method: An experimental study was conducted with 30 female basketball players from the Magic Club team at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Pondicherry. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A (n=15) engaged in medicine ball and resistance band training, while Group B (n=15) performed only warm-up exercises. Training sessions were conducted three times per week over a six-week period. Pre- and post-tests were administered to measure dribbling and shooting performance. Results: Data were analysed using unpaired and paired t-tests for between-group and within-group comparisons, respectively. Results indicated a significant improvement in dribbling and shooting performance in Group A compared to Group B (p<0.01), demonstrating the effectiveness of the sports-specific strength training. Conclusions: The findings suggest that incorporating medicine ball and resistance band training (Group A) leads to greater improvements in dribbling and shooting performance in young basketball players compared to traditional warm-up exercises (Group B). Clinical Implications: These results emphasize the importance of integrating sports-specific strength training into training regimens for young basketball players. Coaches and trainers should consider these methods to enhance skill performance and potentially reduce the risk of injury, thereby contributing to the overall development and competitiveness of young athletes.