Effect of Three Pre-Season Training Protocols with Different Training Frequencies on Biochemical and Performance Markers in Professional Female Basketball Players

This study examined the impact of three pre-season fitness training protocols with different training frequencies (heavy, moderate and light) on the physical abilities and the biochemical indicators of muscle damage and oxidative stress in female basketball athletes as expressed through physiological and biochemical assessments. Also, a comparison and a search for correlations were made between the physiological and biochemical changes that were caused by each protocol. The sample consisted of 28 professional female basketball athletes, who competed in three different teams, and each training protocol was assigned to each of the three teams. The somatometric and performance markers measured were as follows: weight, fat percentage, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, vertical jumping ability, speed, acceleration, explosiveness and maximum lower body part strength. The biochemical measurements consisted of exercise-induced muscle damage (creatine kinase—CK, lactate dehydrogenase—LDH) and oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls—PCs, glutathione peroxidase—GPx). The three fitness training protocols that were used improved the fitness status of high-level female basketball athletes after 6 weeks during the pre-season period, but they were also accompanied by some significant differences between them (fat percentage, anaerobic capacity, speed and acceleration). The results were also accompanied by an increase in CK and LDH for the three teams and by an increase in GPx for Teams 1 and 3. Also, we concluded that even 4 more or 4 less fitness training units (TUs) during a 6-week basketball preparation period can be considered important to differentiate the outcomes of physiological and biochemical markers. The purpose of this study was to provide more theoretical and practical knowledge to basketball coaches and trainers, so they can optimize the training process during the preparation period and thus maximize the performance of their athletes. Nevertheless, the present study was created with certain limitations, such as the small sample size for each team, the absence of a long-term follow-up or the lack of a control group. Future studies may need to turn their focus on fitness protocols with longer durations, try to differentiate the types of training protocols and attempt to achieve a better balance between maximizing performance and mitigating the muscle damage and oxidative stress levels.