Influence of unilateral and bilateral plyometric training integrated with linear sprinting on physical performance in youth male basketball players

This study aimed to compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral plyometric training integrated with linear sprinting on neuromuscular performance in youth male basketball players. The primary focus was to identify which modality produces superior adaptations in explosive power, sprint acceleration, agility, reactive agility, horizontal power, and repeated sprint ability. Fifty-two competitive male basketball players (aged 14–17 years) were randomly assigned to four groups: Unilateral Plyometric + Sprint Training (UPT + LST), Bilateral Plyometric + Sprint Training (BPT + LST), Linear Sprint Training only (LST), and an Active Control Group (ACG). Over eight weeks, the training groups trained twice weekly under professional supervision. Pre- and post-tests assessed performance using the countermovement jump (CMJ), 10 m and 20 m sprint tests, 505 agility, reactive agility, standing long jump (SLJ), and repeated sprint ability (RSA). Data were analyzed using a 2 × 4 mixed-design ANOVA (time × group), with significance set at p < .05. Significant time × group interactions were observed for explosive power (p = .000, η2p = .38), agility (p = .001, η2p = .28), reactive agility (p = .003, η2p = .24), horizontal power (p = .029, η2p = .17), and repeated sprint ability (p = .034, η2p = .16). Training groups showed % improvements ranging from 3 to 7% across these variables. Both UPT + LST and BPT + LST significantly outperformed the active control group, with UPT + LST demonstrating slightly broader neuromuscular adaptations. Sprint performance (10 m and 20 m) improved modestly in training groups (-1.66% to -4.61%), though the overall time × group interaction was not statistically significant (10 m: p = .427; 20 m: p = .055). However, post-hoc analyses revealed significant differences for LST versus control in both sprint distances (p < .05). Eight weeks of unilateral or bilateral plyometric training integrated with sprinting significantly enhanced neuromuscular performance in youth basketball players. Unilateral training yielded broader improvements, while bilateral training more effectively improved agility and horizontal power. The findings support the inclusion of structured plyometric-sprint protocols in youth basketball conditioning programs.