Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine if the Taylor University Preseason Basketball Training Program enhances vertical jump ability. Nineteen male college basketball players were tested prior to and after a four-week, 16 day, period. A standard test for vertical jump was used. The test had two trials measuring vertical jump ability. The test required the subjects to stand at attention with their dominant arm stretched up the wall. The height was measured. The subjects were then instructed to crouch down and explode up as high as possible. The height at the top of the jump was taken and the procedure was repeated. The best score of the two was then taken. The difference between the standing height and the jumping height were the final score. The training program consisted of 16 days over a four week period. Monday, Wednesday and Friday the subjects took part in a weight training program prior to classes in the morning. The program was endurancein nature, using high numbers of repetitions at three sets. The conditioning portion of the program was administered after classes in the afternoon. Two days a week a fitness activity was used, prior to a two mile run. The activity consisted of exercises that were total body movements, which emphasized total body strength, explosion and flexibility. The other days consist of short anaerobic sprints with minimal rest. After the statistical analysis of variance had shown there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest, the research hypothesis could not be rejected. The mean value for the pretest showed a score of 70.56cm and a standard deviation of 6.42. The posttest showed a score of 67.77cm and a standard deviation of 7.28 The difference showed a -2.79cm and a standard deviation of -.86. These data are in agreement with previous findings that too much long distance training is an inhibitor against vertical jumping ability. Also that the training period for increasing the vertical jumping ability of the subjects was not long enough.