The Use of Sleds as a Unique Training Technique for Anaerobic Performance Development among Young Basketball Players

Abstract

(1) Playing basketball entails intense anaerobic activities, including short sprints, sudden stops, rapid direction changes, and jumps. Common training methods for enhancing players’ anaerobic fitness comprise sprint training, jump exercises, and interval training. The aim of this research was to compare the impact of three sprint-training methods on anaerobic capacity. (2) The study included 25 male basketball players, aged 16–18 years, from the National Youth League in Israel. The participants were divided into three groups: sled-pushing, sled-dragging (intervention), and no sled (control) sprint training. Twice-weekly sessions were conducted over a five-week period, in addition to their regular basketball training. Pre- and post-intervention tests included vertical and horizontal jumps, 5 and 20 m sprints, and agility tests. (3) The study revealed significant improvements in the horizontal jump in the sled-pushing group (≈3%) and a near-significant improvement in the sled-dragging group (≈2.9%). Less improvement was seen in the control group (≈1.8%). No improvements were seen in the vertical jump performance in any groups, despite an increase in the sled-pushing group (≈5.5%) and in the sled-dragging group (≈3%) compared to that in the control group (≈1.2%). Finally, no improvements were seen in sprint speed and agility in any group. (4) Despite the modest improvements observed in most tests across the three groups, the consistent and significant enhancement seen in the sled-pushing and sled-dragging groups compared to that in the control group suggests potential benefits for sled assistance in anaerobic training in young basketball players.