Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6-week CrossFit exercises on anaerobic endurance and anaerobic strength in male basketball players. The sample of the study was composed of 24 male basketball players; 12 in the test group (20.17 ± 2.65 years, 183.67 ± 7.21 cm, 78.17 ± 10.54 kg, 22.96 ± 2.39 kg/cm2) and 12 in the control group (21.67 ± 3.62 years, 184.75 ± 5.20 cm, 77.08 ± 8.57 kg, 22.57 ± 2.28 kg/cm2). Anthropometric measurements of all the basketball players participating in the study were obtained and they were applied a 20-minute warm-up program before the measurements including a 5-minute jogging and 15-minute dynamic stretching movements. Following the warm-up, MyJump vertical jump test was applied for anaerobic strength measurement by using the 240 Hz high-speed video shooting feature of IPhone 6S smartphone, and Lewis formula was used for anaerobic strength measurement. In determining anaerobic endurance, 6×35 meter Repeated Sprint Test (R.S.T.) was applied with 10-second rest intervals. After the measurements, the participants were divided into two groups as the test group and the control group. While the test group basketball players participated in the CrossFit training program 3 times a week for a period of 6 weeks in addition to their basketball trainings, the control group basketball players only performed their basketball trainings. At the end of the 6-week period, the test protocol was repeated for both groups. In data analysis, SPSS 20.0 package program was used. According to the results of the statistical analysis; it was determined that there was no significant difference in between-groups pre-test results of the test group and control group, and in the pre-test/post-test results of the control group. However, in the post-test results, it was revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test/post-test results of the test group in the Repeated Sprint Test Mean (R.S.T.M.), Fatigue Index (FI) and Anaerobic Strength (AS); and that there was also a statistically significant difference between the two groups in R.S.T.M. and A.S. (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it can be said that the 6-week CrossFit exercises have improved anaerobic endurance and anaerobic strength in male basketball players. Therefore, it is suggested that basketball coaches can use CrossFit exercises as an alternative in order to improve their players’ anaerobic endurance and anaerobic strength.

Keywords: