The effects of contrast and complex training methods on planned change of direction and reactive agility in U16 male basketball players

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of complex and contrast training methods on reactive agility and planned change of direction performances in U16 male basketball players. 30 licensed male basketball players playing in the U16 category of Isparta Province participated in the study by obtaining the "Parent Information and Permission Form". The basketball players were randomly divided into three groups as control group, complex training group and contrast training group. The control group received only basketball training, the complex training group received complex training program in addition to basketball training and the contrast training group received contrast training program in addition to basketball training. Before and after the training programs were applied to the athletes, reactive agility test and planned change of direction test were applied. Descriptive statistics were used in statistical analysis. "Shapiro-Wilk" test was used for normal distribution of the data. "Paired t Test" was applied to data showing normal distribution in within-group tests and "One-Way ANOVA" test was applied in between-group tests. When the paired t-test results of the groups were examined, in the planned change of direction test, no difference was found as a result of the pre-post test comparison of the control and complex training groups (p>0.05); the difference was found to be statistically significant as a result of the pre-post test comparison of the contrast training group (p<0.05); in the reactive change of direction test, no difference was found as a result of the pre-post test comparison of the control group (p>0.05); the difference was found to be statistically significant as a result of the contrast and complex pre-post test comparison (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the results of the comparison between the groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the contrast training method, compared to the complex training method, allows the player to complete the training without getting bored and the athlete to achieve more development in a shorter time due to the more varied application of movements and less rest periods.