Effect of strength training in wheelchair basketball players

This study was designed to investigate to effect of strength training in wheelchair basketball players. This study were included 10 men wheelchair basketball players whose age avarege were 31,20 ± 4,18 years old. The 20 meter sprint speed, Illinois Agility Test, anaerobic power and muscle strength of shoulder flexion-abduction, elbow flexion-extension, wrist flexion-extension of athletes were measured. After pretests, they were divided into two groups as explosive strength (ES) training (n=5) and control (CN) groups (n=5) according to their classification points. The ES training group underwent 6-weeks of training, twice weekly, at % 50 1 RM, 10-12 repeat, 3-4 set. The control group were contiuned routin training at this period. After 6 weeks, the data analyses were done by using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Mann Whitney U Test. It was observed that ES training significantly increased shoulder flexion-abduction, elbow flexion-extension, wrist extension and right wrist flexion muscular strength at two upper extremities in the ES group (p<0.05). It was observed that except for left shoulder flexion, wrist flexion and both wrist extension muscular strength in the CN group (p<0.05). The difference between the groups examined, ES training, upper extremity muscle strength were found to show a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05). In the two groups in speed, agility, and anaerobic power a statistically significant increase was observed, considering the difference between the groups, ES training group showed a significant improvement (p<0.05). These results suggest that a 6-week, 2 times per week, 3-4 sets, 10- 12 repeats, ES training has led to improvements in the upper extremity muscle strength, speed, agility and anaerobic power of wheelchair basketball athletes.Key words: Wheelchair basketball, explosive strength training, speed, agility, anaerobic power.