LOWER LIMB STRENGTH TRAINING FOR BASKETBALL PLAYERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Lower limb strength training can improve body balance and impact the professional level of athletes. According to recent research, the strength training design has been gaining emphasis in supplementing the training of Chinese basketball professionals, although it still lacks evidence about its real optimization effect. Objective: Study the lower limb explosive strength training method in basketball players by exploring its optimization effects. Methods: The randomized controlled experiment on 30 students randomly divided into control and experimental groups lasted 12 weeks, with three weekly training sessions, each lasting 80 minutes. The control group underwent the traditional mode of lower limb strength training. In contrast, the experimental group performed a functional training protocol consisting of the single-foot jump, spring exercise, push-pull exercise, and pedaling, among other movements, according to the students’ sports conditions and needs. Results: Statistically, the results of the functional evaluative tests showed an improvement of the test group's approach to single foot takeoff touch to (3.389 ± 0.042) m, the optimization rate was 2.5078%, the double foot takeoff touch height was improved to (3, 016 ± 0.299) m, the optimization rate was 0.7950%, the whole fast dribbling range was reduced to (20.176 ± 0.374) s, the optimization rate was 6.0401%, and benefit spectrum was significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion: Functional strength training can significantly increase the explosive power of the lower limbs of basketball athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.