EFFECTS OF CROSSFIT PRACTICE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BASKETBALL ATHLETES

ABSTRACT Introduction: The strength training and conditioning program known as CrossFit has demonstrated a great capacity for optimization in cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and precision. It is believed that basketball athletes may derive benefits from their practice. Objective: Explore the effects of CrossFit practice on the sport performance of basketball athletes. Methods: Sixteen athletes were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed adapted CrossFit-based training, while the control group remained with traditional training. The indices relevant to the study were captured before and after the intervention, statistically analyzed, and discussed considering the current literature. Results: The average body fat rate of the experimental group was reduced from 22.33% to 17.68%, the average vital capacity increased from 6210.08 ml to 6270.44 ml; the average time of the 3000 m run was accelerated from 14.00 min to 12.50 min, and the average horizontal pull force value was increased from 63.02 kg to 79.84 kg; and the average ball hit rate in one minute increased from 31.06% to 40.17%. Conclusion: The application of CrossFit-based training was shown to effectively improve the physical level, fitness, and sports performance of basketball players, and can be applied to everyday training. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.