COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF CIRCUIT TRAINING WITH AND WITHOUT BALL ON YOUNG ATHLETES’ PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two different short-term intervention programs—circuit training with and without ball involvement—on sprint and agility performance in youth basketball players in Tirana, Albania. A total of 59 male participants (mean age: 16.1 years), who had not sustained injuries in the previous six months, were divided into three groups: intervention without ball (NB, n = 23), intervention with ball (WB, n = 19), and a control group (n = 17). The NB program consisted of 15-minute strength and conditioning circuits performed three times per week for 12 weeks. The WB program incorporated similar training drills but included ball-handling elements, conducted over 14 weeks. The control group maintained their regular basketball training routine. Results showed that both NB and WB groups significantly improved 10-meter sprint times compared to the control group, with no significant differences between the two intervention types. For 20-meter sprints, however, improvements were not statistically significant. Notably, the NB group demonstrated superior gains in agility (10x5m shuttle run and T-test) compared to both WB and control groups. These findings suggest that reduced task complexity in training, such as removing the ball during agility drills, may lead to enhanced neuromuscular adaptations. This study reinforces the importance of targeted physical training programs in youth sports development and supports the integration of simplified drills to optimize performance gains.