HORIZONTAL JUMP PROFILE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SPRINT SPEED AND ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES IN YOUTH BASKETBALL PLAYERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53591/5vs5g295Keywords:
Standing long jump, arm swing, sprint speed, anthropometry, youth basketball.Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of arm swing on horizontal jump performance and its relationship with height, weight, and speed in youth basketball players. Methods: Ten male players (13.7 ± 0.8 years) performed the horizontal jump without arms (SLSI-sb), with arms (SLSI-cb), and a 20‑m sprint test. Height and weight were measured. Paired t‑tests and Spearman correlations were used. Results: The SLSI-cb (216.7 ± 16.5 cm) was significantly greater than the SLSI-sb (185.4 ± 14.2 cm), with a mean increase of 31.3 cm (p = 0.002; d = 2.01). Height correlated positively with SLSI-cb (ρ = 0.67; p = 0.033), but not with SLSI-sb (ρ = 0.47; p = 0.172). Both jump modalities correlated significantly with each other (ρ = 0.64; p = 0.045), indicating a shared explosive strength foundation. No significant correlations were found between jumping (with or without arms) and 20‑m speed (SLSI-sb: ρ = -0.21; p = 0.56; SLSI-cb: ρ = -0.33; p = 0.35). Body weight showed no significant correlation with any variable (p > 0.05 in all cases). Conclusion: Arm swing significantly increases horizontal jump performance in youth basketball players, with a very large effect size (d = 2.01). Height is associated with performance only when arm swing is allowed, suggesting taller players better exploit this technique. Speed and horizontal jump are independent abilities, so they should be trained separately. Evaluating both jump modalities in formative basketball is recommended to obtain a comprehensive explosive profile and identify possible deficits in upper‑body force transfer.
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