ABSTRACT
Portugal; 2Federal University of Paraná, Brazil; 3Professor Emeritus, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, Austin, USA;
4Research Professor, Department of Health and Physical Education, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, USA
33.1 INTRODUCTION Regeneration of muscle ATP through nonoxidative mechanisms is an essential feature in training and performance. Efforts of short duration and maximum intensity often occur during basketball games and frequently during decisive moments (Ben Abdelkrim et al., 2007; McInnes et al., 1995). It is generally accepted that anaerobic energy production mechanisms are important features of talent development programs and sport-specific fitness testing (Pearson et al., 2006), but relatively little information is available on the contribution of anaerobic metabolism to success in young athletes, including basketball players. Moreover, the value of testing is frequently debated in the context of the relative accuracy of field versus laboratory protocols. Although laboratory tests are performed under controlled conditions, motivation is generally higher in conditions that approximate game situations (Van Praagh and França, 1998). The present study had two objectives (1) to evaluate associations between the Wingate [WanT] laboratory test and two field protocols [140-m line drill, 7-sprints] of anaerobic performance, and (2) to test the efficacy of concurrent protocols to discriminate adolescent players by competitive level.
