Development of repeated sprint ability in Lithuanian deaf basketball players

Abstract

The aim of this research is to assess the repeated sprint ability (RSA) of deaf elite basketball players in order to determine the evolution of the deaf players’ muscle power during repeated-sprint exercise. Fourteen deaf male basketball players (28.3 ± 6.3 years) performed two RSA protocols consisting of 5 x 6 s cycling sprints with a 24 s rest interval between sprints. RSA was assessed by calculating absolute and relative peak power (PP), total work (TW) performed, fatigue index (FI), and work decrement (WD). The work decrement indices (7.1 ± 3.7%) for deaf players during the first trial were small and after 5-minute rest did not change significantly. The total work (332 ± 42 J) decreased by 6%. During the 5-minute passive rest, deaf basketball players’ absolute peak power recovers about 95% of the initial levels. Therefore, we suggest that such interval of rest is sufficient for deaf basketball players so that they can continue the game showing good capacity potential. We also suggest that when deaf basketball players aim for even greater repeated sprint abilities, they need to reduce work decrement maintaining the capacity of all sprints.