title: Strength and conditioning practices of National Basketball Association strength and conditioning coaches.
abstract: This study describes the results of a survey of the practices of National Basketball Association strength and conditioning (NBA S&C) coaches. The response rate was 68.9% (20 of 29). This survey examines (a) background information, (b) physical testing, (c) flexibility development, (d) speed development, (e) plyometrics, (f) strength/power development, (g) unique aspects, and (h) comments from coaches providing additional information. Results indicate, in part, that coaches assess an average of 7.3 parameters of fitness, with body composition testing being the most common. All coaches used a variety of flexibility development strategies. Results reveal that 17 of 20 (85.0%) of NBA S&C coaches follow a periodization model. Nineteen of 20 coaches (95.0%) indicated that their athletes used Olympic-style lifts. All coaches employed plyometric exercises with their athletes. The squat and its variations, as well as the Olympic-style lifts and their variations, were the most frequently used exercises. The survey serves as a review and a source of applied information and new ideas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy/Program in Exercise Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA. christopher.simenz@mu.edu
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Simenz
authors.forename: Carrie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dugan
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Ebben
mesh_terms: D001490:Basketball / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018583:Pliability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States