title: Single-Leg Power Output and Between-Limbs Imbalances in Team-Sport Players: Unilateral Versus Bilateral Combined Resistance Training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral resistance training on single-leg power output, between-limbs imbalance (BLI), bilateral deficit (BLD), change of direction (COD), and linear sprinting and jumping performance in young elite basketball players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two young (U-16-U-19) male basketball players were randomly assigned either to an exclusive unilateral (UNI) (n = 11) or a bilateral (BIL) (n = 11) resistance-training group during a 6-wk period. Both groups training consisted of 3 unilateral or bilateral 90° back-squat sets. A postdetermined number of repetitions was set until power output dropped to <10% of maximum power (MP) output. In addition, both groups performed 2 sets of 5 unilateral or bilateral drop jumps and 2 sets of 5 unilateral or bilateral countermovement jumps (CMJ). Pre- and posttraining, performance was assessed by an incremental bilateral and unilateral squat-load test, a multiple-COD test (V-cut test), a 15-m-sprint test (7.5 + 7.5 m) with one 180° COD performed with both right (180° RCOD) and left (180° LCOD) legs, a 25-m-sprint test (5- and 15-m split time), and a CMJ test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within-group analyses showed substantial improvements in 180° RCOD, bilateral and unilateral MP, 25-m-sprint test, and CMJ in both groups. Between-groups analyses showed substantially better results in 180° LCOD, MP with right and left legs, BLI, and BLD in UNI than in BIL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both training programs substantially improved most of the physical-fitness tests, but only UNI reduced between-limbs asymmetry and achieved greater enhancements in actions that mostly required applying force unilaterally in basketball players.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gonzalo-Skok
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tous-Fajardo
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suarez-Arrones
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Arjol-Serrano
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Casajús
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendez-Villanueva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001490:Basketball / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D059385:Plyometric Exercise / Q000379:methods*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*
keywords: asymmetry; change-of-direction ability; instantaneous feedback; plyometrics