Abstract des Autors

Past studies of male basketball players have been limited to skill analyses, anthropometric measures; strength determination, predicitve motor ability tests, and two studies conducted on heart rate and blood pressure following preseason training. The present study has attempted to assess maximal aerobic capacity, hematological determinations as well as selected anthropometric and strength measures among the entire University of Arkansas basketball team. Measures were taken at the beginning and conclusion of an 8-wk preseason training program, which combined interval and distance running with a 3 day/wk weight lifting regimen. Significant changes were found in body weight (2 lb), upper arm girth (.15 in.), skinfolds (triceps: -.8 mm; thigh: -1.2 mm; iliac crest: -1.3 mm; subscapulae: -.4 m and percentage body fat: -9%), horizontal flexion (dominant: 25.0 lb; nondominant: 25.9 lb), elbow extension (nondominant: 14.8 lb), leg strength (121.9 lb), recovery heart rate (at 2 min: -8.3), diastolic blood pressure (-7.2 mm Hg), PWCmax (90.0 kpm/min) and max VO2 (.33 L/min and 3.56 ml/min/kg). Blood measures showed a significant drop in hemoglobin (-.41 mg %) and sugar (-5.8 mg %). Similar blood changes have been observed among track athletes at the University of Arkansas and suggests that certain concentrations of blood serum constituents decrease during training. Verf.-Referat