Court vs. Aquatic Upper and Lower Limb Strength Training for Female Basketball Shooting and Passing

Abstract

This study aimed to identify which strength-training method is more effective for developing layup scoring abilities among junior national team basketball players: training on basketball courts (hard or rubber floors) or training in an aquatic environment. An experimental method was employed with junior national team players during the 2024 sports season. Participants were trained using strength exercises in the two environments, and layup scoring abilities were compared between groups. The findings showed that strength training on basketball courts and in aquatic environments both positively affected the development of abilities related to layup scoring. However, significant differences emerged between the court-trained and aquatic-trained groups in favor of the aquatic environment group, indicating that aquatic strength training was more effective. This study uniquely compares aquatic-medium strength training with conventional court-based training for layup scoring in junior basketball, addressing an underexplored training modality in Iraqi basketball practice. Coaches should consider incorporating strength training in the aquatic environment because of its positive impact on developing layup shooting abilities, while court-based training remains beneficial. This research contributes empirical evidence to basketball training design, supporting the integration of aquatic strength training as an effective method for enhancing performance-specific abilities such as layup scoring in junior players.