Motor Skill Adaptations to a School-Based Basketball Training Program in Upper Secondary School Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2026.5.08Keywords:
basketball, physical education, motor learning, dribbling, shooting, adolescentsAbstract
Objectives. The study aimed to determine the effects of an eight-week school-based basketball training programme on dribbling and shooting performance in upper secondary school students and to examine accompanying changes in motor awareness, perceived self-efficacy, motivation, and peer collaboration.
Materials and Methods. Eighteen students aged 15–17 years participated in a single-group pre-test–post-test pilot study. The intervention consisted of two 60-minute sessions per week for eight weeks and included progressive technical exercises, pair and small-group tasks, simplified game situations, formative feedback, and reflection activities. Basketball-specific performance was assessed using the AAHPERD Control Dribble Test and Speed Spot Shooting Test. Qualitative data were obtained using a technical-motor observational rubric and a semi-structured focus group. Pre–post differences were analysed using paired-samples t-tests, and effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d.
Results. Control Dribble Test performance improved from 25.51 ± 2.84 s to 21.76 ± 2.37 s, with a mean difference of −3.75 s (95% CI: −4.52 to −2.98; t(17) = −10.28; p < .001; d = 2.42). Speed Spot Shooting Test scores increased from 4.78 ± 1.21 to 6.56 ± 1.18 successful shots, with a mean difference of 1.78 shots (95% CI: 1.27–2.29; t(17) = 8.00; p < .001; d = 1.89). Qualitative analysis indicated improvements in movement control, technical awareness, perceived self-efficacy, motivation, error management, and peer collaboration.
Conclusions. The eight-week basketball programme was associated with substantial improvements in dribbling and shooting performance in upper secondary school students. Positive changes were also observed in students’ awareness of movement execution and engagement in the learning process. Given the small sample size and the absence of a control group, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Gianluca Gravino, Emma Saraiello, Francesca Latino, Federica Badii Esposito, Maria Giovanna Tafuri
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