Purpose To improve basketball players` athletic performance, effective and optimal training programs are needed. The study aim was to compare the effects of 6 weeks of plyometric training (PT) to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on youth female basketball player`s athletic performance. Methods The athletes were randomly divided into PT (n = 8), HIIT (n = 8), and control (n = 8) group. The two experimental groups participated separately in a PT and HIIT program during 6 weeks and 2 sessions of 30-60 min per week. Before and after the intervention the athletes were assessed for 20-m sprint (s), jump-specific power (W), medicine ball throw for distance (m), change of direction sprint ability (s), basketball-specific anaerobic power (W), basketball-specific performance (s), basketball dribble sprint skill (s), basketball pass skill (points), and basketball shot skill (points). Results The between-group analyses revealed similar improvements in dependent variables between PT and HIIT groups. However, the PT and HIIT groups had greater (p = 0.001-0.009, pn2 = 0.372-0.555) improvements compared to the control group for 20-m sprint, jump-specific power, basketball-specific performance, basketball dribble sprint skill with right hand, and basketball dribble sprint skill with left hand, and near-significant (p = 0.054-0.060, pn2 = 0.246-0.254) for the outcomes basketball-specific anaerobic power, medicine ball throw for distance, and basketball shot skill. Conclusion Compared to regular basketball training, both PT and HIIT improved youth female basketball player`s athletic performance.
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