###### Abstract  
The aim of this study was to investigate associations and differences between dynamic strength index (DSI) and multi-directional jumping, linear and curvilinear sprinting, and change of direction (CoD). Highly trained basketball players (\(n=44\)) performed a 20 m linear sprint, 20 m 3-point line (curvilinear) sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), bilateral horizontal jump, unilateral horizontal jump, lateral jump, basketball-specific lateral jump and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). The results showed weak to moderate associations between IMTP performance and horizontal jump, lateral jump and curvilinear sprint (\(r=-0.33\)-\(0.41\); \(p<0.05\)). No correlations were found between CMJ peak force and performance variables, while weak correlations were observed between DSI and unilateral horizontal jump (\(r=-0.36\); \(p<0.05\)), lateral jumps, linear sprint and CoD deficit (\(r=-0.37\), \(-0.38\); \(p<0.05\)), showing that lower magnitude of DSI is associated with better performance in those tests. Additional analysis revealed that the low DSI subgroup had the highest IMTP peak force, while the high DSI subgroup had the highest CMJ peak force. The low DSI group showed better performance in vertical, horizontal and lateral jumps, while no significant differences were observed in DJ and curvilinear sprint performance compared to other groups. The findings indicate that athletes with lower DSI values exhibit superior physical performance, suggesting that a strength-oriented training approach may be beneficial for basketball players. Due to the ballistic nature of basketball, more maximal strength training is required to optimize the DSI ratio in basketball players. Additional studies are needed to determine the precise benchmarks for navigating training based on DSI values. s +
Footnote †: journal: Applied sciences  
article  
[color=gray!2,color=gray!2,color=gray!competing at the higher level exhibit superior strength and power capabilities. Furthermore, higher-level players are also able to sustain high-intensity intermittent efforts for longer durations [3] and to perform these activities with greater intensities during competitive matches [4]. Therefore, evaluating sprint, jump and CoD ability is essential in basketball strength and conditioning, offering insights into athletes' strengths and weaknesses to tailor training programs [5]. Considering the significance of strength and power for basketball players [6; 7; 8], biomechanical testing provides detailed insights into neuromuscular capacity, enabling training optimization. A comprehensive evaluation of strength and power capacities may be achieved by assessing an athlete's performance across different loading conditions [9]. The magnitude of the difference in peak force between different conditions can reflect adaptations of the neuromuscular system to the training process. In this regard, the dynamic strength index (DSI) has been a popular topic of investigation in recent years as it has been recognized as a potentially useful tool to optimize training for improving an individual's physical performance [9; 10; 11; 12]. The DSI is determined by comparing the peak force generated during ballistic activities, such as vertical jumps, to the force produced in isometric or quasi-isometric tasks, like the isometric mid-high pull (IMTP) [13; 14; 15]. DSI reflects an athlete's dynamic force production capacity relative to their maximal force capacity. Although some baseline thresholds have been established [11; 13], the exact benchmarks that may correspond to the best physical performance are still not known. Previous studies have demonstrated that DSI varies across team sports, with basketball players displaying the highest DSI values among team sports, ranging from 0.71 to 1.12, with an average value of \(\sim\)0.90 [11; 16; 17].