The aim of the present study was to compare external loads (EL) between elite, junior, male and female basketball players. Male (n = 25) and female players (n = 48) were monitored during 11 competitive matches (3 matches per team). EL was measured using local positioning system and microsensor technology to determine total, high-intensity (14–21 km·h−1), and sprint (>21 km·h−1) distance (m) covered, total (n) and relative (n·min−1) accelerations and decelerations, ratio of accelerations:decelerations, and total (arbitrary units [AU]) and relative (AU·min−1) player load. EL was compared between sexes overall and according to each playing position (guards, forwards, and centers). Males covered larger (p < 0.05) high-intensity and sprint distances, and completed more (p < 0.05) decelerations than females; while female players experienced a greater (p < 0.05) ratio of accelerations:decelerations. Greater decelerations (p < 0.05) were observed for males in the guard position compared to females, while more (p < 0.05) accelerations·min−1 were apparent for females in the forward position compared to males. The current findings indicate differences in EL, particularly the high-intensity and acceleratory demands, exist between elite, junior, male and female basketball players during competition and are affected by playing position. These outcomes can be used in developing sex- and position-specific training plans, and in turn improving the physical preparedness of junior basketball players for competition demands at the elite level.
The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between External Load (EL) and internal load (IL). Thirteen male basketball players competing at professional level in First Spanish Division (ACB) during six friendly games throughout the 2020/2021 preseason were monitored. The EL variables collected were movement load (ML), movement intensity (MI), box score time (BST), and total duration (TD)] while IL variables monitored were heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), training impulse (TRIMP) and time invested in five HR zones. Very large to almost perfect correlation (r= 0.77-0.91) exists between EL variables except TD. In addition, HR, TRIMP and RR present large to very large correlation (r= 0.55-0.79) with all EL variables except TD. Monitoring HR-based variables would present general information and an estimated prediction of players EL which could allow basketball practitioners to prioritize time invested players internal/external load.
The main aim of this study was identifying the internal demands during competition including the impact of analysis method (i.e., average vs. peak demands). A secondary aim was to analyze the effects of playing time on the internal demands (average and peak). Methods: Twenty-two professional basketball players were mo- nitored during 11 games. The following internal workload variables were recorded as averages (i.e., value per minute considering the entire game) and peak values (i.e., greatest 1-minute window): 1) average Heart Rate (HR), peak HR, average Respiration Rate (RR), peak RR, average Ventilation (VE), peak VE, average VO2 and peak VO2. Results: Significantly higher peak values (very large effect size) for all internal variables were evident when compared to their average demand. Concerning playing time comparison, significantly greater average values were reached for large playing time group (24.54 ± 3.23 min) for all variables compared to small playing time group (14.13 ± 3.78 min). However, non-significant differences were apparent between large playing time and small playing time group at their internal PD. Conclusions: Understanding internal load demands using averages values drastically underestimates the internal peak values of games. Thus, 14 minutes of total playing time (1.5 quarters; ~37% of a game) is enough to expose to the players to internal peak demands.
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