Seasonal Variations in Game Activity Profiles and Players' Neuromuscular Performance in Collegiate Division I Basketball: Non-conference vs. Conference Tournament

Abstract

Basketball has a high demand on a player's neuromuscular system due to a high volume of explosive high-intensity actions. This study aimed to examine the seasonal variations on game demands and players' neuromuscular performance during the Non-Conference (NON-CONF) and Conference (CONF) seasons in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball. Seven NCAA Division I Basketball players' (20 ± 1.2 years, 1.95 ± 0.1 m, and 94 ± 15 kg) match activity profiles were tracked in 17 home games (7 NON-CONF; 10 CONF); furthermore, players performed a repeat hop test on a force platform the day before competition to assess neuromuscular performance. A t-test for paired samples was used to analyze the differences between NON-CONF and CONF. Results indicated no significant differences in Total Distance, Peak Speed, Acceleration, and Deceleration loads when comparing NON-CONF and CONF match-play. Regarding neuromuscular performance, Jump Height (p = 0.03; ES = 0.43) was negatively affected during CONF. Moreover, a trend toward a decline in Peak Force (p = 0.06; ES = 0.38) was found in CONF. Conversely, no differences were obtained regarding Reactive Strength Index and Contact Time. In conclusion, match-play demands remained constant across the season whilst neuromuscular outputs were inhibited during the CONF season.

A Systematic Review on Fitness Testing in Adult Male Basketball Players: Tests Adopted, Characteristics Reported and Recommendations for Practice

“…The included physical characteristics were chosen given their importance during basketball match-play [7,9,10,20,[43][44][45]. The three most frequently used tests for each physical characteristic were selected to represent that characteristic.…”

Longitudinal monitoring of workloads in women's division I (DI) collegiate basketball across four training periods

“…Interestingly, the primary purpose of the study by Peterson and Quiggle ( 26 ), was to examine the neuromuscular response to training loads-not to examine training load variations across a year. Petway et al ( 27 ) have called for the need to examine how different workload metrics vary throughout a season. Therefore, given the lack of longitudinal research on seasonal workload variations in women's basketball, the purpose of the present study was to quantify the external load of practices and games during a Power-5 DI Women's Collegiate Basketball season, while specifically examining the fluctuations and differences in loads between and within four key periods: 8-hour preseason, 20-hour preseason, Non-Conference, and Conference play.…”

Match Day-1 Reactive Strength Index and In-Game Peak Speed in Collegiate Division I Basketball

“…The technical and tactical aspects of the game put a high demand on the neuromuscular system relative to the sporting activity [ 3 ]. Therefore, the process of monitoring changes in these qualities for each individual player becomes paramount during the season (in view of the various stressors encountered by the players) [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], as it allows for evaluating longitudinal fluctuations over time [ 7 ] and provides insight on speed- and power-related performances.…”