ELITE BASKETBALL GAME EXTERNAL LOAD VARIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT TEAMS AND COMPETITION

Authors

  • Filip Ujaković University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia; Basketball Club Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Hugo Salazar University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Physical Activity and Sport Department, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Basketball club Baskonia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
  • Jernej Pleša Basketball Club Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
  • Luka Svilar Laureus Performance, Zagreb, Croatia

Keywords:

team sport, workload, inertial technology, physical load management

Abstract

Understanding the external load demands of basketball games is fundamental information for training planning and programming. However, there is a scarcity of information about external load during official games at high-level basketball. The purpose of this research was to investigate basketball game external load differences between two elite basketball teams involved in separate competitions. External load demands experienced by forty-six elite basketball players (from two teams) were analyzed using inertial devices during official basketball games. External load was expressed with calculated (PlayerLoad, PL, averaged and in different time epochs) and inertial movement analysis variables (acceleration, deceleration, change of direction and jump). The results showed that the Euroleague team had a higher peak PL in epochs of 30-s (p<.001) and 60-s (p=.02) with moderate and small effect sizes compared to the Eurocup team. The Eurocup team had a significantly higher number of low and moderate accelerations and changes of direction with effect sizes from 0.34 to 1.15. In conclusion, external load demands in basketball vary depending on the team and league therefore practitioners should consider the specific level and style of play when comprising a training plan. Furthermore, practitioners should rely on their own team’s external load values for training load management, rather than attempting to adhere to standards established by external sources.

Keywords: team sport, workload, inertial technology, physical load management

Author Biographies

Hugo Salazar, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Physical Activity and Sport Department, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Basketball club Baskonia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Head of Performance departament

Jernej Pleša, Basketball Club Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia

Sport Scientist, Department of Performance, Medicine & Science

Luka Svilar, Laureus Performance, Zagreb, Croatia

Independent Reseasrcher

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Published

2024-07-04

How to Cite

Ujaković, F., Salazar, H. ., Pleša, J., & Svilar, L. (2024). ELITE BASKETBALL GAME EXTERNAL LOAD VARIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT TEAMS AND COMPETITION. Kinesiology, 56(1), 145–152. Retrieved from https://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/kinesiology/article/view/28111

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Articles

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