Evaluating the operational efficiency of NBA teams on franchise value: An assessment of data envelopment analysis.

The main purpose of this research is to empirically analyze the determinants of organizational performance using National Basketball Association (NBA) team data. Based on the resource-based theory of the firm, prior studies posit that operational efficiency encompasses the ability of professional sports teams to translate their resources into creating organizational performance. The contention is that NBA teams enhance organizational performance in the market when possessing valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable resources and capabilities. In this sense, the operational efficiencies of NBA teams align with the concept of core competence, enabling teams to achieve competitive advantages through superior performance. The exploration of the level of operating efficiency in NBA teams and its role in organizational performance is beyond essential. This study conceptualizes operating efficiency as the degree of competence exhibited by professional sports teams, drawing on comprehensive game-related statistics and financial performance data derived from human assets and team budgets. To bridge theory and empirical investigation, data spanning six seasons (2015-2016 to 2020-2021) for all 30 NBA teams were collected. The results reveal that 29 out of 180 decision-making units exhibit outstanding organizational efficiency, significantly contributing to franchise value.

Postural stability assessment in expert versus amateur basketball players during optic flow stimulation.

We evaluated the role of visual stimulation on postural muscles and the changes in the center of pressure (CoP) during standing posture in expert and amateur basketball players. Participants were instructed to look at a fixation point presented on a screen during foveal, peripheral, and full field optic flow stimuli. Postural mechanisms and motor strategies were assessed by simultaneous recordings of stabilometric, oculomotor, and electromyographic data during visual stimulation. We found significant differences between experts and amateurs in the orientation of visual attention. Experts oriented attention to the right of their visual field, while amateurs to the bottom-right. The displacement in the CoP mediolateral direction showed that experts had a greater postural sway of the right leg, while amateurs on the left leg. The entropy-based data analysis of the CoP mediolateral direction exhibited a greater value in amateurs than in experts. The root-mean-square and the coactivation index analysis showed that experts activated mainly the right leg while amateurs the left leg. In conclusion, playing sports for years seems to have induced some strong differences in the standing posture between the right and left sides. Even during non-ecological visual stimulation, athletes maintain postural adaptations to counteract the body oscillation.

Establishing Phase Definitions for Jump and Drop Landings and an Exploratory Assessment of Performance-Related Metrics to Monitor During Testing.

ABSTRACT: Harry, JR, Simms, A, and Hite, M. Establishing phase definitions for jump and drop landings and an exploratory assessment of performance-related metrics to monitor during testing. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): e62-e71, 2024-Landing is a common task performed in research, physical training, and competitive sporting scenarios. However, few have attempted to explore landing mechanics beyond its hypothesized link to injury potential, which ignores the key performance qualities that contribute to performance, or how quickly a landing can be completed. This is because a lack of (a) established landing phases from which important performance and injury risk metrics can be extracted and (b) metrics known to have a correlation with performance. As such, this article had 2 purposes. The first purpose was to use force platform data to identify easily extractable and understandable landing phases that contain metrics linked to both task performance and overuse injury potential. The second purpose was to explore performance-related metrics to monitor during testing. Both purposes were pursued using force platform data for the landing portion of 270 jump-landing trials performed by a sample of 14 NCAA Division 1 men's basketball players (1.98 ± 0.07 m; 94.73 ± 8.01 kg). The proposed phases can separate both jump-landing and drop-landing tasks into loading, attenuation, and control phases that consider the way vertical ground reaction force (GRF) is purposefully manipulated by the athlete, which current phase definitions fail to consider. For the second purpose, Pearson's correlation coefficients, the corresponding statistical probabilities ( α = 0.05), and a standardized strength interpretation scale for correlation coefficients (0 < trivial ≤ 0.1 < small ≤ 0.3 < moderate ≤ 0.5 < large ≤ 0.7 < very large) were used for both the group average (i.e., all individual averages pooled together) and individual data (i.e., each individual's trials pooled together). Results revealed that landing time, attenuation phase time, average vertical GRF during landing, average vertical GRF during the attenuation phase, average vertical GRF during the control phase, vertical GRF attenuation rate, and the amortization GRF (i.e., GRF at zero velocity) significantly correlated with landing performance, defined as the ratio of landing height and landing time ( R ≥ ± 0.58; p < 0.05), such that favorable changes in those metrics were associated with better performance. This work provides practitioners with 2 abilities. First, practitioners currently assess jump capacity using jump-landing tests (e.g., countermovement jump) with an analysis strategy that makes use of landing data. Second, this work provides preliminary data to guide others when initially exploring landing test results before identifying metrics chosen for their own analysis.

Practice reduces the costs of producing head fakes in basketball.

Previous research indicates that performing passes with a head fake in basketball leads to increased response initiation times and errors as compared to performing a pass without a head fake. These so-called fake production costs only occurred when not given the time to mentally prepare the deceptive movement. In the current study, we investigated if extensive practice could reduce the cognitive costs of producing a pass with head fake. Twenty-four basketball novices participated in an experiment on five consecutive days. A visual cue prompted participants to play a pass with or without a head fake either to the left or right side. The cued action had to be executed after an interstimulus interval (ISI) of either 0 ms, 400 ms, 800 ms or 1200 ms, allowing for different movement preparation times. Results indicated higher response initiation times (ITs) and error rates (ERs) for passes with head fakes for the short preparation intervals (ISI 0 ms and 400 ms) on the first day but no difference for the longer preparation intervals (ISI 800 ms and 1200 ms). After only one day of practice, participants showed reduced fake production costs (for ISI 0 ms) and were even able to eliminate these cognitive costs when given time to mentally prepare the movement (for ISI 400 ms). Accordingly, physical practice can reduce the cognitive costs associated with head-fake generation. This finding is discussed against the background of the strengthening of stimulus response associations.

A video images-aware knowledge extraction method for intelligent healthcare management of basketball players.

Currently, the health management for athletes has been a significant research issue in academia. Some data-driven methods have emerged in recent years for this purpose. However, numerical data cannot reflect comprehensive process status in many scenes, especially in some highly dynamic sports like basketball. To deal with such a challenge, this paper proposes a video images-aware knowledge extraction model for intelligent healthcare management of basketball players. Raw video image samples from basketball videos are first acquired for this study. They are processed using adaptive median filter to reduce noise and discrete wavelet transform to boost contrast. The preprocessed video images are separated into multiple subgroups by using a U-Net-based convolutional neural network, and basketball players' motion trajectories may be derived from segmented images. On this basis, the fuzzy KC-means clustering technique is adopted to cluster all segmented action images into several different classes, in which images inside a classes are similar and images belonging to different classes are different. The simulation results show that shooting routes of basketball players can be properly captured and characterized close to 100% accuracy using the proposed method.

Assessment of Dust, Chemical, Microbiological Pollutions and Microclimatic Parameters of Indoor Air in Sports Facilities.

The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of indoor air in sport facilities in one of the sport centres in Poland with respect to microclimatic parameters (temperature, humidity, and air flow velocity), particulate matter concentrations (PM10, PM4, PM2.5, and PM1), gas concentrations (oxygen, ozone, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and benzopyrene), and microbial contamination (the total number of bacteria, specifically staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus, haemolytic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, actinomycetes, and the total number of fungi and xerophilic fungi). Measurements were made three times in May 2022 at 28 sampling points in 5 different sporting areas (the climbing wall, swimming pool, swimming pool changing room, and basketball and badminton courts) depending on the time of day (morning or afternoon) and on the outside building. The obtained results were compared with the standards for air quality in sports facilities. The air temperature (21−31 °C) was at the upper limit of thermal comfort, while the air humidity (RH < 40%) in the sports halls in most of the locations was below demanded values. The values for dust pollution in all rooms, except the swimming pool, exceeded the permissible limits, especially in the afternoons. Climatic conditions correlated with a high concentration of dust in the indoor air. Particulate matter concentrations of all fractions exceeded the WHO guidelines in all researched premises; the largest exceedances of standards occurred for PM2.5 (five-fold) and for PM10 (two-fold). There were no exceedances of gaseous pollutant concentrations in the air, except for benzopyrene, which resulted from the influence of the outside air. The total number of bacteria (5.1 × 101−2.0 × 104 CFU m−3) and fungi (3.0 × 101−3.75 × 102 CFU m−3) was exceeded in the changing room and the climbing wall hall. An increased number of staphylococci in the afternoon was associated with a large number of people training. The increased concentration of xerophilic fungi in the air correlated with the high dust content and low air humidity. Along with the increase in the number of users in the afternoon and their activities, the concentration of dust (several times) and microorganisms (1−2 log) in the air increased by several times and 1−2 log, respectively. The present study indicates which air quality parameters should be monitored and provides guidelines on how to increase the comfort of those who practice sports and work in sports facilities.

Producing deceptive actions in sports: The costs of generating head fakes in basketball.

Typically, head fakes in basketball are generated to, and actually do, deteriorate performance on the side of the observer. However, potential costs at the side of the producer of a fake action have only rarely been investigated before. It is thus not clear yet if the benefit (i.e., slowed reactions in the observer) of performing a head fake is overestimated due to concurrently arising fake production costs (i.e., slowed performance in the producer of a head fake). Therefore, we studied potential head-fake production costs with two experiments. Novice participants were asked to generate passes to the left or right side, either with or without head fakes. In Experiment 1, these actions were determined by an auditory stimulus (i.e., a 440 Hz or 1200 Hz sinus or jigsaw wave). After an interstimulus interval (ISI) of either 0 ms, 800 ms, or 1500 ms, which served the preparation of the action, the cued action had to be executed. In Experiment 2, passing to the left or right, either with or without a head fake, was determined by a visual stimulus (i.e., a player with a red or blue jersey defending either the right or left side). After an ISI of either 0 ms, 400 ms, 800 ms, or 1200 ms, the cued action had to be executed. In both experiments, we observed higher reaction times (RTs) for passes with head fakes as compared to passes without head fakes for no and an intermediate preparation interval (from ISI 0 ms to 800 ms), but no difference for a long preparation interval (for an ISI of 1200 ms and 1500 ms). Both experiments show that generating fake actions produces performance costs, however, these costs can be overcome by a longer preparation phase before movement execution.

Analysis on the Development and Influence of National Fitness Environment on Youth Basketball Coordination and Mental Health.

In order to improve the basketball theory and provide theoretical and intellectual support for the scientific, mental health, and sustainable development of basketball, we propose to take the development dynamic mechanism of juvenile basketball as the research object and make a systematic and in-depth study on the dynamic mechanism, the cultivation of Chinese and foreign juvenile basketball reserve talents, and the dynamic dilemma and influencing factors of juvenile campus basketball development by using the methods of literature, questionnaire, and expert interview. A method of cultivating the ring tone of juvenile basketball is proposed. This method is based on Chan algorithm. When the target is close to each base station, the first estimation also needs an initial value to solve the initial solution estimation matrix. The method is also based on multivariate Taylor algorithm, taking into account the measured distance between the targets to be measured, so it will get some useful information, which will improve the positioning accuracy. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the algorithm used in this paper is more than 85%. However, the accuracy of rebounding and passing recognition and prediction is low. The recognition accuracy and prediction accuracy of the test set are slightly lower than that of the effective set, which shows that the performance of the target detection system model in this paper can be further improved through more significant training examples. It is proved that the algorithm based on Taylor ring can meet the needs of teenagers in the basketball coordination and mental health.

Design and Research of VR Basketball Teaching System Based on Embedded Intelligent Sensor.

Physical education pedagogy serves as a carrier of physical education theory and practical activities and plays an important role in physical education. The reform and development of education are always related closely to the growth of scientific and technological development, and people's physical education training methods are also undergoing subtle changes. The traditional single and formulaic training methods in the past have gradually turned to modern training methods with better interaction and visibility. All of this prompts people to have new requirements on sports training concepts and training modes. On this basis, teachers can conduct virtual teaching in a more interactive, more involved, and orderly manner in the virtual classroom. This paper constructs the implementation framework of VR basketball teaching auxiliary training, divides students into an experimental group and a control group and tests the physical fitness of students before and after the experiment. The students' basic basketball skills were tested by using embedded intelligent sensors to recognize the students' movements. The experimental results showed that after the test, the four basic basketball skills scores of the students in the experimental group were 68.78, 74.02, 73.13, and 72.34, respectively. The virtual reality basketball teaching system designed in this paper can effectively improve the basketball level of students.

Application of the Motor Abilities Assessment as Part of a Talent Identification System in Tennis Players: A Pilot Study.

In this study, we sought to develop a testing system to scientifically identify tennis talent. This testing system will provide helpful information for players who intend to pursue a professional tennis career. The experimental subjects were 18 college students consisting of 10 tennis players (including 4 soft tennis) and 8 basketball players (all males). The subjects were tested on their vertical jump, 60 m shuttle runs, and shoulder joint mobility to identify tennis talent. To statistically analyze the data, an R package was used to conduct a principal component analysis of the athletic performance indicators of the samples, and the samples were further classified via agglomerative hierarchical clustering. This study found that tennis players required more flexibility than basketball players. Regarding the differences between male and female soft tennis players, the unclassified results showed that there was a significant difference in explosive power. However, there was no significant difference in flexibility between genders. The research methods and results of this study can be used as a reference for others to build a system for identifying athletic performance characteristics in the future, and it is expected that the implementation of this system can provide sports coaches with more information for talent selection and improve the accuracy of their judgments, allowing athletes to play to their strengths.

Variability of Competition-Based Caloric Expenditure and Relative Heart Rates in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball.

ABSTRACT: Sanders, GJ, Boos, B, Rhodes, J, Peacock, CA, Kollock, RO, and Scheadler, CM. Variability of competition-based caloric expenditure and relative heart rates in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 162-166, 2022-Basketball athletes frequently engage in high intensities (≥85% HRpeak) throughout competition, and it is unknown how high-intensity play coincides with caloric expenditure and average and peak relative heart rates. The purpose of the study was to assess caloric expenditure throughout 31 games (4- to 10-minute quarters) in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball. A total of 11 female athletes were tested for peak heart rate (HRpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak) before the season, then monitored in-season with heart rate-based wearable devices. Estimated caloric expenditure, average (% HRavg) and peak (% HRpeak) relative heart rates, time played at intensities ≥85% HRpeak, and live time (i.e., game minutes not including stoppages in play) were recorded each game. Data were assessed as a team and compared across 4 quarters, and then, interathlete comparisons were made based on full game data. There were significant main effects of 10-minute quarters on calories (p < 0.001) and % HRavg (p = 0.015) but not playing intensity ≥85% HRpeak (p = 0.125) and % HRpeak (p = 0.629). Caloric expenditure was the only variable to increase from the first to the fourth quarter. There were main effects of individual athletes on calories, % HRavg, % HRpeak, live time, and playing intensity ≥85% HRpeak (p < 0.001 for all). Assessing individual athletes, relative to a team assessment across quarters, can provide practitioners with more accurate caloric expenditure, heart rate, and playing intensity data per athlete to improve training and fueling protocols.

Assessment of the Multi-Location External Workload Profile in the Most Common Movements in Basketball.

The present study analyzed the multi-location external workload profile in basketball players using a previously validated test battery and compared the demands among anatomical locations. A basketball team comprising 13 semi-professional male players was evaluated in five tests (abilities/skills/tests): (a) aerobic, linear movement, 30-15 IFT; (b) lactic anaerobic, acceleration and deceleration, 16.25 m RSA (c) alactic anaerobic, curvilinear movement, 6.75 m arc (d) elastic, jump, Abalakov test (e) physical-conditioning, small-sided game, 10' 3 vs.3 10 × 15 m. PlayerLoadRT was evaluated at six anatomical locations simultaneously (interscapular line, lumbar region, knees and ankles) by six WIMU PROTM inertial devices attached to the player using an ad hoc integral suit. Statistical analysis was composed of an ANOVA of repeated measures and partial eta squared effect sizes. Significant differences among anatomical locations were found in all tests with higher values in the location nearer to ground contact (p < 0.01). However, differences between lower limb locations were only found in curvilinear movements, with a higher workload in the outside leg (p < 0.01). Additionally, high between-subject variability was found in team players, especially at lower limb locations. In conclusion, multi-location evaluation in sports movements will make it possible to establish an individual external workload profile and design specific strategies for training and injury prevention programs.

Decision-Making Skills in Youth Basketball Players: Diagnostic and External Validation of a Video-Based Assessment.

Decision-making is a central skill of basketball players intending to excel individually and contribute to their teams' success. The assessment of such skills is particularly challenging in complex team sports. To address this challenge, this study aimed to conceptualize a reliable and valid video-based decision-making assessment in youth basketball. The study sample comprised youth basketball players of the German U16 national team (n = 17; MAge = 16.01 ± 0.25 years) and students of a sports class (n = 17; MAge = 15.73 ± 0.35 years). Diagnostic validity was tested by determination of the performance levels according to response accuracy as well as response time in the assessment. External validity was examined by investigation of the correlation between the diagnostic results of the elite athletes and their real game performance data associated with passing skills. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the diagnostic results discriminate between performance levels (χ2(2) = 20.39, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.60). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between the diagnostic results and assists (F(2,10) = 4.82, p < 0.05; R2 = 0.49) as well as turnovers per game (F(2,10) = 5.23, p < 0.05; R2 = 0.51). However, no relationship was detected regarding the assist-turnover ratio. Further, response time discriminated within the elite athletes' performance data but not between performance levels while for response accuracy the opposite is the case. The results confirm the diagnostic and external validity of the assessment and indicate its applicability to investigate decision-making skills in youth basketball.

Heads Up Play: Acute Assessment and Management of Basketball-Related Craniofacial Injuries by On-Court Personnel.

INTRODUCTION: With a following of over 825 million people, basketball currently ranks amongst the world's most popular sports. Despite a number of concussion awareness and player safety protocols that have been implemented at the professional level of organized play, a standardized, layperson-friendly algorithm for the acute management of basketball-related craniofacial injuries does not appear to presently exist. METHODS: This 10-year retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database to examine basketball-related craniofacial injuries from 2010 to 2019. Within the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System dataset, factors including patient age, gender, diagnosis, injury type, and injury location were included in our analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 22,529 basketball-related craniofacial injuries occurred between 2010 and 2019 in players ages 5 to 49 years old. Adolescent (12-18-year-old) and young adult (19-34-year-old) age groups had the highest incidence of craniofacial injuries. The adolescent cohort experienced a significantly greater proportion of concussions and lower proportion of both facial lacerations and fractures compared with the within group null hypothesis of equal proportions (P < 0.05). The young adult cohort experienced a significantly greater proportion of facial lacerations and fractures and lower proportion of concussions, contusions/abrasions, hematomas, and internal injuries compared to this cohort's null hypothesis (P < 0.05). Males experienced a significantly greater proportion of fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries and lower proportion of concussions, contusions/abrasions, and internal injuries compared to the hypothesized equality of proportions (P < 0.05). Females experienced a significantly greater proportion of concussions, contusions/abrasions, and internal injuries and lower proportion of fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries compared to the hypothesized equality of proportions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although several steps have already been taken at the professional level to try to promote player safety, particularly with concussion protocols and prevention of lower extremity injuries, there remains a paucity of resources to guide management of other types of acute craniofacial injury. The role of layperson-friendly educational interventions remains intriguing as a potential means of improving outcomes regardless of socioeconomic status or health literacy. Additional studies still need to be completed to determine efficacy and best future direction.

Changes in Energy Expenditure, Dietary Intake, and Energy Availability Across an Entire Collegiate Women's Basketball Season.

ABSTRACT: Zanders, BR, Currier, BS, Harty, PS, Zabriskie, HA, Smith, CR, Stecker, RA, Richmond, SR, Jagim, AR, and Kerksick, CM. Changes in energy expenditure, dietary intake, and energy availability across an entire collegiate women's basketball season. J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 804-810, 2021-The purpose of this study was to identify changes in energy expenditure and dietary intake across an entire women's basketball season. On 5 different occasions across the competitive season, female collegiate basketball players (19.8 ± 1.3 years, 173.9 ± 13.6 cm, 74.6 ± 9.1 kg, 27.1 ± 3.2% fat, 53.9 ± 6.4 ml·kg-1·min-1, n = 13) were outfitted with heart rate and activity monitors over 4 consecutive days and completed 4-day food and fluid records to assess changes in energy expenditure and dietary status. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess baseline body composition and resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured before and after the season. Data were analyzed using 1-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE, p = 0.059) and physical activity levels (TDEE/REE, p = 0.060) both tended to decrease throughout the season. Energy balance was negative at all time points throughout the season. Absolute and normalized daily protein intake at the end of the season was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than at the beginning of the season. Carbohydrate (3.7 ± 0.4 g·kg-1·d-1) and protein (1.17 ± 0.16 g·kg-1·d-1) intakes were lower than commonly recommended values based on previously published guidelines. These findings suggest that greater education and interventions for collegiate athletes and coaches regarding dietary intake and energy expenditure are warranted.

Longitudinal Hydration Assessment in Collegiate Basketball Players Over Various Training Phases.

ABSTRACT: Heishman, AD, Daub, BD, Miller, RM, Freitas, EDS, and Bemben, MG. Longitudinal hydration assessment in collegiate basketball players over various training phases. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 1089-1094, 2021-To the best of our knowledge, previous literature has not longitudinally examined hydration status in collegiate basketball players. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the prepractice hydration status of collegiate basketball players across various training phases for 2 consecutive years. Retrospective analyses examined prepractice urine-specific gravity (USG) assessments obtained from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I male basketball players during the preseason and competitive season, for 2 consecutive years. The first year (year 1 = Y1) of analysis consisted of 15 athletes and the second year (year 2 = Y2) consisted of 16 athletes, with 8 athletes in both seasons. Hydration status was classified based on the National Athletic Trainers' criteria: (a) euhydrated, USG < 1.020; (b) hypohydrated, USG = 1.020-1.030; and (c) significantly hypohydrated, USG > 1.030. Additional comparisons examined the association of minutes played with hydration status and changes in hydration status for athletes returning from Y1 to Y2. The results indicated 55-65.7% of cases showed levels of significant hypohydration during the preseason and competitive seasons for both years. Preseason hydration status was significantly better than the competitive season (Y1, p = 0.008; Y2, p = 0.005). Despite significant differences in minutes played (p < 0.001), no differences in hydration status were observed. Returning athletes displayed no differences in hydration status between Y1 and Y2. Collegiate basketball players show levels of hypohydration when longitudinally examined across various training phases. Although hydration may be improved in the preseason, alternative factors such as average game minutes played and length in program may not influence hydration status.

Gender disparity among NBA and WNBA team physicians.

BACKGROUND: Female physicians are underrepresented across a broad range of medical specialties, especially at senior levels. Previous research demonstrated poor representation of women in sports medicine leadership roles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) compared to their male colleagues. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of men and women among team physicians on the medical staffs of National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) teams in the last 10 years and assess regional differences in representation of female physicians. METHODS: A Google search of publicly available data regarding team physician gender, medical specialty, and medical degree was conducted in October 2019 for team physicians in the NBA and WNBA over the last 10 years. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. This data was then stratified by physician specialty and region of country in which NBA/WNBA franchises are located to provide regional comparison of team physician characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 125 team physicians for NBA franchises. Of these, 122 (97.6%) were male and 3 (2.4%) were female. In the WNBA, a total of 28 physicians were identified. 20 (71.4%) were male and 8 (28.6%) were female. The Northeast had the highest proportion of female team physicians, with 5 of 18 (27.8%). Female physicians were represented in the remaining geographic regions as follows: 3 of 41 (7.3%) in the Midwest, 2 of 45 (4.4%) in the South, and 1 of 48 (2.1%) in the West. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a substantial difference in the number of female physicians with leadership roles in both the NBA and WNBA compared to male physicians. It is important to try to understand what barriers female physicians face in their pursuit of upper level positions in sports medicine and to implement strategies to provide equal opportunities to both male and female physicians.

Funding and performance of amateur and youth organizations in Brazil: a longitudinal analysis of a basketball league

Abstract Aim: The general aim was to analyze the profile of the teams participating in a basketball regional competition over 8 years (2012-2019). Specifically, we aimed to a) analyze the variation in the number of an organization participating, b) identify the variation in the type of funding, c) verify the existence of a relationship between the performance and the longevity of the organization, d) verify the existence of a relationship between the performance and the type of funding. Methods: The research was designed as an exploratory case study. A total of 86 organizations took part in the league during the period, with 767 different teams playing competitions between U-11 and senior. Results: Instability is the main characteristic of the league. The organizations competing are constantly changing the type of funding and unable to stay in the league for long periods. The research also showed that there is a relation between a stable source of funding and performance. Conclusion: Instability is the main problem in Brazilian youth and amateur basketball organizations. This study presents useful information for managers better understand the problems and difficulties of basketball in Brazil.