Comparison of Adaptations in the Gastrocnemius Muscle from an Exercise Program with and without Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Banding in 18 Male Amateur Basketball Players Aged 16-45 Years.

BACKGROUND Basketball is a sport with a global impact and recognized major leagues, and is one of the most studied and analyzed sports for improvement at the level of the high-performance athlete. Increasing the jump height of basketball players is an essential factor for high athletic performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study aimed to identify the effect of low-intensity training with flow restriction versus the eccentric exercise protocol on amateur athletes. Eighteen amateur basketball players aged 16-45 years were divided into 2 groups: Group A consisted of 9 participants with low-intensity training with flow restriction (40% intensity) with 200 mmHg occlusion applying flow restriction bands in the popliteal area, while Group B consisted of 9 participants who performed an eccentric exercises protocol on the gastrocnemius. An anthropometric evaluation was applied, which consisted of perception of effort, range of movement (ROM), muscle strength intensity, and the power of the jump measured with a jump platform. RESULTS Notable changes were observed in favor of Group A for the right dorsiflexion, with mean difference (MD)=-2.444 (P=0.018); left dorsiflexion with MD=-2.778 (P=0.027) and left foot perimeter variable with MD=-0.667 (P=0.026) at 95% confidence interval (CI); while the vertical jump was in favor of Group B, with MD=-2.899 (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS Low-intensity training with flow restriction and eccentric exercise protocol were both effective in improving jumping performance. A significant improvement was shown in the jump height and ROM of the 2 study groups.

Influence of trajectory and contrast on dynamic visual acuity in elite team sports players.

Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is considered an essential component for studying the visual function, especially in challenging environments like team sports. Beyond frequent comparative studies, much information is still lacking about the mechanisms underlying DVA and possible differences in stimulus presentation. It is crucial to understand the performance of DVA under different conditions of contrast and trajectories to achieve more specific data and better ecological validity of measurements. Fifty-five top professional male Spanish athletes, including 23 soccer, 14 basketball, and 18 water polo players were selected. Static visual acuity (SVA) was evaluated at 5 m. DVA was determined at 2 m under combined conditions of velocity (52°/s), three trajectories (horizontal, diagonal 45° and 135°) and two contrasts (99.7% and 13%). Significant differences in most DVA conditions measurements show that the best scores correspond to horizontal, over diagonal trajectories, and high contrast. The correlation between SVA and DVA showed a different relationship depending on the contrast conditions. Professional soccer, basketball, and water polo players have similar characteristics with reference to all the DVA evaluated conditions.

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.

Context-specific adaptation for head fakes in basketball: a study on player-specific fake-frequency schedules.

In basketball, an attacking player often plays a pass to one side while looking to the other side. This head fake provokes a conflict in the observing opponent, as the processing of the head orientation interferes with the processing of the pass direction. Accordingly, responses to passes with head fakes are slower and result in more errors than responses to passes without head fakes (head-fake effect). The head-fake effect and structurally similar interference effects (e.g., Stroop effect) are modulated by the frequency of conflicting trials. Previous studies mostly applied a block-wise manipulation of proportion congruency. However, in basketball (and also in other team sports), where different individual opponents can be encountered, it might be important to take the individual frequency (e.g., 20% vs. 80%) of these opponents into account. Therefore, the present study investigates the possibility to quickly (i.e., on a trial-by-trial basis) reconfigure the response behavior to different proportions of incongruent trials, which are contingent on different basketball players. Results point out that participants indeed adapted to the fake-frequency of different basketball players, which could be the result of strategic adaptation processes. Multi-level analyses, however, indicate that a substantial portion of the player-specific adaptation to fake frequencies is accounted by episodic retrieval processes, suggesting that item-specific proportion congruency effects can be explained in terms of stimulus-response binding and retrieval: The head orientation (e.g., to the right) of a current stimulus retrieves the last episode with the same head orientation including the response that was part of this last episode. Thus, from a theoretical perspective, an attacking player would provoke the strongest detrimental effect on an opponent if s/he repeats the same head movement but changes the direction of the pass. Whether it is at all possible to strategically apply this recommendation in practice needs still to be answered.

An expertise reversal effect of imagination in learning from basketball tactics.

The imagination effect occurs when participants learn better from imagining procedures or concepts rather than from studying them. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of imagination and level of expertise on memorization of a tactical basketball system. Thirty-six expert and thirty-six novice learners were asked to imagine the functioning of a tactical scene in basketball (imagination condition) or simply study the scene (study condition). Results showed that novice learners benefited more from the study condition as they achieved better recall and recognition performances, invested less cognitive load (i.e., mental effort and perceived difficulty) and had higher levels of motivational aspects (i.e., self-efficacy and perceived competence). However, this effect was totally reversed for expert learners who, benefited more from the imagination condition, indicating therefore an expertise reversal effect. The results suggest that the effectiveness of the imagination technique depends on level of expertise of the learners.

Determination of change of direction deficit thresholds across a spectrum of angles in basketball players.

Change of direction deficit (CODD) offers valuable insights into a player's balance between linear and multidirectional speed. However, there are still no established reference values for CODD. The objectives of this study were to determine CODD thresholds for various change of direction angles in basketball players according to gender and analyse the relationships between CODD and execution time in speed tests. One hundred and thirty basketball players (46% female; age: 23.7 ± 5.29 years; height: 189.1 ± 11.1 cm; body mass: 84.3 ± 15.7 kg) undertook 10-m linear and change of direction speed test at 45º, 90º and 180º. A k-means cluster analysis was conducted to standardise CODD thresholds and a one-way analysis of variance to identify the differences between clusters. The results revealed angulation-specific CODD thresholds, ranging from 3% to 8%, 17% to 25% and 43% to 51% for 45º, 90º and 180º cutting angles, respectively for the pooled sample. Furthermore, differences inter-clusters (p < 0.05) were observed for execution time at all cutting angles for both genders. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches are encouraged to assess CODD as a highly valid variable for evaluating change of direction performance and to use current CODD thresholds to tailor training programmes according to each athlete's needs.

The role of perspective in refereeing: Insights from a video-based decision-making experiment.

Decision accuracy is a crucial factor in the evaluation of refereeing performance. In sports research, officials' decision-making is frequently assessed outside real games through video-based decision experiments, where they evaluate recorded game situations from a third-person perspective. This study examines whether the inclusion of the first-person perspective influences decision accuracy and certainty. Twenty-four professional officials from the first and second German basketball leagues participated in the study. The officials assessed 50 game situations from both first-person and third-person perspectives, indicating their decisions and certainty levels. The statistical analysis utilises signal detection theory to evaluate the efficacy of the first-person perspective compared to the third-person perspective in identifying rule violations and no-calls in video recordings. The findings indicate that the first-person perspective does not yield superior accuracy in identifying foul calls. However, scenes from the first-person perspective exhibit a significant 9% increase in correctly identifying no-calls. Furthermore, officials report significantly higher levels of decision certainty and comfort when using the first-person perspective. The study suggests that sports officials may benefit from incorporating additional scenes from the first-person perspective into video-based decision training. Future studies should explore whether this additional perspective improves the training effect and translates into enhanced in-game performance.

Do the feet of male and female netball players differ in shape? Implications for shoe design.

A large proportion of netball players suffer foot-related problems and pain and are dissatisfied with current netball-specific footwear. To improve the fit and functionality of netball-specific shoes, we must understand the shape of these players' feet and determine whether any sex differences exist. Five hundred and two representative-level netball players (n = 251 male; n = 251 female) had their feet three-dimensionally scanned. We then used a validated MATLAB code to automatically extract 10 measurements to characterise each participant's foot shape. Differences between men and women for the absolute values and those normalised to foot length and stature were identified using independent samples t-tests with a Bonferroni adjusted alpha level. The size and shape of male netball players' feet differed significantly from their female counterparts. Males had significantly larger absolute and normalised foot measurements than females, notably at the ball of the foot, heel and instep (p < 0.001). Netball shoe manufacturers should develop unique lasts for each sex and foot size and should offer a more extensive range of shoe lengths and widths to netball players. Such considerations will help optimise shoe fit and comfort and, in turn, reduce foot-related problems and pain associated with ill-fitting footwear.

Recovery in elite youth basketball players: The responsiveness of the psychophysiological measurements and the role of testosterone concentration.

This study investigated the recovery responses to the Total Quality Recovery (TQR), Well-Being questionnaire (WBQ), and Heart Rate (HR) responses to Submaximal Running Test (SRT), and the influence of salivary testosterone concentration (TEST) on these responses in 25 elite youth (U15) male basketball players. TQR, WBQ, and HR measurements were assessed after 48 hours of rest (T1), 24 hours after the 1st day of training (T2) and 24 hours after the 2nd day of training (T3). Salivary sampling was conducted at T1 and T3. A significant decrease was observed for TQR (F = 4.06; p = 0.01) and for WBQ (F = 5.37; p = 0.008) from T1 to T3. No difference among the three-time points was observed for HR and HR Recovery, and the TEST concentration did not influence the results. These results show that TQR and WBQ are sensitive to acute transient alterations in training loads (TL) and may be utilized to monitor recovery in elite youth basketball players. The HR related measurements presented limited responsiveness, and the TEST seems not to influence the recovery of these players who are competing at highest performance level.

Timing of Caffeine Ingestion Does Not Improve Three-Point Shooting Accuracy in College Basketball Players.

This study investigated the effects of the timing of caffeine (3 mg/kg body mass) ingestion on three-point shooting accuracy and other performance parameters during a basketball exercise simulation test (BEST). Eighteen college basketball players (mean ± SD: age = 24.4 ± 1.5 years, height = 181.7 ± 9.5 cm, body mass = 80.9 ± 13.2 kg) underwent one familiarization trial and three main conditions in a randomized order: (a) placebo (maltodextrin) and placebo, (b) caffeine and placebo, and (c) placebo and caffeine. Participants ingested either the placebo or caffeine pill 75 and 15 min before performing four quarters of the BEST and a three-point shooting protocol. During each quarter, participants completed 16 rounds of the BEST and ten three-point shots. Vertical jump height, 6 m sprint timing, BEST completion timing, three-point shooting accuracy, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, blood glucose, blood lactate, and psychological measures pertaining to performance were measured. The BEST completion timing differed among conditions (placebo and placebo = 26.4 ± 2.0 s, caffeine and placebo = 25.8 ± 2.0 s, placebo and caffeine = 25.9 ± 2.1 s; p = .031) but not three-point shooting accuracy (placebo and placebo = 12.33 ± 4.10; caffeine and placebo = 12.61 ± 2.81; placebo and caffeine = 11.67 ± 3.77; p = .648), vertical jump height, or sprint times. Manipulating ingestion timing of caffeine did not improve three-point shooting accuracy, vertical jump height, or 6 m sprint timings, but caffeine can improve performance times during simulated basketball exercise irrespective of ingestion timing.

Do Elite Basketball Players Maintain Peak External Demands throughout the Entire Game?

Consideration of workload intensity and peak demands across different periods of basketball games contributes to understanding the external physical requirements of elite basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the average intensity and peak demands encountered by players throughout game quarters. PlayerLoad per minute and PlayerLoad at three different time samples (30 s, 1 min, and 3 min) were used as workload metrics. A total of 14 professional elite male basketball players were monitored during 30 official games to investigate this. A linear mixed model and Cohen's d were employed to identify significant differences and quantify the effect sizes among game quarters. The results showed a significant, moderate effect in PlayerLoad per minute between Q1 vs. Q4, and a small effect between Q2 and Q3 vs. Q4. Furthermore, a small to moderate decline was observed in external peak values for PlayerLoad across game quarters. Specifically,, a significant decrease was found for the 3 min time window between Q1 and other quarters. The findings from the present study suggest that professional basketball players tend to experience fatigue or reduced physical output as the game progresses.

Effects of the Flying Start on Estimated Short Sprint Profiles Using Timing Gates.

Short sprints are predominantly assessed using timing gates and analyzed through parameters of the mono-exponential equation, including estimated maximal sprinting speed (MSS) and relative acceleration (TAU), derived maximum acceleration (MAC), and relative propulsive maximal power (PMAX), further referred to as the No Correction model. However, the frequently recommended flying start technique introduces a bias during parameter estimation. To correct this, two additional models (Estimated TC and Estimated FD) were proposed. To estimate model precision and sensitivity to detect the change, 31 basketball players executed multiple 30 m sprints. Athlete performance was simultaneously measured by a laser gun and timing gates positioned at 5, 10, 20, and 30 m. Short sprint parameters were estimated using a laser gun, representing the criterion measure, and five different timing gate models, representing the practical measures. Only the MSS parameter demonstrated a high agreement between the laser gun and timing gate models, using the percent mean absolute difference (%MAD) estimator (%MAD < 10%). The MSS parameter also showed the highest sensitivity, using the minimum detectable change estimator (%MDC95), with an estimated %MDC95 < 17%. Interestingly, sensitivity was the highest for the No Correction model (%MDC95 < 7%). All other parameters and models demonstrated an unsatisfying level of sensitivity. Thus, sports practitioners should be cautious when using timing gates to estimate maximum acceleration indices and changes in their respective levels.

Effects of Fatigue and Unanticipated Factors on Knee Joint Biomechanics in Female Basketball Players during Cutting.

(1) This study examined the impact of fatigue and unanticipated factors on knee biomechanics during sidestep cutting and lateral shuffling in female basketball players, assessing the potential for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. (2) Twenty-four female basketball players underwent fatigue induction and unanticipated change of direction tests, and kinematic and kinetic parameters were collected before and after fatigue with a Vicon motion capture system and Kistler ground reaction force (GRF) sensor. (3) Analysis using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant interaction between fatigue and unanticipated factors on joint kinematics and kinetics. Unanticipated conditions significantly increased the knee joint flexion and extension angle (p < 0.01), decreased the knee flexion moment under anticipated conditions, and increased the knee valgus moment after fatigue (p ≤ 0.05). One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping (SPM1d) results indicated significant differences in GRF during sidestep cutting and knee inversion and rotation moments during lateral shuffling post-fatigue. (4) Unanticipated factors had a greater impact on knee load patterns, raising ACL injury risk. Fatigue and unanticipated factors were independent risk factors and should be considered separately in training programs to prevent lower limb injuries.

Examining the Effects of Altitude on Workload Demands in Professional Basketball Players during the Preseason Phase.

Basketball involves frequent high-intensity movements requiring optimal aerobic power. Altitude training can enhance physiological adaptations, but research examining its effects in basketball is limited. This study aimed to characterize the internal/external workload of professional basketball players during preseason and evaluate the effects of altitude and playing position. Twelve top-tier professional male basketball players (Liga Endesa, ACB; guards: n = 3, forwards: n = 5, and centers: n = 4) participated in a crossover study design composed of two training camps with nine sessions over 6 days under two different conditions: high altitude (2320 m) and sea level (10 m). Internal loads (heart rate, %HRMAX) and external loads (total distances covered across speed thresholds, accelerations/decelerations, impacts, and jumps) were quantified via wearable tracking and heart rate telemetry. Repeated-measures MANOVA tested the altitude x playing position effects. Altitude increased the total distance (+10%), lower-speed running distances (+10-39%), accelerations/decelerations (+25-30%), average heart rate (+6%), time in higher-intensity HR zones (+23-63%), and jumps (+13%) across all positions (p < 0.05). Positional differences existed, with guards accruing more high-speed running and centers exhibiting greater cardiovascular demands (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a 6-day altitude block effectively overloads training, providing a stimulus to enhance fitness capacities when structured appropriately. Monitoring workloads and individualizing training by playing position are important when implementing altitude training, given the varied responses.

Study on the Impact of Implementing an Exercise Program Using Fitlight Technology for the Development of Upper Limb Coordinative Abilities in Basketball Players.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a basketball-specific exercise program using Fitlight technology on the coordinative abilities (reactive coordination, reactive reaction time, and reactive movement combination capacity) of U14 and U16 junior basketball players. This study included 70 male basketball players, 36 subjects U14 and 34 subjects U16, divided into two equal groups for each age category: the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). This study included an initial and a final test, between which, training was conducted over a period of 18 weeks. For the EG, the program aimed to develop coordinative abilities through an experimental program that utilized Fitlight technology, while the control groups underwent an identically timed program, but their training did not include the use of technology. Four tests were adapted and applied: the Reactive Reaction Test, Choice Reactive Reaction Test, Reactive Hand-Eye Coordination Test, and a test to evaluate the reactive capacity for combining movements. The results of this study showed statistically significant progress between the initial and final tests for the experimental group, p < 0.05. The Cohen's d values for the experimental groups were above 0.8, indicating a very large effect size, while for the control group, these values were small to medium. The comparative analysis of the experimental groups U14 and U16 and control groups shows statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental groups U14 and U16. This study highlights the effectiveness of implementing specific training programs that use modern technologies in developing coordinative abilities in the training and evaluation process of junior basketball players.

Improving the Jump Shots of U12 Junior Basketball Players by Implementing a Combined Program of Plyometric and Coordination Exercises Using MyVert Technology.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the implementation of an experimental program with combined plyometric and coordination exercises for a time interval of 6 months aimed at improving the jump shots of U12 junior players through the use of information technologies. One hundred seventeen female basketball players, aged between 10 and 12 years (U12), participated in this study. The study subjects were divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG), with 60 (51.3%) subjects, and the control group (CG), with 57 subjects (48.7%). The 6-month experiment program implemented in the experimental group included exercises that combined coordination exercises with plyometric exercises in the execution of throwing skills and skills specific to the basketball game by using the MyVert portable smart sensor. This study included an initial test and a final test, in which three motor tests adapted to the specifics of the basketball game were applied in order to evaluate jump shots: a throw-after-step test, a standing shot test and a shot-after-dribbling test. Only the results of the experimental group showed statistically significant progress (p < 0.05) between the final and initial testing in all three motor tests for the following parameters: maximum jump height (cm), average jump height (cm), power (watts/kg) and successful shots (no). The gains of the control group were not statistically significant in any test. It should be noted that the number of throws scored in the basket of the experimental group increased significantly, a fact highlighted by the very large size of Cohen's value > 3 in all the tests of this study. The results of the experimental group as a result of the implementation of the experimental training program using MyVert technology were superior to the results of the control group. The practical implications of the present study will contribute to the optimization of the athletes' training methodology in order to improve the physical and technical levels in relation to the peculiarities of age and training level.

Assessing the Post-Activation Performance Enhancement of Upper Limbs in Basketball Athletes: A Sensor-Based Study of Rapid Stretch Compound and Blood Flow Restriction Training.

OBJECTIVE: This study introduces a novel methodology combining rapid stretch compound training with blood flow restriction (BFR) to investigate post activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in basketball players, a field that has been predominantly explored for lower limbs. We aimed to assess the efficacy of this combined approach on upper limb muscle performance in athletes. METHODS: We employed a randomized, self-controlled crossover trial with ten male basketball players. The bench press throw (BPT) served as the primary metric, with players undergoing four interventions post-baseline: (1) STR-plyometric training; (2) BFR-blood flow restriction; (3) COMB-STR integrated with BFR; and (4) CON-control. Innovatively, we utilized an intelligent tracking sensor to precisely measure peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV), mean power (MP), and mean velocity (MV) at 4, 8, and 12 min post-intervention, providing a detailed temporal analysis of PAPE. RESULTS: The COMB intervention demonstrated superior PAPE effects at 4 min, significantly outperforming STR and BFR alone and the control group across all measured indices (p < 0.05). Notably, the COMB group maintained these improvements for PV, PP, and H up to 12 min post-intervention, suggesting a prolonged effect. CONCLUSION: (1) The COMB stimulation has been shown to successfully induce PAPE more effectively than STR and BFR modality alone. (2) It appears that the optimal effects of PAPE are achieved within 4 min of exercising under this COMB. By the 12 min mark, only the COMB group continued to show significant improvements in PV, PP, and H compared to both the baseline and the CON group, while the effects in the STR and BFR groups further diminished. This suggests that although the PAPE effect is maintained over time, its optimal performance may peak at the 4 min mark and then gradually weaken as time progresses.

The Effect of Daily Heart Rate Workloads on Preseason, Midseason, and Postseason Oxygen Consumption in Division I Basketball.

ABSTRACT: Howard, M, Sanders, GJ, Kollock, RO, Peacock, CA, and Freire, R. The effect of daily heart rate workloads on preseason, midseason, and postseason oxygen consumption in Division I basketball. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 704-708, 2024-Basketball is a dynamic sport, requiring athletes to elicit a high-level of physical, tactical, technical, and psychological attributes and athletes must possess a robustly trained aerobic energy system. There is no research to assess how objectively measured training loads throughout a season influence aerobic capacity. The following study was a retrospective analysis of an NCAA Division I women's basketball team throughout a 5-month (23-week) competitive season. Data were sorted into season half totals and maximal oxygen consumption was recorded before, at the midway point and within 1-week postseason. Twelve athletes were monitored during each practice, pregame shoot around, scrimmage, and game for a total of 1,378 recorded sessions with a valid heart rate-based wearable microsensor (Polar Team Pro) during the season. There was a main effect of time for V̇O 2max throughout the season ( p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed there was a significant increase in V̇O 2max from preseason to postseason ( p < 0.001). Interestingly, there were significant ( p ≤ 0.001 for all) decreases from the first half to the second half of the season for training load, and time allocated to HR Zone1-4 , but no difference in time for the most intense zone, HR zone5 . Conclusion: Oxygen consumption significantly increased 7.5% from preseason to postseason despite a reduction in overall work. The only training intensity that was not different from the first half to second half of the season was time in the highest heart rate intensity zone ≥85% of HR max .

Weekly Fluctuations in, and Associations Between, Salivary Hormone Responses, Load, and Well-Being During the Pre-season in Professional Male Basketball Players.

ABSTRACT: Kamarauskas, P, Scanlan, A, Ferioli, D, and Conte, D. Weekly fluctuations in, and associations between, salivary hormone responses, load, and well-being during the pre-season in professional male basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(1): 128-135, 2024-This study aimed to (a) quantify weekly fluctuations in hormonal responses (testosterone [T], cortisol [C], and their ratio [T:C]), external (PlayerLoad [PL] and PL·minute-1) and internal (session rating of perceived exertion load [sRPE-load], summated heart rate zones [SHRZs], and percentage of maximal heart rate [%HRmax]) load measures, and well-being measured using a self-reported questionnaire and (b) determine the associations between weekly changes in hormonal responses and load measures with weekly changes in well-being during the pre-season phase in basketball players. Twenty-one professional male basketball players (age: 26.2 ± 4.9 years) were monitored during a 5-week pre-season phase. Linear mixed models were used to determine weekly differences in each variable and associations between weekly changes in hormonal and load variables with weekly changes in well-being. Findings revealed that T (p < 0.001) and T:C (p = 0.002) increased toward the end of the pre-season phase. Moreover, higher (p < 0.05) external (PL·minute-1) and internal (%HRmax) load intensities were evident during the first 3 weeks of the pre-season, with no significant fluctuations in other load variables. Weekly changes in PL and sRPE-load were negatively associated (p < 0.05) with weekly changes in well-being, albeit weak in magnitudes (R2 = 0.061-0.105). These results highlight that a periodized approach was undertaken across the pre-season predominantly predicated on altering weekly load intensities, which coincided with positive hormonal responses toward the end of the pre-season. In addition, weak relationships were evident between weekly changes in hormonal responses and load measures with well-being, emphasizing that a low commonality may be present between these constructs.

Dose-Response Relationship for External Workload and Neuromsuclar Performance Over a Female, Collegiate, Basketball Season.

ABSTRACT: Philipp, NM, Cabarkapa, D, Blackburn, SD, and Fry, AC. Dose-response relationship for external workload and neuromsuclar performance over a female, collegiate, basketball season. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e253-e263, 2024-The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between external workload exposure and changes in countermovement jump force-time characteristics over the course of an entire basketball season, in a sample of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, female, basketball players. Data for 12 players were retrospectively analyzed, with external workload being quantified by means of an exponentially weighted, acute, and chronic workload, as well as an acute:chronic workload ratio derived from an inertial measurement unit-based system worn by athletes for all practices and games during the regular season. Countermovement jumps were performed on a total of 26 test days over the span of the in-season competitive period. To statistically analyze these relationships, and to account for multiple observations of the same athletes in a data set, linear mixed-effects models with athlete identity (ID) intercept as the random effect were used. Study findings suggested that associations between external workload exposure and respective force-time characteristics after controlling for the random effect of athlete ID were dependent on the specific metric or metric subgroup used, as well as the type of workload exposure (e.g., acute vs. chronic). Force-time signatures from the braking phase (e.g., average braking force) seemed to be particularly associated with higher degrees of acute workload exposure, whereas strategy-based metrics such as countermovement depth showed significant associations with chronic workload exposure. Furthermore, model results suggested the importance of analyzing neuromuscular responses to external workload on an individual basis, rather than across an entire team. Findings might help practitioners in their selection process related to metrics of interest in monitoring neuromuscular fatigue and readiness.