Examining the Role of Fan Support on Home Advantage and Home Win Percentage in Professional Women's Basketball.

Our main aim in this study was to analyze any differences in Win Percentages at Home (HW) that might represent a Home-Court Advantage (HA) in women's professional basketball. A secondary objective was to analyze how team ability might modify the HA effect by comparing any interaction effect between HW and team ability in games played with and without fans. We collected data from first Spanish female basketball divisions, using a linear mixed model (LMM) for repeated measures to identify differences between time periods (games with fans vs. games without fans) for HA and HW. When comparing games with and without fans, we found no significant HA and HW differences (p = .283 and p = .872, respectively). In fact, interestingly, we observed higher win values when fans were absent. Additionally, during the COVID-19 shut down stage, HA increased; but it returned to pre-pandemic levels afterward, with no significant differences between these periods (p = .482). Similarly, while HW seemed to increase during the COVID-19 shut down period and continued improving in the post-pandemic phase, there were actually no statistically significant differences (p = .772). Higher HA and HW were evident without fans during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period when fans were present in women's professional basketball. During the post-pandemic period, HA decreased upon fans' return, while HW continued increasing. We discuss possible bases for these unexpected findings.

Impact of Spectators, League and Team Ability on Home Advantage in Professional European Basketball.

Our aim in this study was to examine the impact of fans (vs. no fans), geographical location of league, and team ability on home winning percentage (HW%) or home advantage (HA) in professional European basketball. Data were collected from five prestigious professional, national basketball leagues within Europe (Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece and Israel) across 16 regular seasons (2005-2006 to 2020-2021). We conducted comparisons between matches with and without fans, location of leagues, team ability (High, Medium, Low), and combinations of these factors via non-parametric tests (e.g., Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis). We found significantly greater HA during matches with fans for leagues in Germany (p = .001), Italy (p = .012) and Spain (p = .002). For matches with fans, HA and HW% were significantly different between several, but not all, leagues for high (p < .05), medium (p < .05) and low (p < .02) team abilities. In conclusion, HA and HW% were enhanced by spectator attendance, with this phenomenon varying by location/region and team ability. Consideration of these multiple contextual factors may assist coaches and sport organizations to develop key strategies for enhanced team success.

A Narrative Review of the Most Demanding Scenarios in Basketball: Current Trends and Future Directions.

Since the analysis of most demanding scenarios (MDS) in basketball has improved the practical knowledge about match demands and possible impacts for the training process, it seems important to summarize the scientific evidence providing useful information and future directions related to MDS. This review assesses the results reflected in the available literature about the MDS in basketball, synthesizing and discussing data from scientific papers, and then providing relevant insights about terminology, sex and sample size, competition category, workload variables recorded, technology used, method of calculation, time windows analyzed, and activities evaluated related to MDS. Therefore, the present narrative review would be of practical use for coaches, scientists, athletes as well as strength and conditioning trainers exploring the current trends and future directions related to MDS in basketball.

Physical Persistency across Game Quarters and during Consecutive Games in Elite Junior Basketball Players.

Given the intermittent nature of basketball and the different demands that occur during playing time that are specific to every level of competition, the ratio of accelerations/decelerations and the intensity level across quarters were evaluated in female elite junior basketball players (n = 48; age: 16.8 ± 0.7 years; height: 1.76 ± 0.07 cm; body mass: 67.2 ± 6.2 kg). The following variables were analyzed to determine physical persistency across game quarters:(a) total distance covered (m), (b) high-intensity running (HIR) (14-21 km·h-1) distance covered (m), (c) sprint (21-30 km·h-1) distance covered (m), (d) total accelerations (n), (e) total decelerations (n), (f) relative accelerations (n·min-1), (g) relative decelerations (n·min-1), (h) ratio of acceleration/deceleration (A/D), (i) total jumps (j) relative jumps (n·min-1) (k) player load (AU). using the WIMU PRO® system. Higher but shorter acceleration intensity occurred during the last quarters due to the tight results of the matches. The results suggest that high-intensity efforts such as sprints and HIR seem to increase the A/D ratio (guard and forward positions). Therefore, specific conditioning, as well as eccentric strength training, could be included by practitioners in training programs to improve the performance of these positions during competition, especially as a prior preparation to a game-congested event. Centers seem to have a more variable performance through quarters than do other positions, perhaps highlighting the need for specific conditioning strategies.

Comparing the External Loads Encountered during Competition between Elite, Junior Male and Female Basketball Players.

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.

Monitoring and Interpreting External Load in Basketball: A Narrative Review / Monitoreo e Interpretación de la Carga Externa en el Baloncesto: Una Revisión Narrativa

External load monitoring brings valuable information to practitioners and coaches about the physical requirements of the activity developed by their players, according to their level of competition, age and gender. This information can be used to individualize training programs and to optimize the time invested in them, making coaches and players more efficient in the process. This review asses the results reflected in the existing bibliography about the measurements of external load in the sport of basketball, synthesizing them in one article for the scientific reader. Data from 29 scientific papers has been organized and discussed, providing relevant insights about the goals and findings, sample, measurement variables and technology for monitoring external load in basketball

La monitorización de la carga externa aporta información valiosa a los profesionales y entrenadores sobre los requisitos físicos de la actividad desarrollada por sus jugadores, de acuerdo con su nivel de competencia, edad y género. Esta información se puede utilizar para individualizar los programas de entrenamiento y optimizar el tiempo invertido en ellos, haciendo que los entrenadores y jugadores sean más eficientes en el proceso. Esta revisión evalúa los resultados reflejados en la bibliografía existente sobre las medidas de carga externa en el deporte del baloncesto, sintetizándolas en un artículo para el lector científico. Los datos de 29 artículos científicos se han organizado y discutido, proporcionando información relevante sobre los objetivos y hallazgos, muestra, variables de medición y tecnología para monitorizar la carga externa en el baloncesto

O monitoramento de carga externa traz informações valiosas para os praticantes e treinadores sobre as exigências físicas da atividade desenvolvida por seus jogadores, de acordo com seu nível de competição, idade e sexo. Essas informações podem ser usadas para individualizar programas de treinamento e otimizar o tempo investido neles, tornando treinadores e jogadores mais eficientes no processo. Esta revisão avalia os resultados refletidos na bibliografia existente sobre as medidas de carga externa no esporte de basquete, sintetizando-as em um artigo para o leitor científico. Dados de 29 trabalhos científicos foram organizados e discutidos, fornecendo insights relevantes sobre os objetivos e descobertas, amostra, variáveis de medição e tecnologia para monitorar a carga externa no basquete

Comparison of the Movement Characteristics Based on Position-Specific Between Semi-Elite and Elite Basketball Players / Comparación de las Características de Movimiento Basadas en la Posición Específica entre los Jugadores de Baloncesto Semi-elite y Elite / Comparação das características do movimento baseadas na posição específica entre jogadores de basquete semi-elite e elite

The aim of study is to comparison of the movement characteristics based on position-specific between world-class elite and semi-elite basketball players. 24 basketball players were selected from Spanish U18 semi-elite (Guards = 5; Forwards = 5; Centres = 2) and World-class elite basketball players (Guards = 5; Forwards = 4; Centres = 3), respectively. Physical demands were assessed using WIMU PRO Local Positioning System (Realtrack Systems, Almeria, Spain) during practices. The differences between Spanish U18 semi-elite and World-class elite basketball players from different position were tested by independent sample t-test. Our result showed that Spanish U18 semi-elite basketball players from all position, made more movement of acceleration and deceleration per average minutes than their counterpart World-class basketball players. Moreover, Spanish U18 guards have better performance in the performance profiles of g-force acceleration (ES = 0.88) and deceleration (ES = 0.98) than World-class guards, as the same results as Spanish U18 centres (g-force acceleration, ES = 0.44; and g-force deceleration, ES = 0.53). Conversely, World-class forwards have better performance in max acceleration (ES = 0.42) and deceleration (ES = 0.42) than Spanish U18 forwards. In conclusion, differences in distribution of accelerations and decelerations appeared between player positions, which would be of importance when monitoring training and game loads and when prescribing specific training exercises

El objetivo del estudio ha sido comparar las características de los movimientos realizados por los jugadores de baloncesto, de acuerdo a la posición específica de juego, en jugadores de élite y semi-élite. Se seleccionaron 24 jugadores de baloncesto semi-elite U18 (Bases = 5; Aleros = 5; Pivots = 2) y jugadores de élite de clase mundial (Bases = 5; Aleros = 4; Pivots = 3), respectivamente. Las demandas físicas se evaluaron utilizando el sistema de posicionamiento local WIMU PRO (Realtrack Systems, Almería, España) durante los entrenamientos. Para observar las diferencias entre los jugadores de baloncesto semi-elite U18 y de élite de clase mundial desde diferentes posiciones se utilizó la prueba t de muestra independiente. Los resultados mostraron que los jugadores de baloncesto semi-elite U18, independientemente de la posición de juego, hicieron más movimientos de aceleración y desaceleración por minuto promedio que los jugadores de baloncesto de clase mundial. Además, los bases U18 tuvieron un mejor rendimiento en los perfiles de rendimiento de aceleración de fuerza g (ES = 0.88) y desaceleración (ES = 0.98) que los bases de clase mundial, al igual que los pivots españoles U18 (g- aceleración de fuerza, ES = 0.44; y desaceleración de fuerza g, ES = 0.53). Por el contrario, los aleros de clase mundial tuvieron un mejor rendimiento en aceleración máxima (ES = 0.42) y desaceleración (ES = 0.42) que los aleros U18. En conclusión, aparecieron diferencias en la distribución de las aceleraciones y desaceleraciones entre las posiciones de los jugadores, lo que sería importante al monitorear el entrenamiento y las cargas del juego y al prescribir ejercicios de entrenamiento específicos

O objectivo do estudo foi o de comparar as características dos movimentos realizados pelos jogadores de basquetebol, de acordo com a posição de reprodução em reprodutores de elite e semi-elite. Foram selecionados 24 jogadores de basquete sub-elite de sub-18 (Armadores = 5; Alas = 5; Pivôs = 2) e jogadores de elite da classe mundial (Armadores = 5; Alas = 4; Pivôs = 3), respectivamente. As demandas físicas foram avaliadas usando o sistema de posicionamento local WIMU PRO (Realtrack Systems, Almería, Espanha) durante o treinamento. Para observar as diferenças entre os jogadores de basquete semi-elite e elite de basquete de classe mundial de diferentes posições, foi utilizado o teste t de amostra independente. Os resultados mostraram que os jogadores de basquete Sub-18 semi-elite, independentemente da posição de jugego, fez mais movimentos de aceleração e desaceleração por classe média minuto mundo jogadores de basquete. Além disso, as armadores U18 tiveram melhor desempenho nos perfis de aceleração da força g (ES = 0,88) e desaceleração (ES = 0,98) do que as bases de classe mundial, assim como os pivôs espanhóis da U18 ( g- aceleração da força, ES = 0,44; e desaceleração da força g, ES = 0, 53). Pelo contrário, a classe alas mundo realizado melhor em aceleração máxima (ES = 0 .42) e desaceleração (ES = 0 0,42) do que beirais U18. Em conclusão, eles apareceram diferenças na distribuição de acelerações e desacelerações entre as posições dos jogadores, seria importante para monitorar treinamento e jogo carrega e ao prescrever exercícios específicos de formação