Corrigendum: High-speed running and sprinting in professional adult soccer: current thresholds definition, match demands and training strategies. A systematic review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1116293.].

A Systematic Review on the Physical, Physiological, Perceptual, and Technical-Tactical Demands of Official 3 × 3 Basketball Games.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the physical, physiological, perceptual, and technical-tactical demands of official 3 × 3 basketball games. METHODS: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were systematically searched to identify studies assessing physical, physiological, perceptual, and technical-tactical demands of 3 × 3 games. Data were also coded according to player sex and tournament phase. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using a modified Downs and Black checklist. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were finally included, with a mean quality of 8.6 (1.1) out of 11. Three-by-three basketball games have an intermittent profile (1:1 work-rest ratio), with a duration of ∼15 minutes, and are characterized by short (6-8 s) ball possessions and considerable physical (17-33 accelerations, 24-44 decelerations, 62-94 changes of directions, and 17-24 jumps per game) and physiological (lactate: ∼6.2 mmol·L-1) demands. Overall, the game performance profile is similar in males and females, with minor changes happening across tournament phases. Several key technical-tactical indicators were identified as discriminating winning and losing teams, such as better shooting and defensive efficiency, low number of turnovers, and implementing tactical actions involving more players, passing first, and ending possessions with shots from outside of the arch from the top of the key. CONCLUSIONS: Three-by-three basketball is an intermittent, physically demanding sport characterized by quick plays and specific tactical constraints. This review provides information that should be considered by performance staff to improve training prescription, game tactical plans, and for player selection and talent identification.

Physical demands during 3 × 3 international male and female basketball games are partially impacted by competition phase but not game outcome.

Despite the increased popularity and number of international competitions for 3 × 3 basketball, the precise physical demands of this sport are not well described. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the physical demands of 3 × 3 basketball games according to game outcome and competition phase. Following an observational design, video footage from 27 games were analysed from 104 international 3 × 3 basketball players (n = 52 male and n = 52 female players) belonging to 26 national teams (n = 13 male and n = 13 female teams) during the 2019 FIBA 3 × 3 World Cup. Manual frame-by-frame time-motion analyses were conducted to determine the relative frequency (n · min-1) and duration (% of live playing time) for several physical demand variables to make comparisons according to game outcome (win vs. loss) and competition phase (group games vs. finals games). Linear mixed models for repeated measures and effect size analyses revealed non-significant, trivial-small differences in physical demands between games that were won and lost. Regarding competition phase, male players completed more high-intensity activity (sprinting, high-intensity specific movements, and jumping) but spent a greater proportion of playing time jumping and performing recovery activities (standing/ walking) during finals games than group games (P < 0.05, small), while female players performed more low-intensity activity (jogging and low-intensity specific movements) during group games than finals games (P < 0.05, small). These findings indicate that the physical capabilities of male and female 3 × 3 basketball players may not be the determining factor for team success in games and players can mostly maintain activity outputs across phases of tournament play conducted at the highest international standard.

Relationships between training dose and record power outputs in professional road cyclists: insights and threats to validity.

Testing short-term (4-8 weeks) correlations between training dose and performance in professional road cyclists can help improve their training and performance. Multilevel mixed-modeling was used to correlate training dose (Time, Edwards' Trimp-eTRIMP, Training Stress Score-TSS, time spent in power output zones-Z1, Z2, Z3, Polarization Index-PI) and Record Power Output (RPO) over 1 minute (RPO1), 5 (RPO5), 20 (RPO20), and 40 minutes (RPO40) across four different time periods: training dose of the previous month with RPOs of the subsequent month (Monthly-analysis); training dose of the 8 weeks preceding All, Grand tours, One-day races with RPOs of these races. In Monthly-analysis, small positive relationships between all the training dose parameters, except for PI, and RPO1, RPO5, RPO20, RPO40 were found (p ≤ 0.001). In Grand tours analysis, Z3 showed a positive association with RPO40 (r: 0.45; p = 0.007, moderate) and was positively related to RPO1 and RPO5 (r between 0.32 and 0.34; p = 0.053-0.059, moderate). PI was small positively related to RPO1 (r = 0.29, p = 0.076, small). In One-day races analysis, eTRIMP was positively related to RPO5 (r = 0.30, p = 0.035, moderate), Z1 negatively related to RPO40 (r = -0.31, p = 0.031, moderate), PI positively related to RPO5 (r = 0.24, p = 0.068, small) and Z2 was negatively related to RPO20 (r = -0.29, p = 0.051, small). A certain degree of responsiveness to training dose exists in professional road cyclists. To improve RPOs an appropriate preparation pattern seems to be increasing high intensity training for Grand Tours and fostering high intensity and overall training load (eTRIMP and TSS) in a more polarized-fashion for one-day races. Systematic and precise data collection during training and racing is highly advocated.

High-speed running and sprinting in professional adult soccer: Current thresholds definition, match demands and training strategies. A systematic review.

The aims of this systematic review were (1) to summarize the evidence on absolute velocity thresholds used to classify high-speed running and sprinting, (2) to examine the existing evidence about the individualized thresholds approach, (3) to describe high-speed and sprint running distance match demands, and (4) to provide training strategies for eliciting HSR and sprinting during training sessions in professional adult soccer. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After the authors' screening, 30 studies were included in this review. This review found that, to date, there is no consensus on the absolute thresholds defining high-speed and sprint running in adult soccer players. Until international standards are defined, it is reasonable to set absolute thresholds considering the range of values found in the literature collected in this review. Relative velocity thresholds could be considered for specific training sessions whose goal is to reach near maximal velocity exposure. During official matches, high-speed and sprint running distances ranged from 911 to 1,063 m and 223-307 m, respectively, in professional female soccer players, while ranges from 618 to 1,001 m and 153-295 m, respectively, in professional male soccer players. During training, game-based drills designed in formats using relative areas per player greater than 225 m2 and 300 m2 appear to be adequate for achieving high-speed running and sprinting exposure, respectively, for male players. The combination of game-based, running exercises and soccer circuit-based drills is advisable to ensure adequate high-speed and sprint running exposure both at a team and individual level.

Relationships Between Internal and External Load Measures and Fitness Level Changes in Professional Soccer Players.

Purpose: Understanding the dose-response relationship between internal and external training load with changes in aerobic fitness and intermittent running capacity, during different periods of the season, may help in optimizing training process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the dose-response relationships between load measures and changes in aerobic fitness and intermittent running capacity among a large cohort of professional soccer players. Methods: Training load, aerobic fitness and intermittent running capacity of 52 male adult professional players from 3 elite teams were monitored across an entire season and analyzed employing linear mixed models, with a significance level set at p≤0.05. Results: Relationships between load measures (training and match duration, sRPE-TL, total distance, high and very high-speed running distances) and changes in physical qualities were stronger during the preparation period (PREP) for both aerobic fitness (d= 0.48 to 0.76, p<0.031) and intermittent running capacity (d= 0.46 to 1.89, p<0.046). The magnitude of the relationships reduced during the first competitive period (d= 0.43 to 0.56) and the relationships became trivial in the second competitive period (d= 0.06 to 0.41, p= 0.063 to 0.846). Conclusion: The moderate to large relationships found between all measures of load and changes in physical capacities suggest that training prescription during the PREP was effective in improving players' fitness. During the competitive phase small changes in aerobic and intermittent running capacities were found, highlighting that coaching staff pursue different aims during the competitive period, such as technical and tactical training and recovery.       .

Association between match physical activity and neuromuscular characteristics in youth football.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between maximal and submaximal neuromuscular field tests, match physical activity levels and biological maturation in youth football players. METHODS: Sixty-four football players from under 14 to under 17 age groups were assessed. Players performed a repeated-sprint ability test, counter movement jump, 10-m, and 30-m sprint test, as well as an assessment of peripheral muscle function following a multi-stage incremental (i.e., four intensity levels) change of direction test (COD). Knee extensors peak-torque (PTmax) and the decrement of torque values (dec) were considered as COD outcomes. Physical match activities were tracked by GPS technology, while rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed using the CR10 Börg Scale. Pearson's correlations (90% confidence interval) were used to examine the relationships. RESULTS: Small associations were found between field tests and match activities. The relationships increased from small to moderate for some tests when match data with RPE>5 were considered. The largest associations were found between distance covered <-2.5m·s-2 and both COD PTmax and dec when RPE>5. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provide further evidence of a small-to-moderate association between muscular performance and match work-rate in young football players. Although physical and physiological evaluations fail to precisely estimate the quantity of physical activities performed during matches, it is suggested that they can be utilized to monitor the training effect over time in young football players.

Physical Demands of Elite Male and Female 3 × 3 International Basketball Matches.

ABSTRACT: Ferioli, D, Conte, D, Rucco, D, Alcaraz, PE, Vaquera, A, Romagnoli, M, and Rampinini, E. Physical demands of elite male and female 3×3 international basketball matches. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): e289-e296, 2023-This study aimed to (1) characterize the physical demands of 3 × 3 basketball games during live playing time and ball possession and (2) assess the differences in physical demands between male and female players. Following an observational design, video footage from 27 games of the International Basketball Federation 3 × 3 World Cup 2019 were analyzed from 104 international 3 × 3 basketball players ( n = 52 male and n = 52 female players) resulting in a total of 216 (104 male and 112 female) individual game samples. Manual frame-by-frame time-motion analyses determined the relative frequency (n·min -1 ) and duration (%) for several physical demands at different intensities, according to sex, during the live playing time and in ball possession phases. Linear mixed models for repeated measures and effect size (ES) analyses revealed small non-significant differences in the intermittent profile of 3 × 3 basketball games according to sex (total movements per minute, male = 39.3 (38.6-40.1); female = 40.2 (39.5-41.0), estimated marginal means with 95% confidence intervals). Female competitions had significantly greater number of low-intensity activities (LIA, small ES) and high-intensity activities (HIA, small ES) performed per minute over longer games ( small ES), whereas male players had more recovery activities ( small ES). During ball possession, male players spent a larger amount of time performing LIA ( small ES) than female players, who displayed both the greatest number of HIA and the highest percentage of playing time performed at high intensity ( small ES). Overall, these findings suggest that basketball coaches should design sex-specific training sessions based on the specific match demands.

Peripheral muscle function during repeated changes of direction in professional soccer players.

PURPOSES: To evaluate peripheral muscle function of the knee extensors during repeated changes of direction in professional soccer players by examining differences between competitive levels, periods of the season and playing positions, and to investigate the relationships between peripheral muscle function and physical activities during matches. METHODS: Knee extensor peripheral muscle function (twitch peak torque, PT) of 593 male soccer players from 13 European professional clubs competing at 3 different levels was evaluated 4 times during the season. The main outcomes were PTmax (maximal PT, muscle contractility), MPmax (maximal metabolic power exercise intensity) and PTdec (PT decline, muscle fatigability) obtained during intermittent runs of increasing intensity with multiple changes of direction interspersed with electrically evoked contractions. Relative total and sprint distances covered during a whole match and during short intervals were quantified from a sub-sample. RESULTS: PTmax and MPmax were higher for first than for second division (p < 0.047; d = 0.15-0.23) and Under-19 players (p < 0.007; d = 0.17-0.25). MPmax was lower (p < 0.016; d = 0.23-0.32) and PTdec was higher (p < 0.004; d = 0.26-0.39) in the pre-season compared to all the other time points. MPmax was higher for fullbacks than attackers and defenders (p < 0.041; d = 0.20-0.22). PTdec was higher for defenders than fullbacks, midfielders and wings (p < 0.029; d = 0.21-0.28). PTmax was associated with whole-match relative total distance (p = 0.004; d = 0.26). PTdec was associated with whole-match relative total distance and relative short-interval sprint distance (p < 0.050; d = 0.18-0.22). CONCLUSION: The ability to sustain repeated change of direction efforts at high intensities while preserving peripheral muscle function should be considered an important determinant of soccer physical performance.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Serie A Soccer Players' Physical Qualities.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced most activities in Italy, including soccer, to cease. During lockdown, players could only train at home, with limited evidence regarding the effect of this period. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on professional soccer players' physical performance. Aerobic fitness and vertical jump were assessed before and after four periods in two different seasons: COVID-19 lockdown, competitive period before lockdown, competitive period and summer break of the 2016-2017 season. Linear mixed models were used to examine within-period changes and between-period differences in changes observed during COVID-19 lockdown and the three other periods. Within-period changes in aerobic fitness showed a significant improvement following COVID-19 lockdown (p<0.001) and a significant decline during summer break (p<0.001). Between-period differences were significant in the comparison of COVID-19 lockdown with both the competitive 2019-2020 season (p<0.01) and summer break (p<0.001). For the vertical jump, only the between-period comparison revealed significant differences as the changes associated with COVID-19 lockdown were worse than those of the two competitive periods, for both absolute (p<0.05; p<0.001) and relative peak power (p<0.01; p<0.001). Home-based training during lockdown was effective to improve aerobic fitness, although it did not allow players to maintain their competitive period's power levels.

The Business End of the Season: A Comparison Between Playoff and Regular-Season Workloads in Professional Basketball Players.

PURPOSE: To quantify and compare the internal workloads experienced during the playoffs and regular season in basketball. METHODS: A total of 10 professional male basketball players competing in the Italian first division were monitored during the final 6 weeks of the regular season and the entire 6-week playoff phase. Internal workload was quantified using the session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) method for all training sessions and games. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (day type × period) was utilized to assess differences in daily s-RPE between game days, days within 24 hours of games, and days >24 hours from games during the playoffs and regular season. Comparisons in weekly training, game, and total workloads were made between the playoffs and regular season using paired t tests and effect sizes. RESULTS: A significant interaction between day and competitive period for s-RPE was found (P = .003, moderate). Lower s-RPE was apparent during playoff and regular-season days within 24 hours of games than all other days (P < .001, very large). Furthermore, s-RPE across days >24 hours from playoff games was different than all other days (P ≤ .01, moderate-very large). Weekly training (P = .009, very large) and total (P < .001, moderate) s-RPE were greater during the regular season than playoffs, whereas weekly game s-RPE was greater during the playoffs than the regular season (P < .001, very large). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents an exploratory investigation of internal workload during the playoffs in professional basketball. Players experienced greater training and total weekly workloads during the regular season than during the playoffs with similar daily game workloads between periods.

Morning Priming Exercise Strategy to Enhance Afternoon Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of different modalities of morning priming exercise on afternoon physical performance with the associated hormonal and psychophysiological responses in young soccer players. METHODS: In a randomized counterbalanced crossover design, 12 young soccer players completed 3 different morning conditions on 3 different days: repeated-sprint running (6 × 40 m), easy exercise (4 × 12 fast half squats, 6 speed ladder drills, and 20-m sprints), and control (no exercise). Blood testosterone and cortisol concentrations were assessed upon arrival (approximately 8:30AM) and approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes later. Body temperature, self-reported mood, quadriceps neuromuscular function (maximal voluntary contraction, voluntary activation, rate of torque development, and twitch contractile properties), jump, and sprint performance were evaluated twice per day, while rating of perceived exertion, motivation, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 (IR2) tests were assessed once per day. RESULTS: Compared with the control, repeated-sprint running induced a possible positive effect on testosterone (+11.6%) but a possible to very likely negative effect on twitch contractile properties (-13.0%), jump height (-1.4%), and Yo-Yo IR2 (-7.1%). On the other hand, easy exercise had an unclear effect on testosterone (-3.3%), resulted in lower self-reported fatigue (-31.0%) and cortisol (-12.9%), and had a possible positive effect on the rate of torque development (+4.3%) and Yo-Yo IR2 (+6.5%) compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: Players' testosterone levels were positively influenced by repeated-sprint running, but this did not translate into better physical function, as both muscular and endurance performance were reduced. Easy exercise seemed to be suitable to optimize the physical performance and psychophysiological state of young soccer players.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on professional soccer players' match physical activities.

AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2019-20 Italian Serie A competition to stop and players went into lockdown. During lockdown, players only trained at home, likely having a detrimental effect on players' physical fitness and capacity. This study investigated the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on professional soccer players' match physical activities. METHODS: Match activities of 265 male professional soccer players were assessed in two periods prior to (PRE1 and PRE2) and one period following the lockdown (POST) using a video tracking system. Linear mixed models were used to examine differences between-periods in total (TD), very high-speed (VHS), sprint (SPR), high-acceleration (ACC) and high-deceleration (DEC) distances, considering full match data and data from six 15-min intervals. RESULTS: TD and VHS during POST were lower than the two other competitive periods (p < 0.001, d small-moderate). SPR did not show differences between periods (p > 0.636). ACC and DEC during POST were lower than PRE2 (p < 0.015, d small). Declines in most 15-min intervals after lockdown were observed in TD and VHS. CONCLUSIONS: There were small differences in the temporal distribution of SPR, ACC and DEC at POST. After the COVID-19 lockdown, soccer players' higher-intensity running activities were similar to those of games played before the lockdown, but TD and VHS decreased, both considering the entire match and 15-min intervals. The temporal distribution of running activities was mostly stable throughout the season.

Determining the relationship between load markers and non-contact injuries during the competitive season among professional and semi-professional basketball players.

This study examined the association and predictive ability of internal load markers (based on rating of perceived exertion, RPE) with non-contact injuries in basketball. 35 basketball players (age: 24 ± 6 years, stature: 196 ± 9 cm, body mass: 91 ± 12 kg) were prospectively followed during 1 or 2 seasons, during which non-contact injuries were recorded. Markers examined were: mean weekly RPE, weekly load, exposure, week-to-week load change, acute:chronic 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 load ratio. A generalized estimating equations analysis was used to determine association with non-contact injury in the subsequent week. Prediction was examined with receiver operating characteristic curve, area under the curve (AUC) and Youden index. No associations were found between load markers and non-contact injuries (all p > 0.05); load markers showed no injury predictive ability (AUC range: 0.468-537; Youden index range: 0.019-132). In conclusion, the load markers selected are not associated with non-contact injuries and they cannot be used to predict injuries in basketball.

Influence of ball possession and playing position on the physical demands encountered during professional basketball games.

Understanding the game demands encountered in basketball provides useful insight for developing specific, individualized and team-based training sessions. This study quantified and compared the game activity demands encountered by basketball players of different playing positions: i) strictly when in possession of the ball and ii) overall during live playing time (irrespective of ball possession). The activity demands encountered by 44 (22 guards, 14 forwards, 8 centres) adult, professional, male basketball players were assessed across 10 official games. Time-motion analysis was used to determine the frequency and proportion (%) of playing time performing recovery (REC), low- (LIA), moderate- (MIA), and high- (HIA) intensity activities. Linear mixed models were constructed to examine differences in dependent variables between playing positions, accounting for repeated measures. Guards, forwards, and centres spent 11.9±5.9%, 3.5±1.3%, and 2.9±1.1% of live playing time in possession of the ball, respectively. Guards performed more activities at all intensities (total movements, REC, LIA, MIA, and HIA) than forwards (P < 0.05) and centres (P < 0.05) when in possession of the ball. The proportion of time spent performing HIA in possession of the ball was greater for forwards (P = 0.001) and centres (P = 0.001) than guards. During live playing time overall across games, centres performed more HIA per minute (P = 0.049) and spent a greater proportion of time performing HIA (P = 0.047) than guards. Activities performed when in possession of the ball and during live playing time across basketball games are affected by playing position. These data highlight the need to develop position-specific training drills, particularly with ball possession.

Workload Monitoring in Top-level Soccer Players During Congested Fixture Periods.

This study assessed the internal and external workload of starters and non-starters in a professional top-level soccer team during a congested fixture period. Twenty Serie A soccer players were monitored in this study during two mesocycles of 21 days each. Starters and non-starters were divided based on the match time played in each mesocycle. The following metrics were recorded: exposure time, total distance, relative total distance, high-speed running distance over 20 km·h-1, very high-speed running distance over 25 km·h-1, individual very high-speed distance over 80% of maximum peak speed, and rating of perceived exertion. Differences between starters and non-starters were found for: exposure time (effect size=large to very large), rating of perceived exertion (large to very large), total distance (large to very large), and individual very high-speed distance over 80% of maximum peak speed (moderate to large). Furthermore, differences for relative total distance, high-speed running distance over 20 km·h-1 and very high-speed running distance over 25 km·h-1 were small to moderate, but not significant. This study reports that during congested fixture periods, starters had higher exposure time, rating of perceived exertion, total distance, and individual very high-speed distance over 80% of maximum peak speed than non-starters.

Physiological profile of elite Bicycle Motocross cyclists and physiological-perceptual demands of a Bicycle Motocross race simulation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the physiological profile of elite Bicycle Motocross (BMX) cyclists and assess the physiological and perceptual demands of a simulated BMX race. In addition, the neuromuscular fatigue induced by BMX race simulation was investigated. METHODS: Twelve male elite BMX cyclists performed two testing sessions. On the first day, incremental submaximal and maximal cycling tests were performed, as well as baseline measurements of muscle contractile qualities, a vertical jump test, short sprint cycling test and Wingate test. Following a recovery period of 48 h, athletes race performance times, physiological intensity and fatigue were determined before and after each heat (4 in total) via muscular evaluations, blood samples and perceptual ratings. RESULTS: During testing, cyclists attained a V̇O2max of 55.7±4.8 ml min-1 kg-1; peak power output during a short cycling sprint of 1498±189 W and average during Wingate of 1344±158 W; counter movement jump peaks were 58.6±7.7 cm (height), 4625±768 W (power) and 64.3±7.5 N kg-1 (force). During the BMX race simulation performance times improved slightly and perceived exertion increased, blood lactate and hydrogen ions concentrations significantly increased across heats while bicarbonate concentrations decreased (P<0.001). Similarly, significant decreases were observed for contractile properties (peak torque, P<0.001; maximal rate of torque development and relaxation, both P<0.001) at single and paired stimulations (10 and 100 Hz) across heats. CONCLUSIONS: Elite BMX cyclists show high anaerobic characteristics (Wingate and sprint) and neuromuscular qualities (height and power jump), while the aerobic qualities are not comparable to those typical of road cyclists. BMX races appear to induce metabolic disturbance, peripheral fatigue and increase perceived exertion, however performance times across heats appears not to be affected.

Seasonal changes in physical capacities of basketball players according to competitive levels and individual responses.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to quantify changes in physical capacities of thirty-eight basketball players selected from different teams, as well as from varying competitive levels (i.e. Division I, Division II and Division III) during the preparation and in-season periods. METHODS: Pre (T1) and post (T2) preparation period and during regular season (T3), the players completed a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test-level 1. Following a 3 to 8 days-break, players performed a 6-min continuous running test (Mognoni's test), a counter-movement jump test and a 5-min high-intensity intermittent running test. RESULTS: Blood lactate concentration measured after the Mognoni's test was significantly reduced from T1 to T2, and from T2 to T3 (P<0.001, ƞ2 = 0.424). The distance covered during the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test was significantly increased only from T1 to T2 in Division II and III (P<0.001, ƞ2 = 0.789). Similarly, the physiological responses to high-intensity intermittent running test were improved only from T1 to T2 (all P<0.001, ƞ2 = 0.495 to 0.652). Despite significant changes observed in running tests from T1 to T2, at individual level 35-55% of players did not show a very likely improvement. Relative peak power produced during vertical jumps at T3 by Division I players was increased compared to T1 (ANOVA interaction, P = 0.037, ƞ2 = 0.134). CONCLUSIONS: The main improvements in physical capacities occurred during the preparation period, when the aerobic fitness and the ability to sustain high-intensity intermittent efforts were moderately-to-largely improved. However, it appears that the preparation period does not consistently impact on vertical jump variables. Aerobic fitness and force/power production during vertical jumps appear to improve across the competitive season (slightly-to-moderately). Physical tests should be used to identify weaknesses in physical performance of players and to monitor their fatigue status, with the aim to develop individualized training programs.

Combined Effect of Number of Players and Dribbling on Game-Based-Drill Demands in Basketball.

PURPOSE: To examine the physiological, physical, and technical demands of game-based drills (GBDs) with regular dribble (RD) or no dribble (ND) involving a different number of players (3 vs 3, 4 vs 4, and 5 vs 5). METHODS: Ten regional-level male basketball players performed 6 full-court GBD formats (each consisting of 3 bouts of 4 min and 2 min rest) on multiple occasions. The physiological and perceptual responses were measured through heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Video-based time-motion analysis was performed to assess the GBD physical demands. The frequencies of occurrence and the duration were calculated for high-intensity, moderate-intensity, low-intensity, and recovery activities. Technical demands were assessed with a notional-analysis technique. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess statistical differences between GBD formats. RESULTS: A greater perceptual response (rating of perceived exertion) was recorded during 3 versus 3 than 5 versus 5 formats (P = .005). Significant interactions were observed for the number of recovery (P = .021), low-intensity activity (P = .007), and all movements (P = .001) completed. Greater time was spent performing low-intensity and high-intensity activities during RD than ND format. Greater technical demands were observed for several variables during 3 versus 3 than 4 versus 4 or 5 versus 5. A greater number of turnovers (P = .027), total (P ≤ .001), and correct passes (P ≤ .001) were recorded during ND than RD format. CONCLUSIONS: The number of players predominantly affected the perceptual response to GBD, while both the number of players and rule modification (RD vs ND) affected activities performed during GBD. Reducing the number of players increases the GBD technical elements, while ND format promotes a greater number of turnovers and passes.