Position-Dependent Cardiovascular Response and Time-Motion Analysis During Training Drills and Friendly Matches in Elite Male Basketball Players.

The purpose of this study was to measure differences in the cardiovascular workload (heart rate [HR]) and time-motion demands between positional groups, during numerous basketball training drills, and compare the results with in-game competition demands. A convenience sample of 14 top-level professional basketball players from the same club (Spanish First Division, ACB) participated in the study. A total of 146 basketball exercises per player (performed over an 8-week period in 32 team training sessions throughout the competitive season) and 7 friendly matches (FM) played during the preparatory phase were analyzed. The results reveal that HRavg and HRpeak were the highest in FM (158 ± 10; 198 ± 9 b · min(-1), respectively). Time-motion analysis showed 1v1 to be the most demanding drill (53 ± 8 and 46 ± 12 movements per minute for full and half court, respectively). During FM, players performed 33 ± 7 movements per minute. Positional differences exist for both HR and time-motion demands, ranging from moderate to very large for all basketball drills compared with FM. Constraints such as number of players, court size, work-to-rest ratios, and coach intervention are key factors influencing cardiovascular responses and time-motion demands during basketball training sessions. These results demonstrate that systematic monitoring of the physical demands and physiological responses during training and competition can inform and potentially improve coaching strategy, basketball-specific training drills, and ultimately, match performance.

Exploring Game Performance in the National Basketball Association Using Player Tracking Data.

Recent player tracking technology provides new information about basketball game performance. The aim of this study was to (i) compare the game performances of all-star and non all-star basketball players from the National Basketball Association (NBA), and (ii) describe the different basketball game performance profiles based on the different game roles. Archival data were obtained from all 2013-2014 regular season games (n = 1230). The variables analyzed included the points per game, minutes played and the game actions recorded by the player tracking system. To accomplish the first aim, the performance per minute of play was analyzed using a descriptive discriminant analysis to identify which variables best predict the all-star and non all-star playing categories. The all-star players showed slower velocities in defense and performed better in elbow touches, defensive rebounds, close touches, close points and pull-up points, possibly due to optimized attention processes that are key for perceiving the required appropriate environmental information. The second aim was addressed using a k-means cluster analysis, with the aim of creating maximal different performance profile groupings. Afterwards, a descriptive discriminant analysis identified which variables best predict the different playing clusters. The results identified different playing profile of performers, particularly related to the game roles of scoring, passing, defensive and all-round game behavior. Coaching staffs may apply this information to different players, while accounting for individual differences and functional variability, to optimize practice planning and, consequently, the game performances of individuals and teams.

Hormonas y baloncesto (II) / Hormones and basketball (II)

Cualquier agente estresor suficientemente prolongado provoca una alteración del sistema endocrino (Síndrome General de Adaptación).El objetivo de esta alteración es responder de la forma más eficiente para preservar el equilibrio del organismo (movilizando reservas energéticas y recursos proteicos, adaptando la respuesta inmunitaria y/o alterando respuestas neuronales).Algunas hormonas desempeñan su principal función durante el período de recuperación: testosterona, hormonas tiroideas, hormona de crecimiento, insulina o cortisol son fundamentales en el control de la síntesis adaptativa de proteínas. La primera publicación sobre sistema endocrino y baloncesto se remonta a 1976, pero el punto de inflexión en este tipo de estudios se dio en el año 2000. Las hormonas más ampliamente estudiadas son la testosterona y el cortisol, analizadas habitualmente mediante extracción sanguínea. El hecho de que no haya una unidad de medida estandarizada para cada hormona hace más complejo aunar conclusiones: el uso de gramoso moles hace que difieran mucho los resultados, sobre todo cuando se emplean índices, ratioso cocientes (p.e. la ratio testosterona/cortisol).En el mismo sentido, homogeneizar el uso de la fracción libre o total de cada hormona facilitará la interpretación de distintas investigaciones. Por otro lado es importante diferenciar los estudios en función del efecto del ejercicio que están estudiando(agudo, retardado o acumulado), pues conocer el efecto agudo o retardado nos ayudará a conocer la exigencia de ese ejercicio o actividad(entrenamiento o partido) y conocer el efecto acumulado nos proporcionará información respecto a cómo está asimilando el jugador un período de tiempo entrenando y/o competiendo (...) (AU)

Any sufficiently long stressor agent causes an alteration of the endocrine system (General Adaptation Syndrome). The purpose of this change is to respond efficiently to preserve the balance of the organism (mobilizing energy reserves and protein resources, adapting the immune response and / or altering neural responses). Some hormones play their main role during the recovery period: testosterone, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, insulinor cortisol are fundamental in controlling the adaptive protein synthesis. The first publication about endocrine system and basketball dates back to 1976, even if the turning point in this type of studies came in2000. The most thoroughly studied hormones are Testosterone and Cortisol, usually analyzed through blood sampling. The fact that there is no standardized measurement unit for each of these hormones makes difficult to reach to conclusions: the use of grams or moles causes differences in the results, mostly when indexes, ratios or quotients are being employed (i.e. Testosterone/Cortisol ratio). Similarly, the homogenization of the use of the free or total fraction of each hormone would help with the interpretation of separate investigations. On the other hand, it is necessary to differentiate the studies depending on the effect of the exercise that is being studied (acute, retarded or accumulated), given that knowing this effect will provide us with information on how the player is assimilating the training/competition period (...) (AU)

Variación de la ratio testosterona-cortisol en jugadores de élite de baloncesto / Variation of the testosterone-cortisol ratio in elite basketball players

Actualmente, en el baloncesto profesional, la alta exigencia de la competición y del entrenamiento requiere de un segui Controlar dicho impacto facilitará el conocimiento de los procesos de recuperación de los deportistas y permitirá un mejor diseño de la dinámica de cargas de forma individualizada. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de los niveles séricos de Testosterona total (T), Cortisol total (C) y Ratio T/C a lo largo de la temporada. Metodología: Se analizaron 8 muestras de sangre durante una temporada en un equipo profesional de baloncesto (n=8) de la 1ª División Española (ACB). Realizándose cada 4-6 semanas, a las 8:00 AM, tras 24 o 36 horas de recuperación post-partido. Resultados: La T desciende significativamente al finalizarla temporada, tanto en valores de concentración, 8ª vs. 2ª (-4.4 n Mol/l, p=0.010), 8ª vs. 3ª (-4.9 n Mol/l, p=0.004) y8ª vs. 6ª (-6.8 n Mol/l, p=0.013); como en los valores de %de variación 8ª vs. 2ª (-0.221%, p=0.034), 8ª vs. 3ª (-0.239, p=0.010). El C y la ratio T/C no presentan variaciones significativas a lo largo de la temporada. Conclusiones: Tanto los valores de concentración como los de % de variación son útiles para describir los parámetros estudiados. La T puede ser un posible indicador del estado del jugador e incluso podrían justificar, junto con otros indicadores, intervenciones necesarias para optimizar las cargas de entrenamiento de forma individual. Futuras investigaciones deberán comparar estas variaciones con parámetros objetivos de carga de entrenamiento y/u otros moduladores hormonales (AU)

Nowadays, in elite basketball, the high demands of competition and training require a detailed follow-up of the effects on the player’s performance and health. Controlling these effects could improve the knowledge about the players’ recovery process and allow a better design of their individual workloads. Aim: To describe the behavior of the total testosterone serum levels (T), cortisol (C) and T/C ratio. Methodology: 8 blood samples were collected during the whole season of an elite basketball team (n=8) of the First Spanish Division (ACB). The samples were taken every4-6 weeks, at 8:00 AM, after 24-36 hours of post-game recovery. Results: T decreases significantly at the end of the season in concentration values, 8th vs. 2nd (-4.4 n Mol/l, p=0.010), 8th vs. 3rd (-4.9 n Mol/l, p=0.004) and 8th vs. 6th (-6.8 n Mol/l, p=0.013), as well as in percentage (%) of variation, 8thvs. 2nd (-0.221%, p=0.034), 8th vs. 3rd (-0.239, p=0.010). C and T/C ratio do not show significant variations along the season. Conclusions: Concentration values as well as percentages of variation are useful indicators to describe the studied parameters. T could be used as a recovery state indicator and could even induce, in conjunction with other indicators, necessary actions to optimize individual workloads. Future investigations should compare these variations to objective workload parameters and/or other hormonal modulators (AU)