Temporal changes in physiological and performance responses across game-specific simulated basketball activity

Purpose: The aims of this study were to:(1) provide a comprehensive physiological profile of simulated basketball activity and(2) identify temporal changes in player responses in controlled settings.Methods: State-level male basketball players(n = 10) completed 4 × 10 min simulated quarters of basketball activity using a reliable and valid courtbased test. A range of physiological(ratings of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration([BLa~—]), blood glucose concentration([BGlu]), heart rate(HR), and hydration) and physical(performance and fatigue indicators for sprint, circuit, and jump activity) measures were collected across testing.Results: Significantly reduced [BLa~—](6.19 ± 2.30 vs. 4.57 ± 2.33 mmol/L; p = 0.016) and [BGlu](6.91 ± 1.57 vs. 5.25 ± 0.81 mmol/L;p = 0.009) were evident in the second half. A mean HR of 180.1 ± 5.7 beats/min(90.8% ± 4.0% HR max) was observed, with a significant increase in vigorous activity(77%—95% HR max)(11.31 ± 6.91 vs. 13.50 ± 6.75 min; p = 0.024) and moderate decrease in near-maximal activity(>95% HR_(max))(7.24 ± 7.45 vs. 5.01 ± 7.20 min) in the second half. Small increases in performance times accompanied by a significantly lower circuit decrement(11.67% ± 5.55% vs. 7.30% ± 2.16%; p = 0.032) were apparent in the second half.Conclusion: These data indicate basketball activity imposes higher physiological demands than previously thought and temporal changes in responses might be due to adapted pacing strategies as well as fatigue-mediated mechanisms.

The effects of plyometric jump training on physical fitness attributes in basketball players:A meta-analysis`

Background:There is a growing body of experimental evidence examining the effects of plyometric jump training(PJT)on physical fitness attributes in basketball players;however,this evidence has not yet been comprehensively and systematically aggregated.Therefore,our objective was to meta-analyze the effects of PJT on physical fitness attributes in basketball players,in comparison to a control condition.Methods:A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed,Web of Science,and Scopus,up to July 2020.Peer-reviewed controlled trials with baseline and follow-up measurements investigating the effects of PJT on physical fitness attributes(muscle power,i.e.,jumping performance,linear sprint speed,change-of-direction speed,balance,and muscle strength)in basketball players,with no restrictions on their playing level,sex,or age.Hedge’s g effect sizes(ES)were calculated for physical fitness variables.Using a random-effects model,potential sources of heterogeneity were selected,including subgroup analyses(age,sex,body mass,and height)and single training factor analysis(program duration,training frequency,and total number of training sessions).Computation of metaregression was also performed.Results:Thirty-two studies were included,involving 818 total basketball players.Significant(p<0.05)small-to-large effects of PJT were evident on vertical jump power(ES=0.45),countermovement jump height with(ES=1.24)and without arm swing(ES=0.88),squat jump height(ES=0.80),drop jump height(ES=0.53),horizontal jump distance(ES=0.65),linear sprint time across distances≤10 m(ES=1.67)and>10 m(ES=0.92),change-of-direction performance time across distances≤40 m(ES=1.15)and>40 m(ES=1.02),dynamic(ES=1.16)and static balance(ES=1.48),and maximal strength(ES=0.57).The meta-regression revealed that training duration,training frequency,and total number of sessions completed did not predict the effects of PJT on physical fitness attributes.Subgroup analysis indicated greater improvements in older compared to younger players in horizontal jump distance(>17.15 years,ES=2.11;≤17.15 years,ES=0.10;p<0.001),linear sprint time>10 m(>16.3 years,ES=1.83;≤16.3 years,ES=0.36;p=0.010),and change-of-direction performance time≤40 m(>16.3 years,ES=1.65;≤16.3 years,ES=0.75;p=0.005).Greater increases in horizontal jump distance were apparent with>2 compared with≤2 weekly PJT sessions(ES=2.12 and ES=0.39,respectively;p<0.001).Conclusion:Data from 32 studies(28 of which demonstrate moderate-to-high methodological quality)indicate PJT improves muscle power,linear sprint speed,change-of-direction speed,balance,and muscle strength in basketball players independent of sex,age,or PJT program variables.However,the beneficial effects of PJT as measured by horizontal jump distance,linear sprint time>10 m,and change-of-direction performance time≤40 m,appear to be more evident among older basketball players.