Accelerometer Load During Basketball Drills In Professional Basketball Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the player load (accelerometer data expressed per minute; AL.min) during basketball-specific training drills, according to different confrontation formats and court size, in professional basketball players. METHODS: A convenience sample of twelve professional male basketball players (Spanish 1st Division; ACB), participated in the study. Data were collected during training sessions over 4 weeks. Acceleration data, interpreted as external load, were obtained from a tri-axial accelerometer at 100Hz frequency. Specific-ball-drill exercises, the SSGs and the 5v5 scrimmage in full court were analyzed. RESULTS: The higher values were identified when playing 3v3 and 5v5 scrimmage drills in full court (18.7±4.1, 17.9±4.6, respectively), and the lowest when playing 4v4 (13.8±2.5). Differences ranged between small and moderate, with most likely lower values in 2v2 compared with 3v3 and 5v5 (EF ± 90% CL: -31.1; ±12.7; and −29.3; ±10.6, respectively), and 4v4 compared with 5v5 (-29.5; ±7.3). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the specific requirements of a range of exercises typically performed in basketball sessions. The use of accelerometer data it is presented as a reliable and useful tool in monitoring the training of an indoor sport like basketball. It also shows that systematic monitoring of the physical demands during training would likely improve coaching and basketball-specific training drills.