Neuromuscular Performance Following Back-to-Back Simulated Games In Women’s Collegiate Basketball Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of back-to-back simulated games on neuromuscular performance in collegiate women’s basketball players. METHODS: Eight NCAA women’s basketball players engaged in two consecutive simulated games separated by 24 hours. Participants performed the countermovement jump (CMJ) before (Pre-Game 1 = PreG1; Pre-Game 2 = PreG2) and after (Post-Game 1 = PostG1; Post-Game 2 = PostG2) each simulated game and 48 hours (Post-Game 2 = 48Post) after PostG2. Internal (iTL) and external training load(s) (eTL) were captured during each game. A paired t-test was used to examine game differences in iTL and eTL. One-way repeated measures analyses of variance were used to detect differences in Concentric Mean Force (ConcMF), Jump Height (JH), Contraction Time (CT), and Reactive Strength Index-Modified (RSIMod), with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated for pairwise comparisons and interpreted as trivial (0-0.19), small (0.20-0.49), medium (0.50-0.79), and large (≥0.80). RESULTS: No significant differences were detected in eTL volume (PlayerLoad (PL), p = 0.074) or intensity (PL/min = 0.379), but significantly greater iTL was observed in G1 compared to G2 with greater Training Impulse (p = 0.002) and average heart rate (p = 0.001). Significant differences appeared across time in ConcMF (p = 0.007), JH (p = 0.001), and RSIMod (p = 0.050), but not CT (p = 0.356). Pairwise comparisons revealed significant decreases in JH from PreG1(28.3 ± 4.2) to PostG2 (25.8 ± 3.03 cm, p = 0.036, d = 0.69). While not significant (p > 0.05) a large effect for decreases in JH was observed from PreG1 to 48Post (p = 0.082, d = 0.8). ConcMF significantly decreased from PostG1 (1730.1 ± 177.3 N) to 48Post (1636.9 ± 131.6 N, p = 0.05, d = 0.41). RSIMod displayed significant reductions at 48Post (0.435 ± 0.12) compared to both PreG1 (0.50 ± 0.12, p = 0.001, d = 0.58) and PostG2 (0.46 ± 0.10, p = 0.015, d = 0.43). While not significant RSIMod displayed a moderate decrease from PreG1 to PostG1 (d = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest back-to-back gameplay suppresses CMJ performance with large deficits in JH and explosiveness (RSIMod) manifesting 48 hours after the completion of play. Interestingly, it appears deficits in explosiveness may result from a change in gross output (JH) rather than alterations in movement strategy (CT).