Female Professional Basketball Players Research Articles

Monitoring training load and perceived recovery indicators during the preseason and in-season phases in professional female basketball players.

During the basketball season, it is essential to carefully plan training and recovery activities to optimize players' performance. This study monitored training load and perceived recovery indicators in professional female basketball players across the preseason and in-season phases. Seventeen professional female basketball players (age: 19.6±3.1 years; height: 180.2±5.9 cm; playing position: 8 backcourt, 9 frontcourt) were monitored for eleven consecutive weeks. Each morning, players reported their perceived recovery using a 10-point Total Quality of Recovery (TQR) Scale. After each training session or game, players reported their perceived exertion using the CR-10 Scale, which was multiplied by the duration of the training or game to obtain the session load. Weekly load, monotony, strain, TQR<inf>AM</inf> (morning recovery) and TQR<inf>fw</inf> (recovery at the start of the following week) were calculated. Linear mixed models were performed to assess the effects of season phase (preseason; in-season), playing position (backcourt; frontcourt) and group (senior; under) on load and recovery variables. Weekly load, monotony and strain were higher in the preseason than the in-season phase (all P<0.001, ES: moderate-large). Strain was higher in senior players compared to under (P=0.045, ES: small). Regarding recovery variables, no effects were found for TQR<inf>AM</inf>, while TQR<inf>fw</inf> was higher in the preseason than in-season (P<0.001, ES: moderate) phase. Professional female basketball players experience lower internal loads but poorer perceived recovery during the in-season phase. Practitioners should carefully consider the stress of competition and the cumulative fatigue from high preseason loads during the transition from the preseason to the regular season.

Comparison of the Saccadic Eye Movement Ability of Female Professional Basketball Players and Non-Athletes

Athletes, particularly ball game players, benefit from focusing on fast-moving visual targets. In this study, we hypothesized that athletes, specifically professional basketball players, exhibit more accurate saccadic eye movements compared to non-athletes. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the eye movements of eight female professional basketball players from the Niigata Albirex BB (basketball player group) and compared them to eight sex-matched healthy volunteers from a previous study. Eye movements were measured using the Eye Score device. The visual target moved continuously for 20 s at a speed of 100 degrees/s in regular triangular wave-like movements horizontally. The subjects tracked the visual targets with maximum accuracy. The total amplitudes of evoked eye movements during tracking were 37.96 ± 0.82 for the basketball player group and 27.74 ± 2.55 deg (mean ± SEM) for the non-athlete group, indicating a significant difference. These findings suggest that basketball players may achieve accurate saccades by employing predictive saccades. The saccades of the basketball players were concentrated at the fifth frame (0.17 s after the onset of target motion), exhibiting a more peaked distribution than the normal curve. The results imply that athletes may execute predictive saccades when tracking targets with predictable movements, even outside of actual competition.

Pupillometry as a new window to player fatigue? A glimpse inside the eyes of a Euro Cup Women's Basketball team.

A rapidly emerging area of interest in high-pressure environments is that of pupillometry, where handheld quantitative infrared pupillometers (HQIPs) are able to track psycho-physiological fatigue in a fast, objective, valid, reliable, and non-invasive manner. However, the application of HQIPs in the context of athlete monitoring is yet to be determined. Therefore, the main aim of this pilot study was to examine the potential usefulness of a HQIP to monitor game-induced fatigue inside a professional female basketball setting by determining its (1) test-retest repeatability, (2) relationship with other biomarkers of game-induced fatigue, and (3) time-course from rested to fatigued states. A non-ophthalmologic practitioner performed a standardized Pupil Light Reflex (PLR) test using a medically graded HQIP among 9 professional female basketball players (2020-2021 Euro Cup) at baseline, 24-h pre-game (GD-1), 24-h post-game (GD+1) and 48-h post-game (GD+2). This was repeated over four subsequent games, equalling a total of 351 observations per eye. Two out of seven pupillometrics displayed good ICCs (0.95-0.99) (MinD and MaxD). Strong significant relationships were found between MaxD, MinD, and all registered biomarkers of game-induced fatigue (r = 0.69-0.82, p < 0.05), as well as between CV, MCV, and cognitive, lower-extremity muscle, and physiological fatigue markers (r = 0.74-0.76, p < 0.05). Three pupillometrics were able to detect a significant difference between rested and fatigued states. In particular, PC (right) (F = 5.173, η2 = 0.115 p = 0.028) and MCV (right) (F = 3.976, η2 = 0.090 p = 0.049) significantly decreased from baseline to GD+2, and LAT (left) (F = 4.023, η2 = 0.109 p = 0.009) significantly increased from GD-1 to GD+2. HQIPs have opened a new window of opportunity for monitoring game-induced fatigue in professional female basketball players. However, future research initiatives across larger and heterogenous samples, and longer investigation periods, are required to expand upon these preliminary findings.

여자 프로농구선수의 역경 극복을 위한 대처 방법 탐색

여자 프로농구선수의 역경 극복을 위한 대처 방법 탐색

Determining the Relationship between Physical Capacities, Metabolic Capacities, and Dynamic Three-Point Shooting Accuracy in Professional Female Basketball Players

Three-point shooting plays an important role in determining the outcomes of basketball games and could be relevant for player selection. However, there has been little research into the relationship between basketball players’ physical capacities, metabolic capacities, and three-point shooting accuracy, particularly among female players. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical capacities, metabolic capacities, and dynamic three-point shooting accuracy in female professional basketball players. Twelve female professional basketball players from the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) league (age: 19.04 ± 1.31 years, height: 181.33 ± 4.90 cm, playing experience: 7.83 ± 1.7 years) were recruited for this study. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression analysis were run to assess the relationship between physical capacities, metabolic capacities, and dynamic three-point shooting. Results showed that coordination, balance, core strength, and relative average power were positively correlated with three-point shooting accuracy (r &gt; 0.58, p &lt; 0.05), while no other variables showed significant correlations. The current study suggests that coaching staff should consider coordination, balance, core strength, and anaerobic capacities when selecting players as well as in their training periodization if three-point shooting accuracy is considered relevant.

A brief body scan mindfulness practice has no positive effect on the recovery of heart rate variability and cognitive tasks in female professional basketball players.

In this study, we examined the acute effects of a short video-based body scan mindfulness practice on the heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive performance of professional female basketball players after the first half of a simulated basketball game. In this crossover randomized controlled trial, nine professional athletes completed a physical loading protocol on two separate days. The protocol consisted of a 10-min Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 in the first quarter, followed by a 10-min basketball game in the second quarter. Immediately afterward, they were asked to engage in a 10-min mindfulness practice or watch a 10-min nature-based documentary as a type of mental intervention. Their HRV, Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index 2 (NASA TLX-2), and Go/No-Go test scores were recorded immediately before and after the physical loading and after the mental intervention. The physical demand, effort, and frustration level subscales of the NASA TLX-2 and the RPE scores were found to be significantly higher after the physical loading, and they returned to the baseline level after both types of mental intervention. The Go/No-Go test scores did not differ depending on the measurement time. All time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability parameters, except the low-to-high frequency ratio, were found to be significantly high immediately after the physical loading protocol. However, these parameters returned to their initial levels after both types of mental intervention. Completing the tests involved in the study protocol successfully induced physical fatigue, as evidenced by consistent measurement tools, but the one-time and short-term mindfulness practice had no additional benefits for the recovery of heart rate variability, cognitive tasks, or subjective assessment methods, such as RPE and NASA TLX-2, in basketball players with no previous experience of mindfulness practice.

Innovative Protocols for Determining the Non-Reactive Agility of Female Basketball Players Based on Familiarization and Validity Tests

The aim of this study was to implement a familiarization protocol and to determine the constructive validity of four different non-reactive agility tests on a sample of professional female basketball players (n = 12; age: 18.17 ± 1.90 years). Following the protocol, the participants performed standardized tests three times (the Agility t-test and the Sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m with 180° Turns), while the lateral agility, universal agility, frontal agility, and semicircular agility tests were repeated five times each, with a three-minute rest period between each repetition. A single-factor analysis of variance for repeated measures (ANOVA) determined significant differences between a series of test repetitions for familiarization. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the samples based on the results of the standardized tests into two groups. A t-test for independent samples determined a significant difference between these groups (p &lt; 0.05) on all four tests (lateral, universal, frontal, and semicircular agility). Pearson’s linear correlation determined a correlation between the results of the standardized agility tests and the lateral, universal, frontal, and semicircular agility tests, with correlation coefficients ranging from r = 0.936 to r = 0.987. A high value was observed for the discriminant analysis (0.821), while the maximum value was observed for the Kendall coefficient of concordance (W = 1). The study confirmed the validity of the applied tests and determined that the results are influenced by the number of series performed during the preparation for testing. In practice, it is necessary to perform two series of universal and frontal agility tests, i.e., four series of repetitions of lateral and semicircular agility tests in professional women’s basketball.

Does high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation change brain electrical activity in professional female basketball players during free-throw shooting?

Differentiated brain activation in high-performance athletes supports neuronal mechanisms relevant to sports performance. Preparation for the motor action involves cortical and sub-cortical regions that can be non-invasively modulated by electrical current stimulation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on electrical brain activity in professional female basketball players during free-throw shooting. Successful free-throw shooting (n = 2,361) from seven professional female basketball players was analyzed during two experimental conditions (HD-tDCS cathodic and sham) separated by 72 h. Three spectral bio-markers, Power Ratio Index (PRI), Delta Alpha Ratio (DAR), and Theta Beta Ratio (TBR) were measured (electroencephalography [EEG] Brain Products). Multi-channel HD-tDCS was applied for 20 min, considering current location and intensity for cathodic stimulation: FCC1h, AFF5h, AFF1h (-0.5 mA each), and FCC5h (ground). The within EEG analyses (pre and post HD-tDCS) of frontal channels (Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, FC1, FC3) for 1 second epoch pre-shooting, showed increases in PRI (p < 0.001) and DAR (p < 0.001) for HD-tDCS cathodic condition, and in TBR for both conditions (cathodic, p = 0.01; sham, p = 0.002). Sub-group analysis divided the sample into less (n = 3; LSG) and more (n = 4; MSG) stable free-throw-shooting performers and revealed that increases in pre to post HD-tDCS in PRI only occurred for the LSG. These results suggest that the effect of HD-tDCS may induce changes in slow frontal frequency brain activities and that this alteration seems to be greater for players demonstrating a less stable free-throw shooting performance.

Transcranial direct current stimulation during a prolonged cognitive task: the effect on cognitive and shooting performances in professional female basketball players

The negative effect of prolonged cognitive demands on psychomotor skills in athletes has been demonstrated. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could be used to mitigate this effect. This study examined the effects of tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during a 30-min inhibitory Stroop task on cognitive and shooting performances of professional female basketball players. Following a randomised, double-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over design, players were assigned to receive anodal tDCS (a-tDCS, 2 mA for 20 min) or sham-tDCS in two different sessions. Data from 8 players were retained for analysis. Response Time decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001; partial η 2 = 0.44; no effect of condition, or condition vs. time interaction). No difference in mean accuracy and shooting performance was observed between tDCS conditions. The results suggest that a-tDCS exert no additional benefits in reducing the negative effects of prolonged cognitive demands on technical performance compared to sham (placebo). Practitioner summary: Prolonged cognitive demands can negatively affect the athletes' performance. We tested whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) could attenuate these effects on cognitive and shooting performance in professional female basketball players. However, tDCS did not exert any additional benefits compared to sham. Abbreviations: tDCS: transcranial direct current stimulation; a-tDCS: anodal transcranial direct current stimulation; PFC: prefrontal cortex; DLPFC: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; PCT: prolonged cognitive task; TT: time trial; RT: response time; NASA-TLX: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index; RPE: ratings of perceived exertion; CR-10 scale: category rating scale; EEG: electroencephalogram; AU: arbitrary units.

Bilateral asymmetry of hamstring to quadriceps isokinetic torque ratio in different angular velocities in professional basketball players

BackgroundBilateral symmetry evaluation in lower limb is used for injury prevention, and is an indicator of returning to post-injury activity. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of different angular velocities on asymmetry of the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio. MethodIsokinetic concentric hamstring to quadriceps (H:Q) peak torque ratio of the 27 male and female professional basketball players was measured at seven angular velocities (60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 180, 240, 300 deg s−1) on both dominant and non-dominant legs with Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of angular velocity and limb side on our outcomes (p≤ 0.05). ResultsThe results showed that with increasing angular velocity, the ratio of hamstrings to quadriceps increases (p = 0.001). There was no difference between dominant and non-dominant limbs in the H:Q peak torque ratio (p = 0.254). In addition, velocity of measurement did not affect the bilateral asymmetry of peak torque ratio of the H:Q of both sides (p = 0.852). ConclusionsBased on the results of this study, it can be concluded that measurement velocity does not affect the bilateral asymmetry of the H:Q peak torque ratio of the dominant and non-dominant limbs. In clinical assessments of H:Q bilateral asymmetry, we suggest that physical trainer can assess bilateral asymmetry of H:Q with arbitrary angular velocities.

Effects of Hypopressive Exercise on Posterior Back Chain Kinematics and Pulmonary Function in Professional Female Basketball Players.

Hypopressive exercise (HE) has been used as an alternative lumbo-pelvic injury prevention program and claimed to be a means of respiratory and flexibility improvement. However, the possible effects of HE on athletic populations and physical performance remain unclear. Examine the effects of a HE program on posterior back chain kinematics, thoracic mobility, pulmonary function, and lower lumbar pain in female basketball players over an 8-week training period. Prospective (1)baseline, (2)midpoint (4 wk), and (3)after 8 weeks. Sports field. A total of 17 professional female basketball players (mean age 20.7y, SD: 3.50; body mass index, 21.71, SD: 1.69). Participants performed 8 HE weekly sessions of 30minutes. Back chain kinematics was assessed with the sit and reach and finger to floor test, and back pain was assessed through numerical rating scale. Respiratory parameters were assessed by spirometry and through thoracic mobility. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the 3 measurement periods for thoracic mobility (P > .01); forced expiratory volume in the first second (P < .05) while no statistical differences were found for the rest of spirometry outcomes. Significant differences were also revealed between baseline and after the intervention for the sit and reach test (P > .01), peak expiratory flow (P = .01), and forced expiratory volume in the first 25seconds (P = .04). Also, significant differences between weeks were found in levels of lumbar pain (P = .003) and the finger to floor test (P = .002). These preliminary findings suggest that a HE program can improve posterior back chain and chest wall kinematics as well as lower lumbar pain levels. However, no gains seem to be observed for the majority of pulmonary variables except for peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in the first seconds.

Evaluation of the Rate of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Basketball Players and Appropriate Training Patterns to Prevent Non-contact Injury

Background and Aims The most essential and common sports injury in the lower limb in many sports fields is the injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Knowledge in this field and appropriate exercise programs can help prevent this injury for all athletes and coaches. The present research aims to investigate the prevalence of this injury in different sports fields and the results of various training programs in reducing the risk of injury to ACL. Methods The current review was conducted using international information resources, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, ProQuest, Emerald Insight, ScienceDirect, Springer, Web of knowledge, and internal information resources including Magiran, Civilica, SID, and Iran Medex were applied. The research date range was defined between 2000 to 2020. In international articles, keywords such as Single-leg Landing, Landing, Injury, Knee injury, Drop-landing, Training, Exercise, ACL, and in domestic papers, keywords such as ACL, Knee Injury, Single-leg Landing, Jump, Land, and Training program were considered. According to the exclusion criteria, only 42 articles were selected and examined out of 220. Results Women with this injury are more affected at all skill levels, so at the professional skill level, women were affected up to 5 times more than men, and at the amateur level, the infection rate is about 3 to 4 times higher. The highest incidence is related to women professional basketball players with a speed of 5.5 per 1000 athletes training, and the lowest is among amateur male athletes with a rate of 0.02 with the same criteria. Of the articles reviewed in the appropriate injury prevention training program, 32% examined the effect of neuromuscular training, 18% combined training, 26% strength training, and 24% central core stability training. With 80% effectiveness, core stability training seems to be the most effective injury prevention program. Conclusion Considering the rate of this injury and the impact of this injury on treatment costs, the duration of returning to exercise, and creating the ground for other injuries, a comprehensive review of exercises effective in preventing this injury for athletes and coaches it’s important. This is especially important for professional female basketball players due to the incidence rate. The central core stability training program had the most practical effect among the training programs. The combined training program had the least impact according to different criteria for assessing and preventing injury.

The Effect of the Neuromuscular, Strength, and Combined Training on Balance and Performance in Female Basketball Players

Purpose: This investigation aimed to compare the effect of neuromuscular, strength, and combined training on dynamic balance and sports performance, including power, sprint, and agility in female basketball players. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 42 female professional basketball players (age: 19-25 years) were assigned to three groups of Neuromuscular (NM), Strength (ST), and Combined training (CM), and one control group. The Multivariate Analysis of the Variance (MANOVA) was used to compare between-groups data. Dynamic balance and performance measurements (vertical jump, agility, and sprint) of athletes were assessed before and after six weeks of intervention by Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), Sargent vertical jump device, Shuttle Run device, and sprint 27-meter test. Results: Results of the MANOVA showed all between-group differences for dynamic balance, sprint, and agility were only significant between the control group and NM, ST, and CM groups (P≤0.05). In addition, the CM group was significantly different compared to the NM and ST groups (P≤0.05). Balance and high jump within-group differences showed a significant increase in the NM, ST, and CM groups in the high jump variable (P≤0.05). For sprint and agility, within-group results showed a significant decrease in the NM, ST, and CM groups (P≤0.05). Besides, the larger effect size was seen in the combined group for all variables. Conclusion: It seems that neuromuscular, strength, and combined training is similarly effective in improving the balance and functional performance of female basketball athletes and there is not a significant difference between them.

The Relationship Between Reactive Agility and Change of Direction Speed in Professional Female Basketball and Handball Players.

Assessing the physical ability of players to perform change of direction and the cognitive and motor abilities revealed in reactive agility (RA) is necessary to understand the physical requirements and capabilities of professional players in handball and basketball. The main aim of this study was to determine the differences between professional female basketball and handball players in terms of anthropometric features, change of direction speed (CODS), and the RA task. Moreover, the relationships among anthropometric features, agility, and parameters of perception were determined. Two scenarios of the Five-Time Shuttle Run to Gates test (planned and unplanned) were used to evaluate the CODS and RA. The response time (RT) was also measured in the unplanned scenario. Additionally, the index of reactivity (REAC-INDEX) was specified as the difference between the RA test result and the measurement of CODS. There was a significant difference found in terms of body height, with basketball players being taller than handball players (p = 0.032). Professional female handball players achieved better results than professional female basketball players with regard to RA tasks (p = 0.01) and CODS (p = 0.041). Significant simple correlations between each anthropometric feature (body height, body mass) and values for CODS and RA were observed (r = 0.49–0.53). Applying partial correlation allowed for the assessment of actual relationships among CODS, RA, RT, and REAC-INDEX, without a confounding variable. Detaching the anthropometric parameters from the rest of the relationships resulted in maintenance or changes in r-values and an increased significance in the relationships between each pair: RA vs. RT, RA vs. REAC-INDEX, and RT vs. REAC-INDEX. The strongest associations were related to RT vs. REAC-INDEX (r = 0.97 at detaching body height or body mass, p < 0.001) and CODS vs. RA (r = 0.66 at detaching body height and r = −0.67 at detaching body mass, p < 0.001). It is recommended to use partial correlations in subsequent studies, as simple correlations are not reliable and may not reveal the apparent relationships between the variables. In addition, when determining the CODS and RA, it is suggested to take anthropometric and perception variables into account, such as reaction time or REAC-INDEX.

Does fatigue affect the kinematics of shooting in female basketball?

ABSTRACT Few studies investigated the influence of fatigue on the change of kinematic parameters in basketball shooting regarding female players. This study aimed to determine the difference of kinematics in basketball jump shot between non-fatigue and fatigue conditions. Thirty-two professional female basketball players volunteered to take part in the study (age: 22.11 ± 4.92 years; height: 173.99 ± 7.06 cm; weight: 67.89 ± 5.65 kg). 3D motion analysis using an inertial suit and a smart ball were performed for measuring the kinematic parameters. The results demonstrated that there were no significant differences in angular velocity of ankle, knee and hip joints. Conversely, differences in angular velocity of elbow (p = 0.036) and wrist (p = 0.002) were detected. In addition, the results showed that the release height and entry angle of the ball significantly decreased in fatigue condition, suggesting that coaches need to include in the training process exercise that is similar in terms of fatigue and performance to the situational condition during the game as these two variables play an important role in the determination of shooting efficiency.

Home-based training program during the SARS-CoV-2 quarantine: training load, motivation, and wellbeing in professional elite female basketball players.

Due to the quarantine caused by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), professional team-sports adapted their training routine to maintain the athletes' performance and minimize the negative emotional effects. The aim of the present study was to describe a home-based training program and extra-activities applied during the quarantine in elite professional female basketball players, and to compare the internal training load (ITL), session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), motivation, and wellbeing responses before and during the quarantine. Nine female elite players (25.7±7.0 years; 180.0±8.0 cm; 79.0±11.0 kg) belonging to a professional basketball team performed a home-based training program during the quarantine. ITL, s-RPE, training motivation, and wellbeing were examined before (phase 1), at the beginning (phase 2), and during (phase 3) the quarantine. ITL was higher (main effect) in phase 1 (449.5±62.8 a.u.) compared to phase 2 (265.5±39.0 a.u.) and phase 3 (423.1±18.7 a.u.); s-RPE was higher in phase 1 (4.50±0.63 a.u.) compared to phase 2 (3.8±0.6 a.u.), but not to phase 3 (4.37±0.79 a.u.). Motivation was higher in phase 1 (3.6±0.3 a.u.) compared to phase 2 (2.3±0.6 a.u.) and phase 3 (2.4±0.5 a.u.). The results of the study demonstrated that extra-activities involving online athletes' socialization were implemented to rouse the motivation, but the quarantine period induced a reduction in ITL and influenced the player's training motivation.

Redox Homeostasis and Metabolic Profile in Young Female Basketball Players during in-Season Training

Background: Most studies on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant levels have been conducted in male athletes, although female participation in sport has increased rapidly in the past few decades. In particular, it could be important to assess oxidative stress markers in relation to the training load because the anaerobic path becomes predominant in high-intensity actions. Methods: Ten female professional basketball players, performing five 2 h-lasting training sessions per week, and 10 sedentary control women were investigated. Capillary blood and saliva samples were collected in the morning before the training session. The antioxidant capacity and the levels of reactive oxygen metabolites on plasma were determined measuring Reactive Oxygen Metabolite and Biological Antioxidant Potential (d-ROMs and the BAP Test). Salivary cortisol was detected by using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The antioxidant capacity (BAP value) was significantly higher in elite basketball players (21.2%; p < 0.05). Conversely, cortisol (51%; p < 0.009) and the levels of oxidative species (d-ROM, 21.9%; p < 0.05) showed a significant decrease in elite athletes.

Comentário: Echocardiographic Characterization of Female Professional Basketball Players in the US

Este estudo publicado no JAMA Cardiology, por Shames S e colegas, teve como objetivo principal avaliar a estrutura e a função cardíaca por ecocardiograma transtorácico em basquetebolistas do género feminino. A sua relevância prende-se com a escassez de dados sobre a remodelagem cardíaca nestas atletas, sub-representadas nos estudos prévios, comparativamente a atletas do género masculino. A ausência de valores de referência, especificamente em basquetebolistas e atletas com área de superficial corporal (ASC) semelhante, dificulta o diagnóstico diferencial entre remodelagem fisiológica e patológica, sobretudo miocardiopatias.

Analysis of the Competitive Activity Structure of Skilled Female Basketball Players

The study purpose was to examine, analyze, and generalize the competitive activity structure based on the hierarchy of technical and tactical indicators of skilled female basketball players in won and lost games using principal component analysis. Materials and methods. The study participants were 96 professional female basketball players, members of national teams of Spain, France, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, Latvia, Italy, and Slovakia, which took the 1st-8th places in the final tournament of the European Basketball Championship 2017. The study analyzed 16 main technical and tactical indicators of skilled female basketball players in 52 official games to examine and interpret the obtained results using principal component analysis. The total number of observations is 52. Results. The experimental indicators obtained during the study made it possible to examine and analyze the grouping of elements of the competitive activity structure of skilled female basketball players, to interpret the obtained results in order to define informative criteria for optimizing training and improving the competitive activity effectiveness. The study revealed considerable differences in the competitive activity structure in won and lost games: in accordance with the most significant indicators of factor loadings, the percentage of a sample of elements that correlate with one another is: for won games – 67.40%, for lost games – 69.52%. Conclusions. Principal component analysis is quite effective and informative for studying the competitive activity structure of skilled female basketball players. It was demonstrated that the greatest difficulties in studying the competitive activity structure in basketball using principal component analysis are the selection of indicators that do not duplicate one another and are not calculated, expert interpretation of the obtained results, and algorithmization of special analysis of technical and tactical indicators.

Defensive Strategy and Player Sex Impact Heart-Rate Responses During Games-Based Drills in Professional Basketball.

Games-based drills (GBD) are the predominant form of training stimulus prescribed to male and female basketball players. Despite being readily manipulated during GBD, the impact of defensive strategy on the sex-specific demands of GBD remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify and compare the heart-rate (HR) responses experienced during 5v5 GBD using different defensive strategies (man-to-man defense vs zone defense [ZD] formations) according to player sex. HR was recorded in 11 professional male and 10 professional female basketball players while performing 5v5 GBD with different defensive strategies (man-to-man defense or ZD). HR-based training load was also calculated using the summated heart-rate zones model. During man-to-man defense, mean HR (ηp2=.02), relative time (in percentage) spent working at 90% to 100% maximal HR (ηp2=.03), and summated heart-rate zones (ηp2=.02) were greater (P < .05) in female players compared with males. During ZD, higher (P < .01) peak HR (ηp2=.07), mean HR (ηp2=.11), relative and absolute (in minutes) time spent working at 80% to 89% maximal HR (ηp2=.03 and .03, respectively) and 90% to 100% maximal HR (ηp2=.12 and .09, respectively), and summated heart-rate zones (ηp2=.19) were observed in female players compared with males. The defensive strategy employed during 5v5 full-court GBD influences HR responses and training load differently according to sex, where female players experience higher HR responses than males, especially when ZD are adopted. Basketball coaching staff can use these findings for the precise manipulation of team defenses during GBD to elicit desired cardiovascular stress on players.