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AbstractBackground It is crucial to balance load and recovery during short-term match congestion in basketball. Currently, it is unknown if higher total load during short-term match congestion lead to higher injury and illness rates.Objective Aim of this study was to compare injuries and illnesses and total weekly load during 1-match weeks compared to ≥2-match weeks in basketball.Design During this prospective observational study, players were monitored during a full season.Setting Two basketball teams participating in the domestic-league championship, CUP matches and Euro league were followed.Patients (or Participants) Sixteen elite male professional basketball players participated in this study. Characteristics of the players were (mean±SD): age 24.8±2.0 years, height 195.8±7.5 cm, weight 94.8±14.0 kg, body fat 11.9±5.0% and VO2max 51.9±5.3 mL·kg−1·min−1.Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) In total 47 matches by basketball team A (9 players) and 41 matches by team B (7 players) were performed throughout the season. All training sessions and matches were executed as prescribed by the training and coaching staff without interference or manipulation.Main Outcome Measurements The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Questionnaire on Health Problems was used to collect data on injuries and illnesses on a weekly base. Furthermore, players filled in s-RPE and duration for each training and match. Prevalence’s, severity scores, time-loss and total weekly load were compared for 1-match weeks and ≥2-match weeks. The data were analyzed using multi-level modeling.Results Prevalence of injuries and illnesses were 18.1% and 4.6% for 1-match weeks and 17.2% and 3.3% for ≥2-match weeks. Severity scores and time-loss were not significantly different for 1-match weeks compared to ≥2-match weeks. Total weekly load was lower during ≥2-match weeks compared to 1-match weeks.Conclusions No significant differences for injuries and illnesses were observed between 1-match weeks and ≥2-match weeks. Coaches appeared to reduce training load to compensate for multiple matches during short-term match congestion.
During intensified phases of competition, attunement of exertion and recovery is crucial to maintain performance. Although a mismatch between coach and player perceptions of training load is demonstrated, it is unknown if these discrepancies also exist for match exertion and recovery. Purpose: To determine match exertion and subsequent recovery and to investigate the extent to which the coach is able to estimate players’ match exertion and recovery. Methods: Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and total quality of recovery (TQR) of 14 professional basketball players (age 26.7 ± 3.8 y, height 197.2 ± 9.1 cm, weight 100.3 ± 15.2 kg, body fat 10.3% ± 3.6%) were compared with observations of the coach. During an in-season phase of 15 matches within 6 wk, players gave RPEs after each match. TQR scores were filled out before the first training session after the match. The coach rated observed exertion (ROE) and recovery (TQ-OR) of the players. Results: RPE was lower than ROE (15.6 ± 2.3 and 16.1 ± 1.4; P = .029). Furthermore, TQR was lower than TQ-OR (12.7 ± 3.0 and 15.3 ± 1.3; P < .001). Correlations between coach- and player-perceived exertion and recovery were r = .25 and r = .21, respectively. For recovery within 1 d the correlation was r = .68, but for recovery after 1–2 d no association existed. Conclusion: Players perceive match exertion as hard to very hard and subsequent recovery reasonable. The coach overestimates match exertion and underestimates degree of recovery. Correspondence between coach and players is thus not optimal. This mismatch potentially leads to inadequate planning of training sessions and decreases in performance during fixture congestion in basketball.
In elite basketball, players are exposed to intensified competition periods when participating in both national and international competitions. How coaches manage training between matches and in reference to match scheduling for a full season is not yet known. Purpose: First, to compare load during short-term match congestion (ie, ≥2-match weeks) with regular competition (ie, 1-match weeks) in elite male professional basketball players. Second, to determine changes in well-being, recovery, neuromuscular performance, and injuries and illnesses between short-term match congestion and regular competition. Methods: Sixteen basketball players (age 24.8 [2.0] y, height 195.8 [7.5] cm, weight 94.8 [14.0] kg, body fat 11.9% [5.0%], VO2max 51.9 [5.3] mL·kg−1·min−1) were monitored during a full season. Session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) was obtained, and load was calculated (s-RPE × duration) for each training session or match. Perceived well-being (fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness, stress levels, and mood) and total quality of recovery were assessed each training day. Countermovement jump height was measured, and a list of injuries and illnesses was collected weekly using the adapted Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems. Results: Total load (training sessions and matches; P