Impact of Playing Middle and Side Pick-and-Roll Actions With Aggressive and Containing Defensive Strategies on Workload During Small-Sided Games in Male Basketball Players.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of executing different pick-and-roll (PnR) actions and performing different defensive strategies on workloads during basketball small-sided games.

Methods: Twelve male basketball players (age: 21 [3] y; stature: 192 [5] cm; body mass: 84 [9] kg) completed 4 randomized small-sided games including PnRs executed on 2 court positions (ie, middle and side PnR) and 2 defensive strategies (ie, aggressive [ie, trap] and containing [ie, drop and ice for middle and side PnR, respectively] strategy). PlayerLoad and number of accelerations, decelerations, and changes of direction are classified as low (<2.

Assessing the External Load Associated With High-Intensity Activities Recorded During Official Basketball Games.

Load monitoring in basketball is fundamental to develop training programs, maximizing performance while reducing injury risk. However, information regarding the load associated with specific activity patterns during competition is limited. This study aimed at assessing the external load associated with high-intensity activities recorded during official basketball games, with respect to different (1) activity patterns, (2) playing positions, and (3) activities performed with or without ball.