Inside the Defensive Playbook: Pick-and-Roll Tactical Adjustments Impact the External and Internal Loads During Small-Sided Games in Female Basketball Players.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of playing different pick-and-roll (PnR) defensive tactical options during small-sided games (SSGs) on external and internal loads in female basketball players.

Methods: Twelve female basketball players (age 28 [2] y; stature 175 [6] cm; body mass 65 [7] kg; playing experience 18 [4] y) belonging to a team competing in the Lithuanian second division were recruited for this study. Across 3 experimental sessions and in a randomized order, players performed 3 SSGs sharing the same features but using 3 defensive strategies on the middle PnR action: Switch, Trap, and Drop.

Is foam rolling as effective as its popularity suggests? A randomised crossover study exploring post-match recovery in female basketball.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of foam rolling as a post-match recovery tool in basketball. Using a crossover design, 13 female players completed two simulated matches, followed by foam rolling (FR) or placebo (CON). Countermovement jump height (CMJ), heart rate variability (Ln-rMSSD), muscle soreness (VAS), perceived recovery (TQR) and fatigue (Rating-of-Fatigue) were recorded at pre-match, post-match, post-recovery and 24 h post-match.

Recreational 3 × 3 basketball elicits higher heart rate, enjoyment, and physical activity intensities but lower blood lactate and perceived exertion compared to HIIT in active young adults.

This study aimed to assess and compare the physiological [percentage of maximal heart rate (%HR), blood lactate (BLa), creatine kinase (CK)], hormonal (testosterone, cortisol), psychological [rating of perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment] and physical [percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (%MVPA) and vigorous activity (%VA)] responses of recreational 3 × 3 basketball (3 × 3BB) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in active young adults. Twelve apparently healthy male recreational basketball players (age: 23 ± 3 years; body mass: 82 ± 15 kg; stature: 188 ± 15 cm) completed a 3 × 3BB match and HIIT with similar duration. %HR, %MVPA and %VA were monitored during the protocols, while BLa, cortisol, and testosterone were measured before and after each protocol.

Investigation of readiness and perceived workload in junior female basketball players during a congested match schedule.

This study aimed to: a) investigate the differences in workload and readiness between two junior female national basketball teams competing at different European Championships (EC); b) compare workload, readiness and match performance for players with longer and shorter playing times, and; c) examine the relationship between workload, readiness and match performance variables. Under-18 (U18) (n = 10, height = 179.9 ± 6.

Investigating the workload, readiness and physical performance changes during intensified 3-week preparation periods in female national Under18 and Under20 basketball teams.

This study aimed to investigate between- and within-team changes in workload [PlayerLoad (PL), training impulse (TRIMP) and session rate of perceived exertion training load (sRPE-TL)], readiness [heart rate variability (HRV)], and physical performance [20-m sprint test (including 10-m split time), countermovement jump (CMJ) and yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIR1)] during 3-week intensified preparation periods in female, national Under18 (n = 12, age = 18.0 ± 0.5y, stature = 180.

Monitoring Workload in Elite Female Basketball Players During the In-Season Phase: Weekly Fluctuations and Effect of Playing Time.

Purpose: To assess the weekly fluctuations in workload and differences in workload according to playing time in elite female basketball.

Methods: Twenty-nine female basketball players (mean ± standard deviation, age: 21±5yr; stature: 181±7cm; body mass: 71±7kg; and playing experience: 12±5yr) belonging to the 7 female basketball teams competing in the first division Lithuanian Women's Basketball League (LMKL) were recruited. Individualized training loads (TL) and game loads (GL) were assessed using the session-RPE following each training session and game during the entire in-season phase (24 weeks).

Does Emotional Intelligence Predict Athletes' Motivation to Participate in Sports?

The relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and successful athletic performance has been previously recognized, but there remains a need to investigate how EI impacts athletes' sports motivation. This cross-sectional study investigated how different EI dimensions related to athletes' motivation among 239 adult basketball players (129 females) aged 18-34 years. Our research participants completed questionnaires that included the self-reported Emotional Intelligence Scale and Sport Motivation Scale II.

Exploring the effects of substituting basketball players in high-level teams.

Substituting basketball players during competition is a key process to optimise collective performance. Available research on this topic is scarce, probably due to the difficulty in isolating these effects; thus, the aim of this study was to identify the temporal effects of substitutions in basketball (Spanish professional basketball league). The sample was composed of 1118 substitutions gathered from 21 basketball games.