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This study aimed to assess and compare the physiological [percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax), 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 x 3 basketball (3 x 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 x 3BB match and HIIT with similar duration. %HRmax, %MVPA and %VA were monitored during the protocols, while BLa, cortisol, and testosterone were measured before and after each protocol. CK was measured before the protocols and at 24 h, while RPE and enjoyment were assessed at the end of each protocol. 3 x 3BB elicited higher %HRmax (p < 0.001; d = -1.6, large), %MVPA (p < 0.001; d = 2.7, very large), %VA (p = 0.030; d = 0.8, moderate), enjoyment (p = 0.014; r-value = -0.500, large), and lower RPE (p = 0.024; r-value = -0.462, moderate) compared to the HIIT condition. Moreover, higher values of BLa were found in HIIT compared to 3 x 3BB at post-condition (p = 0.020; r-value = -0.601, large), while CK analysis showed only an increase within the HIIT condition (p = 0.020; r-value = -0.599, large). A time effect was found for both testosterone (p < 0.001, η² p = 0.526, moderate) and cortisol (p = 0.005, η² p = 0.743, strong), while no between-condition effect or interaction was found (p > 0.05). 3 x 3BB elicits higher %HRmax, enjoyment, and physical activity intensities but lower BLa and RPE compared to HIIT in active young adults and might be considered as a potentially suitable activity to increase participants' health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the technical-tactical, perceptual and mental demands of basketball small-sided games (SSGs). Twelve male semi-professional players participated in four half-court 3vs3 SSGs characterized by different tactical tasks (offensive; defensive) and training regimes (long-intermittent; shortintermittent). The SSGs were video-recorded to perform notational analysis of technical-tactical parameters. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE, CR-100 scale), mental effort (ME) and e njoyment were collected after completion of each SSG. Before and after the SSGs, players reported their perceived mental fatigue (MF); for this indicator, the difference between post- and pre-SSG values was calculated (ΔMF). Notational analysis evidenced a higher volume of play (ball possessions, ball possessions per minute) [large effect size (ES)], dribbles and shot attempts (moderate ES) in short-intermittent regimes compared to long-intermittent. Two-way (tactical task; training regime) repeated-measures ANOVA showed an interaction effect for RPE (moderate ES). Players reported that playing the offensive task required higher mental effort compared to playing defence (moderate ES), while no differences for mental effort were found between regimes. Enjoyment did not differ between tasks or regimes. No effects were found for ΔMF, while this indicator was significantly correlated with RPE scores (r= 0.50, large). This study suggests that, in basketball SSGs, shorter regimes induce higher technical demands, while tactical tasks influence perceived exertion responses and mental effort. Furthermore, perceived exertion appears significantly associated with variations of mental fatigue induced by training drills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of block periodization (BP) and traditional periodization (TP) approaches on jumping and sprinting performance in collegiate basketball players during an 8-week pre-season period. Ten collegiate male basketball players (mean±SD; age: 21.5±1.7 years; body mass: 83.5±8.9 kg; stature: 192.5±5.4 cm) from the same team were equally assigned to a training group (BP or TP). BP and TP were designed with different numbers of power sessions (BP=8; TP=16) and recovery days (BP=14; TP=8). Counter-movement jump (CMJ) and 20-m sprint performance was measured prior to training commencement (baseline) and every 2 weeks thereafter (week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8). Within-group, between-group and individual changes were assessed using magnitude-based statistics. Substantially higher ( likely positive) CMJ scores were evident in week 8 compared to baseline, week 2 and week 4 with BP training. Substantially higher CMJ values were only observed in week 2 ( likely positive) compared to baseline, with TP training. Sprint data showed likely negative differences in week 6 compared to baseline in both TP and BP, with no substantial differences in week 8. The only performance difference between TP and BP training was in CMJ in week 8 ( very likely negative). Individual analysis showed that only three athletes demonstrated a negative predicted score (i.e. lower sprinting time) in BP, while all players following the TP model demonstrated positive predicted scores. BP training showed substantially higher jumping performance compared to TP, while no improvement in sprinting performance was observed in either training approach. Basketball coaches should consider using BP training rather than TP to train players' jumping abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of block and traditional periodization preseason preparation on advanced players' jumping and sprinting dynamics during the simulated basketball games. Methods. Ten college-level males (age (mean ± standard deviation (SD)), 21.5 ± 1.7 years; weight, 83.5 ± 8.9 kg; height, 192.5 ± 5.4 cm) were divided into two teams according to the training model: block periodization (BP) and traditional periodization (TP). Block periodization (BP) consisted of the following blocks: aerobic endurance (AE), power endurance (PE), basketball specific aerobic endurance (BSAE), and power (P). Both groups played a simulated basketball game with each other before and after preseason preparation. Vertical countermovement jump and 20 meters sprint were measured before each simulated game and after each quarter of the game. Results. In BP, the 8 weeks of preseason training resulted in elevated vertical jump and 20 meters sprint dynamics during simulated games (p < .05). Conclusion. We conclude that 8 weeks of block periodization enhanced leg power production and sprint abilities during simulated games and therefore is more effective than traditional periodization model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]