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Abstract: Stojanović, E, Stojiljković, N, Stanković, R, Scanlan, AT, Dalbo, VJ, and Milanović, Z. Recreational basketball small-sided games elicit high-intensity exercise with low perceptual demand. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3151-3157, 2021-The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the internal and external load imposed on players during 1-a-side, 2-a-side, and 3-a-side recreational basketball small-sided games (SSGs). Twelve recreationally active, male college students were monitored across 10 minutes of 1-a-side, 2-a-side, and 3-a-side basketball SSG. Internal load variables included continuous measurement of heart rate (HR) responses, as well as rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate concentration (BLa), after each game. External load variables included measurement of the total distance covered as well as the frequency of accelerations and decelerations. Blood lactate concentration and RPE were moderately (p < 0.05) greater in 1-a-side SSG than 3-a-side SSG. Total accelerations and decelerations were higher in 1-a-side and 2-a-side SSG compared with 3-a-side SSG (p < 0.05, moderate-large). All SSG formats resulted in players spending more time (p < 0.05, moderate-large) at higher HR intensities (81-100% HRmax) than lower intensities (≤80% HRmax). Furthermore, players covered greater distances (p < 0.05, large-very large) at lower intensities (0-12 km·h-1) and completed more accelerations and decelerations (p < 0.05, large-very large) at lower intensities (<2 m·s-2) than at higher intensities across SSG formats. Basketball SSG consisting of 1-3 players elicits an intermittent activity profile, promoting the extensive utilization of anaerobic and aerobic metabolism pathways, which potentially can lead to marked improvements in cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness in the general population when administered in recreational settings. Moreover, recreational basketball SSG with only 1 player per team elicits higher BLa, RPE, distances covered at low speeds as well as acceleration and deceleration volumes than SSG with 3 players per team., (Copyright © 2019 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Stojanović, E, Aksović, N, Stojiljković, N, Stanković, R, Scanlan, AT, and Milanović, Z. Reliability, usefulness, and factorial validity of change-of-direction speed tests in adolescent basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3162-3173, 2019-The purposes of this study were to (1) determine the reliability, usefulness, and factorial validity of change-of-direction speed (CODS) tests in adolescent basketball players and (2) evaluate positional differences in test performances. Elite, adolescent male basketball players (n = 53; 17.3 ± 1.0 years) completed 6 CODS tests: "Lane Arrow Closeout," "Lane Agility Drill," "Reactive Shuttle Test," "Run-Shuffle-Run," "Compass Drill," and "Modified 505 Test." Players completed 3 trials of each test. All tests demonstrated acceptable reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.50-0.88; coefficient of variation: 5.1-7.9%). The typical error (TE) calculated for each test was above the smallest worthwhile change, rating the usefulness of all tests as marginal. The principal component factor analysis in all tests resulted in the extraction of one significant component that explained 74% of the total variance across tests. Positional comparisons showed that backcourt (guards) players performed better (small to moderate differences) in all CODS tests compared with frontcourt (forwards and centers) players. All tests were deemed reliable and valid in adolescent basketball players. The "Lane Agility Drill" and "Run-Shuffle-Run" tests seem the most appropriate to quantify changes in CODS possessing the lowest TE, whereas the "Lane Arrow Closeout" and "Lane Agility Drill" tests are the most sensitive in detecting positional differences.

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in physical performance after a 6-week skill-based conditioning training program in male competitive volleyball players. Sixteen male volleyball players (mean ± SD: age 22.3 ± 3.7 years, body height 190.7 ± 4.2 cm, and body mass 78.4 ± 4.5 kg) participated in this study. The players were tested for sprinting (5- and 10-m sprint), agility, and jumping performance (the vertical-jump test, the spike-jump test, and the standing broad jump [SBJ]). Compared with pretraining, there was a significant improvement in the 5- and 10-m speed. There were no significant differences between pretraining and posttraining for lower-body muscular power (vertical-jump height, spike-jump height, and SBJ) and agility. Based on our results, it could be concluded that a preseason skill-based conditioning program does not offer a sufficient stimulus for volleyball players. Therefore, a general conditioning and hypertrophy training along with specific volleyball conditioning is necessary in the preseason period for the development of the lower-body strength, agility and speed performance in volleyball players.