Monitoring training loads in professional basketball players engaged in a periodized training programme

The aims of this study were to investigate the dynamics of external (eTL) and internal (iTL) training loads during seasonal periods and examine the effect of a periodized training programme on physical performance in professional basketball players. Repeated measures for 9 players (28±6 yr; 199±8 cm; 101±12 kg) were collected from 45 training sessions, over a 6-wk pre-season phase and a 5-wk in-season phase. Physical tests were conducted at baseline (T1), week 4 (T2) and week 9 (T3). Differences in means are presented as % ± Confident Limits (CL). A very likely difference was observed during in-season compared to pre-season for the eTL variables measured by GPS: mechanical load (13.5±8.8) and peak acceleration (11.0±11.2) respectively. Regarding iTL responses, a very large decrement in TRIMP (most likely difference, -20.6±3.8) and in session-RPE training load (very likely difference, -14.2±9.0) was detected from pre-season to in-season. Physical performance improved from T1 to T3 for: Yo-Yo Intermittent-Recovery Test 1, 62.2±34.3, ES>1.2; Countermovement Jump, 8.8±6.1, ES>0.6; and Squat Jump, 14.8±10.2, ES>0.8. Heart rate (HR; % HRpeak) exercise responses during a submaximal running test decreased from T1 to T3 (3.2±4.3, ES<0.6), as well as the HR recovery after the test (14.7±8.8, ES>1.2). These results provide valuable information to coaches about training loads and physical performance across different seasonal periods. The data demonstrate that both eTL and iTL measures should be monitored in association with physical tests to provide a comprehensive understanding of the training process.