Quantification of training and competition load: comparative analysis by position in a Spanish Golden Basketball League team

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to quantify and analyze the training and competition load of the players of a professional basketball team in “LEB Oro” category. During the study, objective and subjective load analysis processes have been carried out through daily Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) questionnaires and control of total training and competition minutes, getting variables of average, weekly and total load, training monotony and training fatigue indexes and acute: chronic workload ratio. The training and competition load of 10 players from the same professional team (age = 27.2 ± 5.3 years; height = 196.4 ± 8.7 cm; weight = 91.1 ± 12.3 kg) was quantified by differentiating point guards, perimeter players (shooting guards and forwards) and inside players (center and power forward) during 21 weeks of training. The main results of the present study showed a greater perception of the load for the position of the point guards in comparison with the inside players and perimeter players. Most of the players in the squad were kept in an optimal or sweet point state throughout the first part of the season, which means a decrease in the fatigue and risk of injury due to this monitoring and control of the load. This study will be useful for coaches and physical trainers when choosing different tools to carry out a correct quantification and interpretation of the training load in a team sport such as basketball.