External Load Monitoring in Female Basketball: A Systematic Review

The primary aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current state of research in relation to external load monitoring in female basketball. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA-P® statement. Publications included in the review: 1) were original research, 2) evaluated healthy female basketball players, and 3) monitored basketball practice and competition. The STROBE scale was used to assess quality. A total of 40 publications were included. The external load was assessed during practice (n = 9), competition (n = 11) or both events (n = 8). Also, time- motion analysis was implemented in practice (n = 2), competition (n = 9), or both events (n = 1). Accelerometry (n = 28) and time-motion (n = 12) analysis were the most frequently used methods. However, a wide range in methods and variables were used to quantify the external load. Placement of devices on the upper back and measuring with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz were most common. Player Load (PL) values increased with the competitive level of players and were higher in competition compared to training. Small-sided games can be used to gradually increase loads in female basketball (PL 5v5: 34.8 ± 8, PL 3v3: 47.6 ± 7.4, TD 5v5: 209.2 ± 35.8 m, and TD 3v3: 249.3 ± 2.8 m). Tasks without defense seemed to be less demanding. More research is needed to reach a consensus on load control in women's basketball, on what data are important to collect, and how to use and transfer knowledge to stakeholders

Monitoring Internal Load in Women’s Basketball via Subjective and Device-Based Methods: A Systematic Review

The monitoring of internal load in basketball can be used to understand the effects and potential physiological adaptations caused by external load. The main aim of this systematic review was to identify the methods and variables used to quantify internal load in female basketball. The studies included different populations and events: youth athletes, elite, and amateur players. Subjective methods included using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method, and sensor-based methods included monitoring the cardiac response to exercise, using heart rate (HR) as the primary metric. The results showed that the HRAvg exhibited a wider range of values during training than during competition, and different metrics were used to evaluate internal load, such as HRMax, HRmin, %HRMax, total time and % of time spent in different HR zones (2–8 zones), Banister’s TRIMP, and summated HR zones. RPE and HR metrics were the most commonly used methods. However, the use of multiple metrics with little standardization resulted in significant heterogeneity among studies, limiting meaningful comparisons. The review provides a reference for current research on female basketball. Future research could address this limitation by adopting more consistent measurement protocols standardizing the use of metrics.J.E-L. was a predoctoral researcher supported by a grant within the field of physical education, physical activity, and sports and its applied sciences given to the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB) (2020 PINEFC 00012). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Monitorización de la carga de entrenamiento y competición en baloncesto femenino: jóvenes y alto nivel

[spa] Esta tesis doctoral se centra en la monitorización de la carga de entrenamiento y competición en el baloncesto femenino, utilizando tecnología para optimizar el rendimiento y reducir el riesgo de lesiones. Compuesta por cuatro estudios científicos, incluye dos revisiones sistemáticas sobre demanda física y respuesta fisiológica, un estudio de carga de entrenamiento con jugadoras jóvenes de alto nivel y un protocolo de investigación para la monitorización de competiciones oficiales en un equipo semiprofesional. Los resultados destacan la importancia de consensuar métodos y métricas de monitorización, teniendo en cuenta las características específicas de las deportistas femeninas, como las fluctuaciones hormonales del ciclo menstrual, para mejorar la carga tanto en entrenamientos como en competiciones.[eng] Women's basketball, in both 5x5 and 3x3 formats, is a global sport requiring high intensity, technical skills, and tactical knowledge in a dynamic environment. Performance evaluation ranges from basic game actions (points, rebounds) to advanced statistics (game pace, involvement) and conditional aspects (total distance, high-intensity actions). Monitoring training and competition load using technology aims to optimize training and reduce injury risk, which is the primary focus of this doctoral thesis. It studies the methods, metrics, and reported values in the literature for monitoring load in women's basketball at different competitive levels. The thesis comprises four studies employing various methodologies. First, two systematic reviews summarize and analyze evidence on physical demands and physiological responses in women's basketball, providing a comprehensive overview of load monitoring tools. Second, a study on training load monitoring with young high-level players examines the relationship between load constructs, physical demands, and physiological responses. Lastly, a research protocol for monitoring official competitions in a semi-professional adult team analyzes the relationship between physical demands measured by inertial sensors and game performance indicators. The systematic reviews included 40 publications on external load and 44 on internal load. External load studies focused on training (n=11), games (n=20), or both (n=9), primarily using inertial sensors (n=28/40). The "Player Load" (PL) metric highlighted higher physical demands in higher-level players. Internal load methods primarily used perceived exertion (RPE) (n=28/44) and heart rate monitoring (HR) (n=27/44), with training HR averages showing a wider range than game HR, reflecting game intensity. The training load study observed broad ranges in external load values, such as total accelerations (1767.0 ± 385.5) and maximum accelerations (258.0 ± 82.2), with strong correlations between total accelerations and Banister's training impulses (0.8). A strong correlation was also noted between total accelerations and HR zone summation models (SHRZ) and perceived exertion (sRPE). This thesis enhances understanding of methods, metrics, and reference values for load monitoring in women's basketball, facilitating load optimization in training and competition. Future research should establish consensus on these references, considering specific characteristics of female athletes, such as menstrual cycle hormonal fluctuations affecting physiological markers and load perception

Correction: Cebrián-Ponce et al. Bioelectrical, Anthropometric, and Hematological Analysis to Assess Body Fluids and Muscle Changes in Elite Cyclists during the Giro d’Italia. <i>Biology</i> 2023, <i>12</i>, 450

In the original publication [...

Body fluids and muscle changes in trail runners of various distances

Background This study aims to investigate body fluids and muscle changes evoked by different trail races using anthropometric, bioelectrical, and creatine kinase (CK) measurements. Methods A total of 92 subjects (55 men, 37 women) participating in three different races of 14, 35, and 52 km were evaluated before (PRE) and after (POST) the races. Classic bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was applied at the whole-body level (WB-BIVA). Additionally, muscle-localized bioelectrical assessments (ML-BIVA) were performed in a subgroup of 11 men (in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves). PRE-POST differences and correlations between bioelectrical values and CK, running time and race distance were tested. Results Changes in whole-body vectors and phase angles disclosed an inclination towards dehydration among men in the 14, 35, and 52 km groups (p < 0.001), as well as among women in the 35 and 52 km groups (p < 0.001). PRE Z/H was negatively correlated with running time in the 35 km men group and 14 km women group (r = −0.377, p = 0.048; r = −0.751, p = 0.001; respectively). POST Z/H was negatively correlated with running time in the 14 km women group (r = −0.593, p = 0.02). CK was positively correlated with distance in men and women (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with reactance and vector length in the 14 km men group (p < 0.05). ML-BIVA echoed the same tendency as the WB-BIVA in the 35 and 52 km runners, with the most notable changes occurring in the calves (p < 0.001). Conclusions WB-BIVA and CK measurements underscored a conspicuous trend towards post-race dehydration and muscle damage, displaying a weak association with performance. Notably, ML-BIVA detected substantial alterations primarily in the calves. The study underscores the utility of BIVA as a technique to assess athlete’s body composition changes

Body fluids and muscle changes in trail runners of various distances

Dataset from the study titled: "Body fluids and muscle changes in trail runners of various distances" The dataset includes data from: participant's characteristics, bioelectrical and hematological values before and after the race, and anthropometrical data