Fluctuations In External Peak Demands Across Quarters During Basketball Games

Pérez-Chao EA, Gómez MÁ, Lisboa P, Trapero J, Jiménez SL, Lorenzo A

The purpose of this study was to compare external peak demands (PD) across quarters (Q) in 15 basketball. Thirteen elite, junior, male basketball players were monitored using electronic performance tracking systems. Intervals for different time windows were studied to determine the external PD for distance (m); player load; distance covered in four different zones, accelerations, and decelerations. A Mixed Linear Model was run to identify differences among quarters, and the autocorrelation function was carried out to determine fluctuations across the whole game.

The results showed significant differences between Q1 vs Q2 for distance, player load, and standing-walking distance; between Q1 vs Q3 for distance, player load, and HSR; between Q1 vs Q4 for distance, player load, standing-walking, and HSR; and between Q3 vs Q4 for distance and player load. These findings suggest that external PD for running-based demands (distance, player load, and high-speed running) decrease across basketball games with most notable declines occurring between the first and fourth quarters. Nevertheless, it is important to note that non-significant differences were found between quarters for several external PD variables (jogging, running, acceleration, and deceleration) across different time windows. Findings from the present study reinforce the importance of considering specific PD variables for different functions due to the specific insight they each provide.