The physical and physiological demands of basketball training and competition

Purpose: To characterize the physical and physiological responses during different basketball practice drills and games. Methods: Male basketball players (n = 11; 19.1 ±2.1 y, 1.91 ± 0.09 m, 87.9 ± 15.1 kg; mean ± SD) completed, offensive and defensive practice drills, half court 5on5 scrimmage play, and competitive games. Heart rate, V_O2 and triaxial accelerometer data (physical demand) were normalized for individual participation time. Data were log-transformed and differences between drills and games standardized for interpretation of magnitudes and reported with the effect size (ES) statistic. Results: There was no substantial difference in the physical or physiological variables between offensive and defensive drills; physical load (9.5%; 90% confidence limits ±45); mean heart rate (-2.4%; ±4.2); peak heart rate (-0.9%; ±3.4); and V_O2 (-5.7%; ±9.1). Physical load was moderately greater in game play compared with a 5on5 scrimmage (85.2%; ±40.5); with a higher mean heart rate (12.4%; ±5.4). The oxygen demand for live play was substantially larger than 5on5 (30.6%; ±15.6). Conclusions: Defensive and offensive drills during basketball practice have similar physiological responses and physical demand. Live play is substantially more demanding than a 5on5 scrimmage in both physical and physiological attributes. Accelerometers and predicted oxygen, cost from heart rate monitoring systems are useful for differentiating the practice and competition demands of basketball.