Load Dynamics in Basketball: Insights from Wins and Losses

The purpose of the present study was to: determine differences in external and internal load in professional male basketball players between winning and losing game outcomes during official in-season games; identify differences in external and internal loads between backcourt and frontcourt players in both winning and losing games; and examine if load variables impact the Performance Index Rating (PIR). Using the performance monitoring system (Kinexon), 20 player load metrics were analysed for eight athletes. Paired sample t-tests or their nonparametric equivalents, independent sample t-tests or their nonparametric equivalents, and stepwise regression analysis were used to examine statistically significant differences and determine the association of load variables with PIR. The results revealed no significant differences between the winning and losing game outcomes in external and internal load metrics on a general and partial level. However, significant differences were observed between backcourt and frontcourt players in both winning and losing matches. Training impulse, average heart rate, and Sprints explained 53% (adjusted R2=0.53, p<0.001) of the variance in PIR of backcourt players, while Accumulated Acceleration Load and number of Accelerations explained 46% (adjusted R2=0.462, p=0.02) of the variance in PIR of frontcourt players. While player loads did not directly impact game outcomes, they did affect players' PIR and varied by playing position. These insights are valuable for the head coach and the team's strength and conditioning personnel and could aid in the development of tailored training programs to enhance player performance and recovery.