The relationship between external and internal load parameters in 3 × 3 basketball tournaments

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Physiology

Background:

• 3x3 basketball involves intense accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and jumps.
• Optimal player regeneration is vital for sustained high performance in tournament formats.
• Understanding internal load effects on muscles is crucial for training and recovery strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze muscular responses of the m. rectus femoris (RF) and m. gastrocnemius medialis (GC) to 3x3 basketball game and tournament loads.
• To investigate changes in muscle contractility as an indicator of internal load.
• To determine if external game load impacts muscle contractility in elite 3x3 athletes.

Main Methods:

• Inertial movement analysis was used to quantify external load during 3x3 games.
• Tensiomyography (TMG) measured changes in muscle contractility of RF and GC.
• Jump and change-of-direction (COD) tests assessed off-game performance before the tournament.

Main Results:

• GC muscle contractility showed higher baseline TMG values than post-game measurements.
• RF muscle contractility varied (decreased or increased) after single 3x3 games.
• No significant correlations were found between external load and internal load parameters.
• No systematic changes in RF and GC muscle contractility were observed throughout the tournament.

Conclusions:

• External 3x3 game load and performance levels did not significantly affect muscle contractility in this study.
• Elite athletes may resist external load without substantial local muscular fatigue.
• Breaks between games in a tournament appear adequate for muscle contractility recovery.