The Relationships Between Training-Load Models in 3 × 3 Basketball Games

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Basketball Performance Analysis
• Physiological Load Monitoring

Background:

• 3x3 basketball is a rapidly growing sport with unique demands.
• Understanding player load is crucial for performance and injury prevention.
• Existing research on load quantification in 3x3 basketball is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the relationships between different load models in official 3x3 basketball games.
• To investigate the correlation between external load (Movement Load) and internal loads (SHRZ, sRPE).
• To examine the relationship between physiological load (SHRZ) and perceived load (sRPE).

Main Methods:

• Forty-one male players were monitored during three 3x3 tournaments.
• External load (Movement Load) and physiological load (summated-heart-rate-zones [SHRZ]) were measured using microsensors.
• Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was used to quantify perceived load.

Main Results:

• A very large correlation was found between Movement Load and SHRZ (r = .76).
• A large correlation existed between Movement Load and sRPE (r = .57).
• A moderate correlation was observed between SHRZ and sRPE (r = .47).

Conclusions:

• Significant relationships exist between external and internal load variables in 3x3 basketball.
• Practitioners can use these findings to predict player responses to game loads.
• This data aids in optimizing training-load prescription for 3x3 basketball athletes.