Game vs. Practice Differences in External Load in U16 and U18 Women's Basketball Players.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Basketball Performance Analysis

Background:

• Understanding external load differences is crucial for optimizing training and preventing injuries in young athletes.
• Previous research has focused on adult athletes, leaving a gap in knowledge for adolescent basketball players.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare external load metrics between practice and official games in U16 and U18 female basketball players.
• To analyze differences in external load metrics between U16 and U18 age groups.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-six female basketball players (19 U16, 17 U18) participated.
• An inertial measurement unit system (Kinexon) was used to collect data at 20 Hz during practices and games.
• Dependent and independent t-tests were employed for statistical analysis (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• Game external loads (distance, speed, accelerations/decelerations) were significantly higher than practice loads for both U16 and U18 players.
• Game-induced external load was consistent between U16 and U18 levels.
• U18 players exhibited greater time and distance in low-speed zones during practice compared to U16 players, indicating enhanced movement efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Game participation significantly increases external load compared to practice in adolescent female basketball.
• While game load is similar across U16 and U18 levels, practice reveals age-related differences in movement efficiency, with U18 players demonstrating superior efficiency.