The aim of this research was to examine the demands of competitive basketball games and to study the relationship between athletes' physical capability and game performance. Physical and physiological game demands and the association of relevant field test with game performance were examined in 18 male junior basketball players. Computerized time-motion analysis, heart rate (HR), and blood-lactate concentration [BL] measurements were performed during 6 basketball games. Players were also measured for explosive power, speed, agility, and maximal-strength and endurance performance. During the games, players covered 7,558 +/- 575 m, of which 1,743 +/- 317; 1,619 +/- 280; and 2,477 +/- 339 m were performed at high, moderate, and low intensities, respectively. The 19.3 +/- 3.5 and 56.0 +/- 6.3% of the playing time was spent above 95% and at 85-95% of maximal HR, respectively. Average and mean peak [BL] were 5.75 +/- 1.25 and 6.22 +/- 1.34 mmolxL, respectively. Distances covered at maximal- and high-speed running significantly (p < 0.01) decreased during the second half. Game maximal- and high-speed running were significantly correlated with endurance performance (r = 0.52, p < 0.05 and r = 0.49, p < 0.05, respectively). High-intensity shuffling distance resulted in being negatively related with agility (r = -0.68, p < 0.05). This study showed that basketball players experience fatigue as game time progresses and suggests the potential benefit of aerobic and agility conditioning in junior basketball.

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The metabolic demands among U-19 basketball players were studied; however, physical and physiological demands of U-19 basketball refereeing during competition are rather scant. The aim of this study was to analyze the energy expenditure (EE) and the exercise intensity of basketball refereeing during official game and determined as Metabolic Equivalent (METs). Sixteen elite level basketball referees were studied during U-19 basketball games (n=8) for time motion analyses (TMA). The EE data were calculated, using specific equations, from the time spent by the referee in each exercise-intensity zone. During game, referees spent a mean EE of 504.4 ± 77.7 kcal. A significant difference was observed between 113.5 ± 18.2 kcal in the 1st quarter (Q1) and 137 ± 27.5 kcal in the Q4 (p=0.007). The averaged EE (~5 kcal.kg -1 .h -1 ) corresponded to "moderate energy intensity" (~5 METs) with a large contribution of the aerobic energy pathway. In all, during 88% of game the intensity was equal or lower than 3.8 METs and in 12% it was higher than 9.8 METs which were considered as low to high-intensity thresholds, respectively. The energetic profile studied in this research confirms that basketball refereeing may be regarded as a clearly intermittent-activity mode with a predominantly aerobic metabolism solicitation. Referees officiating in U-19 basketball games should carry out a physical conditioning regime that prepares them for such an effort.

In light of this study, we conclude that U-19 basketball refereeing is a moderate intensity activity where referees spent 81% of total game time at low-intensity with bouts of high-intensity activities throughout the game.